HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/04/1999 FC minutesFINANCE COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting Dj?Ap*r November 4, 1999
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. and all members of the commission were present by
7:14 p.m. Those present included Chairman John Korn and Commissioners Charles Bennett, George
Busse, John Engel, Vince Grochocinski, Betty Launer, Tom Pekras, Ann Smilanic and Secretary Jim
Morrison. Village Manager Michael Janonis was also present, but left immediately following the
review of the Public Works Department budget proposal.
U. Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Engel noted that his last name had been misspelled in the minutes presented of both
the October 21, 1999 and October 27, 1999 meetings. Subject to correction of the misspelled name,
the minutes of both meetings were unanimously approved as submitted.
III. Review of Public Works Department Budget Presentation
Made at the October 27, 1999 meeting
Project Engineer - Commissioner Launer moved and Commissioner Engel seconded a motion that
the Commission support this proposed staff addition. The Village Manager noted that the addition
would be highly contributive to improving the building permit process, with particular relief to the
now overburdened Plan Examiner. Manager Janonis stated that the new position would, in effect,
be partly financed through dropping a proposed new administrative assistant in the Village Manager's
office. The motion was approved 9 - 0.
During discussion regarding the Project Engineer proposal and its effect on the permit process,
Commissioner Smilanic suggested that permit complaint records be maintained and made available
when permit issues are considered.
Electrician/Maintenance Person - Commissioner Busse moved and Commissioner Pekras seconded
a motion to approve this proposed staff addition. The Village Manager stated that it was not only a
need for electrical expertise that prompted the proposal, but an ongoing need for a jack-of-all-trades
person to help existing staff. The motion was approved 9 - 0.
During discussion of the need for ongoing maintenance, Commissioner Busse expressed his opinion
that the department should take a broad look at maintenance demands and not an item by item
comparison in considering the advisability of using outsourcing. He stated that outsourcing is
frequently cheaper than adding a full time worker with both wage and benefit costs. Commissioner
Launer stated that outsourcing should definitely be considered for recurring maintenance, such as
painting, and routine street maintenance. The Village Manager suggested that the issue be pursued
at the departmental reviews next year. None of the commissioners objected.
Commissioner Engel again questioned the proposed expenditure of $200,000 for Opus Pond
expansion. Commissioner Pekras had questioned the issue at the October 27 meeting and had been
advised by the department that, by agreement with the landowner, the Village must provide
expansion. However, the Village Manager stated that the matter has been reviewed since that meeting
and the expansion is not now required. The proposed funding will remain in the Capital Improvement
Fund.
Commissioner Smilanic asked when the annual report of both completed and scheduled roadwork
would be available. The Village Manager advised that it would be available next week.
The Village Manager exited the meeting.
IV. Reconsideration of the Commissioners Previous Actions on the Budget for Year 2000
In view of the fact that all of the commissioners were present at this meeting, which was not the case
at other recent budget meetings, the chairman briefly reviewed motions and significant position
statements taken at those meetings. No changes were made by the commission with the exception of
the following two departments:
Finance Department
Commissioner Busse moved and Commissioner Smilanic seconded a motion that the ceiling of the
General Fund remain at its current level, which is understood to be about 16% of annual General
Fund expenditures. Approval of this motion would negate a commission recommendation made at
the October 21 meeting to increase the ceiling to 25%.
Commissioner Smilanic stated that the argument for a fund increase was based on an expectation of
an income decrease, but, in her opinion, that is the time for an expense decrease and the citizens of
today should not be asked to pay for future shortages. Chairman Korn noted that the intent of the
increase proposal was to gradually increase the balance from occurring surplus and there was no intent
to increase taxes specifically to fund the increase. That raised the issue of rebates or, more
practically, reducing or not raising rates that give rise to a surplus. Commissioner Busse was of the
opinion that, if surpluses occur, the real estate tax rate should target some rate lower than at present
rather than increasing the General Fund.
The motion to retain the present ceiling was approved 5 - 4. This overrides the previous
recommendation for an increase.
Community Development Department
Commissioner Grochocinski raised the question of how Village activities or practices that result in
increased costs to the Village, such as the requirement for double inspections of reroofing jobs,
originate. Are increases such as the second inspection requirement approved by the Board? The
Commission would like to have further information available at its meeting in January.
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V. All members of the Commission concurred in an expression of appreciation to the Village staff for
the thoroughness of the budget preparation and presentation.
VI. Adjournment
JM/SM
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 9;
however; the chairman, at his own discretion, can cancel that meeting if budget issues do not seem
to warrant a meeting. The regular meeting dates of November 25 and December 23, 1999 have been
cancelled.
Respectfully submitted
es Morrison
Commissioner and Secretary
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