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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/23/1989 FC minutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING FINANCE COMMISSION February 23, 1989 I Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Trustee's Room. Commis- sioners Richard Bachhuber, Ann Smilanic, Tom Pekras and Paul Davies were in attendance. Commissioner Newt Hallman was absent. Also in attendance were Village Manager John Dixon, Finance Director Dave Jepson, Assistant Finance Director Don Mazza, Human Services Administrator Nancy Morgan and Assistant Administrator Jan Abernethy. Fire Chief Ed Cavello, along with Deputy Chiefs Del Ulreich and Lonnie Jackson, arrived at 8:15 p.m. Police Chief Ron Pavlock with Deputy Chief Ron Richardson arrived at 9:15 p.m. II Human Services Division Village Manager John F. Dixon introduced Human Services Administrator Nancy Morgan. Nancy presented the division's proposed 1989-90 budget. The budget is proposed to be $243,225 compared to $245,500 in the current year's budget. The only item of significant change in this budget is the inclusion of Social Agencies where it had been budgeted in Community and Civic Services in prior years. The change was made to more clearly reflect the oversight responsibi- lity of the programs. The 89-90 budget shows no increase because the Northwest Community Services item of $12,000 was eliminated in the budgeting process. Personnel costs account for $169,615 and program costs- account for $49,000 of the proposed budget. Several grants have paid a portion of the program costs in the current. year. These include $13,250 from Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships for the Network 50 employment program, $13,164 for the discount taxicab program and other reimbursements. These grants total over $30,000 and are anticipated to increase in the new budget year. The division is also seeking new grant monies from other sources. The division provided more than 84,000 units of service to Village residents. A unit of service is a contact with a resident concerning a counseling session or medicare form assistance to answering questions at the counter, excluding minor telephone calls. Two thirds of the 84,000 units were professional contacts with the balance recreational and educational services. The cost to Mount Prospect totaled $3.19 per capita. The cost is kept low because of the Volunteer Program. The division works closely with other Village departments and agencies aiding in identifying needs in the community. It. was the recipient of a mini -van donated by the Mount Prospect Rotary Club in December. Also, the division was notified that it was a finalist for the Outstanding Organization Award given by the Illinois Community Education Association. Other donations included a refri- gerator, TV and office furniture which totaled over $3,000. 2 The division has noticed an increase in family support services in the past several years utilizing social workers, nurses and employment counselors. Specific reference was made about the "sandwich generation," those who care for children as well as aging, frail parents. Other programs include: 1. Short term counseling 4 - 6 sessions 2. Referrals for long term mental health agencies 3. Outreach social work and nursing services 4. Home companion referral program 5. Blood pressure, medication counseling, diabetic screening 6. Hearing, vision, glaucoma and dental screening 7. Health Fair 8. Nurse's Lending Closet 9. Discount taxicab program 10. Financial crisis counseling 11. Network 50 employment program 12. Senior citizen center Many of these programs are provided by the division at no cost to the Village. Ms. Smilanic asked why the taxicab budget is decreasing. Ms. Morgan replied that many seniors are getting alternate solutions as well as some resistance coming from taxi drivers who could make bigger tips on an airport or downtown ride instead of across town. Commissioner Bachhuber asked who screened the financial grant program and what criteria is used. The social workers determine the recipients after examining the assets and liabilities of a client. The social agencies programs moved to the division during the budget process were discussed next. Ms. Smilanic asked if anyone in Mount Prospect used the Shelter, Inc. program. Last year 115 cases were handled from Mount Prospect residents. The Northwest Services Coordinators based in Arlington Heights administers the Senior Shared Housing Program. This provides roommate matching services. The Commission concluded its review of the Human Services Division by examining the annual report and urging the Village to keep up the advertising of services. 3 III Fire Department Fire Chief Ed Cavello and Deputy Chiefs Lonnie Jackson and Del Ulreich were presented to the Commissioners by Village Manager John Dixon to discuss the department's budget proposal. The proposed budget totals $3,922,325, up almost $190,000 from last year's $3,732,635. This increase is tied to the proposed additional six firefighters and one additional fire inspector. These are being proposed to meet. the terms of agreement between the Village and the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District. The Village will take over the operations of the District on May 1, 1990. The area of service will include that portion of parcels South of the Tollway and West of Elmhurst Road. Chief Cavello then described the process where the area of responsibility would be shared with Des Plaines and Elk Grove Village. Other significant budget items were the request for a fire pumper and a fire squad to be financed through a general obligation bond issue. After the budget presentation, the Commission began its