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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/1999 FC minutesFINANCE CONEMSSION Amended Minutes of the Meeting October 21, 1999 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. Those present included Chairman John Korn and Commissioners John Engel, Vince Grochocinski, Betty Launer, Jim Morrison and Ann Smilanic. Also present were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Finance Director Doug Ellsworth, and Deputy Finance Director Carol Widmer. Commissioners Chuck Bennett, George Busse and Tom Pekras were absent. H. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the August 26, 1999 meeting were approved as amended. III. Review of the October 14, 1999 Meeting The members of the Finance Commission identified the following issues within the proposed budgets of the Manager's Office, Finance Department and Human Services Department: Finance Department The Commission voted to support the upgrade of the part-time customer service clerk to full-time (6-0) The Commission voted to support the decision to gradually increase fund balance in the General Fund to 25 % (5-1). John Engel stated that he did not agree with using fund balance for the Route 83 overtime. Mr. Ellsworth explained that the expenditure is a one-time unique expenditure and it is proper to use fund balance for just that type of expenditure. Vince Grochocinski stated his support of using fund balance for this purpose. Ann Smilanic said that she doesn't agree with increasing fund balance to 25 %. She stated that the Village should not take taxpayers money today to pay for tomorrow's expenses. Betty Launer said that increasing the fund balance will permit realistic budgeting by not forcing the Village to pad the budget to protect against emergencies. ■ The Commission voted to support outsourcing water billing and vehicle sticker mailings when it is appropriate in terms of staff time and cost/benefit (6-0). ■ The Commission voted to support the purchase of modular office furniture for the Finance Department (6-0). Manager's Office ■ The Commission voted to support the upgrade of the part-time cable television production assistant to full-time status (4-0, 2 abstentions). Human Services Department ■ The Commission voted in favor of continuing the summer mentoring program another year (6-0). IV. Review of Proposed 2000 Village Budget Community Development, Police Department, Fire Department Community Development Director Bill Cooney, Deputy Community Development Director Mike Blue, Building Inspection Commissioner Bill George and Environmental Health Manager Bob Roels presented the proposed budget for the Community Development Department. In his overview, Bill Cooney reviewed the economic development activity that is currently taking place in the Village. Mr. Cooney mentioned that the Steak and Shake Restaurant is now open, and Borders Books and Menards are moving toward opening soon. The Village is looking forward to the completion of the Clocktower and Fannie May projects and corridor improvements are moving forward as planned. Mr. Cooney also stated that the department is continuing to concentrate on improving customer relations. The new Plans Examiner has helped streamline the permit process and work will continue on other improvements. The proposed 2000 Budget of $1,362,845 for Community Development is 1.2% higher than the 1999 Budget of $1,327,176. The department consists of three divisions: Building, Environmental Health, and Planning. Bill George, Bob Roels and Mike Blue each described some of the 1999 accomplishments of their respective divisions. At the conclusion of the presentations, Commission members asked several questions of staff. Chairman Korn asked about EPA clean up costs for the properties the Village has acquired. Bill Cooney stated that the costs are coming in well under the budgeted figures. In response to another question by Mr. Korn regarding the increase in the number of permits issued, Bill George explained the good economy, younger families and reinvestment in Mount Prospect are all contributing factors to the increase. In response to another question from Mr. Korn, Mr. Cooney indicated that the issue of providing services versus fees paid for those services will be looked at in 2000. John Engel asked about current staffing and Mr. Cooney said the department is fully staffed. Ann Smilanic stated that the Community Development Department is the best the Village has had as long as she has been on the Finance Commission. Police Department Police Chief Ron Pavlock and Deputy Chiefs Tom Daley and Ron Richardson presented the Police Department proposed Year 2000 Budget of $8,994,502 which represents a 3.7% increase over the 1999 Budget of $8,672,919. 2 Chief Pavlock discussed the department's 1999 accomplishments and Year 2000 objectives as well as some of the proposed capital equipment purchases. In response to a question from Chairman Korn, Chief Pavlock said he is considering requesting two new problem solving officers in the Year 2001 Budget. Also, Chairman Korn asked if there will be state mandated pension enhancements for the Police Department in the near future. Chief Pavlock said he thought pension enhancements would be coming soon from the state legislature. Jim Morrison asked about a new budget item called "P.A.C.T. Competition." Chief Pavlock explained that Police and Children Together (P.A.C.T.), a one-week camp for at -risk children has lost some of its funding. Local police departments are providing the additional funding necessary to keep this important program running. Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Figolah, Deputy Fire Chief John Malcolm, Administrative Captain Tony Huemann and Fire Prevention Coordinator Paul Valentine presented the Fire Department's proposed Year 2000 Budget. The proposed budget of $7,095,790 is 5.2% higher than the 1999 Budget of $6,743,589. Part of that increase is attributable to the request for an Administrative Officer, a new position. Also contributing to the increase was higher pension costs, a result of recent state legislation. Included in the presentation was information on a children's training initiative, vehicle replacement and other capital items. Chairman Korn asked if the administrative officer will come from the ranks and Chief Figolah indicated that the position will probably be filled from the outside. Ann Smilanic asked if the new person would be a non -sworn person and she also asked for information on the duties. Chief Figolah stated the position would be a non -sworn person and Captain Huemann provided an overview of the proposed duties. After the Fire Presentation, Chairman Korn asked for information on the merit bonus program. Village Manager Mike Janonis stated that in 1998, 15 non-union employees received a bonus for outstanding performance over the year or for a special project. The average bonus was around $1,073. V. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted CLW/sm i� off° A/,e�� Carol L. Widmer Deputy Finance Director 3