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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/1993 FC minutesFINANCE COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting October 28, 1993 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:24 p.m. Present were Chairman Richard Bachhuber, Commissioners John Engel, Vince Grochocinski, Newt Hallman, James Morrison, Tom Pekras, Ann Smilanic, and Earl Sutter. Also present were Deputy Fire Chiefs Del Ulreich and Lonnie Jackson, Administrative Fire Captain Steve Dumovich, Finance Director David Jepson, and Assistant Finance Director Carol Widmer. Commissioner Paul Davies was absent. II Approval of Minutes The minutes of the September 3, 1993 meeting were accepted as presented. III Departmental Review - Fire Department The two Deputy Fire Chiefs, Del Ulreich and Lonnie Jackson, and Captain Steve Dumovich conducted a tour of the new Fire Department facilities. The tour included the new Emergency Services Disaster Area (ESDA), Administrative Offices, station living quarters, Fire Department vehicles, Fire Prevention Bureau and special equipment. After the tour, Deputy Chief Del Ulreich presented information on Fire Department operations. A video was presented which demonstrated response time and effectiveness in responding to fire calls with different staffing levels and Deputy Chief Ulreich explained present staffing levels at the three stations. During his presentation Deputy Chief Ulreich explained the ongoing training that the department conducts and the problems presented by lack of a training tower and training field. In the past, Citgo Petroleum Company had allowed the Fire Department to utilize an area of their tank farm facility as a training field. Recently, however, Citgo notified the Fire Department that they plan to erect a storage tank at that location and the Department will no longer be able to teach Hazardous Materials Technician classes there or use it for live fire training of flammable liquid fires. The department would like to continue the training and is actively searching for a new site to purchase or lease. Deputy Chief Ulreich advised the members of the Finance Commission of a new initiative being tried by the Fire Department on a trial basis. This initiative involves staffing and equipping a fire engine with paramedics and essential Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment so the department can respond to emergency calls in the event the ambulance is out of district or on another call. The department currently has enough back up equipment available to supply one engine and feels this approach would enhance the department's emergency medical capabilities and improve service to residents. At the end of four to six months, the department will evaluate the program to determine if they should continue this approach. Captain Steve Dumovich explained the age and condition of various pieces of fire equipment currently maintained and operated by the department. A 1966 Chevrolet pumper which was obtained as part of the Forest River Fire Protection District annexation in 1972 and has served the department in a reserve engine status is due to be replaced. The department is evaluating several different options in determining a replacement vehicle, including the purchase of a new piece of equipment called a Quint. The Quint is a combination pumper/ladder truck and the department feels this equipment may result in more flexibility in providing adequate staffing. However, additional study will be conducted before a final recommendation is made. The members of the Finance Commission expressed appreciation to the two Deputy Chiefs and Captain Dumovich for their excellent presentation. IV Finance Director's Report Finance Director David Jepson discussed 1993/94 General Fund revenue estimates with the members of the Finance Commission. Mr. Jepson explained that based on five months experience (May - September) it appears General Fund revenues will be approximately $275,000 less than had been expected in the budget. There are several reasons for this. Sales taxes are expected to be approximately $250,000 less than budgeted because 92/93 actual receipts were about $60,000 less than anticipated and actual 93/94 receipts are lower than expected. Part of the reason is that four major businesses have closed in 1993 compared to one new business opening. Property taxes will be less than anticipated because a greater portion of the 1993 tax levy will need to be allocated to refuse disposal than had been expected. This is due to a $50,000 deficit in the fund as of April 30, 1993 and increased costs to SWANCC expected in 94/95 fiscal year. Because of the priorities of Debt Service, Pensions, and refuse disposal, the actual dollar amount of the tax levy for the General Fund has not increased since 1990. For 1992/93 actual expenditures were 99.8% of the budgeted amount and for 1993/94 it is expected that actual expenditures will also be very close to the budgeted amount. Based on preliminary revenue amounts and budgeted expenditures, in 1993/94 an excess of expenditures over revenues in the General Fund will be $605,525 after a transfer of $650,000 from the Water Fund. Preliminary estimates for 1994/95 indicate a deficit of $1.3 million in the General Fund. These projected deficits for 93/94 and 94/95 are based on current services and do not include any provision for additional services. Mr. Jepson stated that he felt that some combination of an increase in property taxes, a change in the method of financing refuse disposal, a utility tax and/or a home -rule sales tax will be needed to overcome the deficit the Village is facing. V Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for December 2, 1993. Respectfully submitted, Carol L. Widmer Assistant Finance Director CLW/sm