discussion of the budget with questions of Chief Cavello. Commissioner Davies asked about the ambulance replacement.. This is the chassis only. The cabin from an existing department ambulance will be used thus saving almost 2/3 the cost of a completely new vehicle. Ms. Smilanic asked about the reassessment of manpower needs after 5/1/90. The agreement with the Fire Protection District calls for the same level of service as they are providing now. The reason Mount Prospect is the lead agency is because of the large number of annexation lawsuits brought by the District against Mount Prospect. Mr. Jepson stated that in many cases parcels are being doubly taxed - by the Village and the Fire Protection District. These will be eliminated after takeover. The agreement calls for the Village to receive the District's tax levy. Some of this will be reimbursed to Elk Grove and to Des Plaines as well as a portion kept by the District for administration purposes. The Village should net $500,000 in tax revenues to offset the additional manpower costs. The Commission then had a general discussion about the Fire Department's annual report. Discussion centered on simultaneous calls or instances where all three fire stations were out of service when on calls. Deputy Chief Ulreich provided the statistics that almost 1/2 of all calls came when the stations were empty. An interesting statistic was passed along stating that the average per firefighter spent on fire fighting was 2-1/2 minutes per day. A question on the ambulance fee was raised. The revenue from this item is budgeted at $40,000. The $125 charge is levied on out -of -Village residents and enforced with a good degree of latitude. Ms. Smilanic asked if the new personnel would require a new station. This possibility is being examined. The Chief was asked by Tom Pekras about what enhanced 911 would cost residents. The initial cost on the telephone bill would be $.75 per month decreasing to $.25 per month after equipment purchases by the Central Dispatch Agency. The referendum is on the April General Election ballot. 4 IV Police Department Chief Ron Pavlock and Deputy Chief Ron Richardson presented the Police Depart- ment's 89-90 proposed budget. The request is $4,330,790 compared to $3,862,560 in the current year. The increase is due mainly to the department's request for additional personnel, the Northern Illinois Crime Lab membership and the replacement of 16 squad cars. Chief Pavlock explained that the six new officers were part of the department's 3-5 year plan. This proposal was discussed at a November Village Board Committee of the Whole meeting. If approved, the officers would be hired by July to attend rookie school and would be in service by the Christmas Season. Three of the new officers would be patrol officers, two investigators and one an investigative sergeant. Chief Pavlock explained that the need for the officers was to increase patrolling in the neighborhoods, selective traffic control at busy intersections and to keep up with the increase in workloads in investigations. Membership in the Northern Illinois Crime Lab is needed to provide more timely resolution of cases. Some cases take up to 12-18 months to process at the State of Illinois Crime Lab which is not satisfactory. Northern Illinois Crime Lab will process much more quickly as was evidenced in a recent burglary where the lab provided evidence to enable the department to solve the case in one week. Mr. Davies asked if Northern Illinois Crime Lab would become as swamped as the State did. Chief Pavlock replied that the member chiefs would monitor this situation making sure it would not happen. The squad cars are rotated every two years. This is necessary to keep main- tenance costs down as well as keep the fleet on the street. This purchase accounts for about $175,000 of the increase in the department's budget. The Commission then discussed several items in the Police Department's Annual Report. Mr. Bachhuber asked whether the new people could be accommodated in the present facilities. The department is looking at a plan to improve the present facilities and Mr. Jepson mentioned space needs were being addressed in both the Police and Fire Departments. The Chief was asked about the accreditation process. Mr. Pavlock explained that preliminary approval for accreditation was given by the field team. The Village will be notified on April 1, 1989 of the results of the recommendation. Considerable discussion was generated by the Commission concerning traffic enforcement and level of traffic fines. V Central Dispatch Services This agency provides efficient dispatch services for the Villages of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove, Buffalo Grove and Mount. Prospect. The 89-90 budget is proposed at $374,160,or 6°0' above this year's $353,050. The increase is due to be set aside for new equipment. As mentioned in the Fire Department's budget presentation, a referendum for Enhanced 911 service will be on the April ballot in these four communiities. The agency would provide this service if approved by voters. VI Concluding Discussion The Commission concluded its meeting with a spirited discussion on the personnel needs proposed by the Police and Fire Departments. The Commission recommended the Police request for six officers unanimously with the provision that the Village see a corresponding increase in arrests and traffic fines. The Commission unanimously recommended the Fire Department's request noting that the increase was being financed by funds from the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District. This would mean no additional Village funds. Adjournment followed at 11:00 p.m. Respect.fy Submitted Don Mazza �- Assistant Finan irector DM/sm