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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/05/1998 FC MinutesFINANCE COABUSSION Minutes of the Meeting November 5, 1998 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall. Those present were Chairman John Korn and Commissioners George Busse, John Engel, Vince Grochocinski, Newt Hallman, Jim Morrison, Tom Pekras, and Ann Smilanic. II Approval of Minues of Meetings on October 15 and October 21, 1998 Minutes of the October 15, 1998 meeting were approved as presented. With regard to minutes of the October 21, 1998 meeting, Commissioner Engel noted that the last paragraph of the Community Development Department presentation states, in part, viz. - `The Finance Commission recommended that the new position be part of ... the permit approval process.' He stated that the Commission had not approved the new position at that meeting and recommended that the minutes as presented be amended by deletion of any reference to the new position in that sentence. The recommendation was accepted and the amended minutes of the October 21, 1998 meeting were approved. In the process of discussing the above amendment to the minutes, the broader issue of the minutes, in general, of the Commission was discussed. The conclusion was that the minutes, while they have been very good in coverage of items presented to the Commission, would be more comprehensive of Commission views and concerns if they contained greater coverage of the views of the Commission members on topics presented. III. Review of Commission Action on October 29 of Department Presentations at Meeting on October 21 The department involved and positions taken by the six Commission members present were: Fire Department No comment Police Department The addition of a person to the staff is not recommended. Rather, it is recommended that a current officer be promoted to sergeant for the first watch. Vote 3 - 3. Community Development Department The Commission was of the general opinion that the new position and resulting staff increase of a Plans Examiner probably should be approved with some caveats, but should be reviewed further at the meeting scheduled for November 5. In that respect, the Plans Examiner was discussed at considerable length at this (November 5) meeting. Several commissioners related experiences either of their own or of others of extended delays in projects due to the complex permit and inspection services. This is reportedly serious enough to perhaps be discouraging development. The question of whether time spent on minor items, like hot water heaters for example, was raised several times. It is doubted that the new position and studies conducted so far will solve the problem. The Commission considers it a serious problem. Commissioner Busse proposed and Commissioner Engel seconded a motion that the Commission support the addition of a Plans Examiner as long as it is a part of an ongoing review of the entire process. Approved by vote of 8 - 0. IV Review of Presentations on October 29, 1998 Public Works Department No action recommended. However, Commissioners Pekras and Smilanic noted that proposed salaries were up substantially in the Storm Sewer -Basin Maintenance section (page 215) without anyone so far having a satisfactory answer as to cause and/or need. Community and Civic Services No action recommended. V Review and Summary of Budget Recommendations Village Administration The Finance Commission supports the request for the addition of a full time Public Information Officer in the Village Manager's Office as long as funding for this position is fully accounted for by savings generated by the elimination of the part time Community Information Coordinator position and other 1997 budget line items. (Vote 5 - 2) The Finance Commission supports the request for the addition of a full time Records Clerk in the Village Clerk's office as long as funding for this position is fuller accounted for by savings generated by the elimination of the Deputy Village Clerk position. (Vote 6 - 1) Finance Department The Finance Commission supports the request for an additional full time accountant in the Accounting Division. (Vote 6 - 1) Human Services Department The Finance Commission supports the request for the addition of a part time (5) Community Program Assistant in the Human Services Department for one year as long as the position is fully funded by 2 grant money. The recommendation is for one year because current indications are that grant money in following years may be insufficient to fully fund the position and related programs. The position should be reviewed annually taking into consideration the available grant money and the effectiveness of the related programs. (Vote 5 - 1, 1 abstention) Fire Department No Comment. Police Department The Finance Commission does support the addition of another officer and the promotion of an officer to sergeant for the first watch shift. (Vote 5 - 1 with 2 abstentions) The first vote on this issue on October 29 was 3 - 3 to promote to sergeant but not hire another officer; however, a new vote was taken with all members present at this review. Community Development Department The Finance Commission supports the addition of a Plans Examiner as long as it is a part of an ongoing review of the entire process. (Vote 8 - 0) Public Works Department No comment. Community and Civic Services, etc. No comment. With regard to financial performance in 1999, it was recommended by Commissioner Busse and seconded by Commissioner Pekras that the surplus, if realized, be distributed to the Capital Improvement and Vehicle Replacement Funds. VI Finance Commission Role Chairman Korn expressed the opinion that the Commission should become involved in the budget process at an earlier stage than at present. Others expressed a similar view, noting that as it is now, if we do not agree with proposals we are placed in the position of trying to get people to change their minds. The Commission would be more contributive if it were involved in helping them make up their minds in the first place, i.e. helping to make plans. In this connection, the Commission would like to be kept informed and participative where warranted in the building permit and inspection situation which it views as a serious matter. Another issue of general concern, without reference to specifics, is the overall increase in personnel costs occasioned by increases in both numbers of people and salary scales as compared to the moderate village expansion and CPI inflation factors. In connection with the personnel cost issue, Commissioner Hallman recommended and it was seconded that the budget material for next year contain the figures for each department and a summary of the number of people and gross salaries. Additionally, guidelines for raises and the CPI rate used for Social Security should be shown. This passed by a vote of 8 - 0. 3 VII Mount Prosect Library_ Chairman Korn noted that the Library reportedly is planning on a large increase in its tax rate request and expenditures. The Commissioners would like to know more about the Library plans and the interaction of Library -Village financing. VIII Next Meeting Because of Thanksgiving and Christmas, no meeting was scheduled for November and December. The next scheduled meeting is January 28, 1999; however, Chairman Korn was requested to call a special meeting prior to that time if he deems that circumstances warrant it. IX Adjournment JWSM Commissioner Hallman moved and Commissioner Grochocinski seconded a motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.m. es Morrison Secretary 4