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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/22/2005 FC minutes FINANCE COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 VILLAGE HALL BUILDING DRAFT I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. Those present included Chairman Charles Bennett and Commissioners Vince Grochocinski, John Kellerhals, and Tom Pekras. Also present were Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer and Finance Administrative Assistant Lisa Burkemper. Commissioners Rich Micelli, Ann Smilanic and Lee Williams were absent. Also absent was the Director of Finance David Erb. II. ApPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Vince Grochocinski motioned to approve the minutes of July 28,2005. Commissioner Tom Pekras seconded the motion and the minutes were accepted as presented. III. DISCUSSION REGARDING VILLAGE BOARD AND FINANCE COMMISSION JOINT BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING Chairman Charles Bennett led a discussion regarding the Village Board Workshop and the items discussed at the meeting. Chairman Bennett added that the Finance Commission will continue to offer their budget enhancement advice and recommendations to the Board throughout the budget process. Chairman Bennett asked for input from the members if they wanted to continue to present their original revenue enhancements to the Board, modify their original recommendations or accept the positions the board took at the workshop meeting. Commissioner John Kellerhals expressed his concerns about how the process went during the workshop. Commissioner Kellerhals felt the Finance Commission should have been able to address the issues first before the board made their decisions. Commissioner Kellerhals voiced his objection to eliminating the vehicle sticker and changing to direct billing for refuse. Commissioner Kellerhals also stated he felt surprised at some of the topics of the meeting and felt the workshop was really not a true workshop. Chairman Charles Bennett added that the other members ofthe finance commission were not as surprised at some of the topics because the commission has participated in discussions related to the vehicle sticker/refuse debate for several years. Since Commissioner Tom Pekras was not able to attend the Joint Workshop meeting he asked Chairman Bennett ifhe could summarize the outcome ofthe meeting. Chairman Bennett stated the Board had expressed agreement in implementing the $5 per month service fee for water, implementing a new ambulance rate fee schedule to include residents as well as non-resident and finally the Board was in favor of eliminating the vehicle sticker and direct billing residents for refuse. Chairman Bennett also mentioned the Board was opposed to raising multiple taxes like motor fuel, utility taxes etc. Commissioner Vince Grochocinski asked why it was necessary to change to direct billing residents for refuse. He stated why not add an additional amount to the property taxes that would equal the amount of money needed to pay for the elimination of the vehicle sticker. Chairman Charles Bennett asked to what degree the refuse fund is being under funded. Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer stated that in 2004 the fund was short $189,200 out of a total refuse budget of $3.3 million. ',.""-C''''"='''"''''''''''''''''',:"~,''''1''^";'''~~il:'t,:",::c,;",.~_"",i'''''''=:T!~=="'7_=="""""""""""""~_____~,_""",,,,,,,__,,~~~~,_________. Commissioner Tom Pekras added he would like to continue to present the Finance Commission's original revenue enhancement recommendations to the Board. Commissioner Pekras also added he thought Commissioner Grochocinski' s suggestion about adding the amount of money needed to pay for the elimination of the vehicle sticker to the property tax bill was a good idea. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked ifhe could have all supporting information that is included in the refuse budget including every line item that is in the refuse program budget. Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer stated that Commissioner Kellerhals could obtain that information from the budget book. Commissioner Vince Grochocinski stated that he prefers the Finance Commission's original revenue enhancement recommendations and reiterated that he would like to see the property taxes raised to cover the elimination of the vehicle sticker and not bill residents directly for refuse. Chairman Charles Bennett summarized that it was his understanding that the members present were happy with the original revenue enhancements they presented to the Board and that they would continue to recommend these enhancements. DISCUSSION OF REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS Chairman Charles Bennett presented a handout for discussion on parking ticket information. Chairman Bennett stated he thought the commission could look at this revenue source and compare our rates with other communities. Based on a brief discussion regarding the ticket rates of other communities, Commissioner Tom Pekras stated that he would be in favor of increasing miscellaneous parking ticket fees from $20 to $25, which would be more in line with neighboring communities. Commissioner John Kellerhals added that he would support the $5 increase however he would like to have a warning system instead of an automatic ticket for residents who park on village streets overnight. Commissioner Vince Grochocinski asked if the budget figures the commission used during their revenue enhancement/deficit reduction discussions had changed. Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer stated they had changed because revised figures from sales tax and other increases in revenues have been received and have reduced the deficit. Commissioner Vince Grochocinski also expressed concern that as the deficit is decreasing the village should not spend more money or add new initiatives just because money potential is available. Commissioner Grochocinski added that in looking at future years the deficit will continue to increase and spending more money now and adding new initiatives would affect the deficit in the coming years. Commissioner John Kellerhals stated he would like Finance Director David Erb to briefly discuss the Revenue/Expenditure handout that is provided to the finance commission each month. Commissioner Kellerhals would like a better understanding of where the village is financially each month. Chairman Charles Bennett added that he agreed that Mr. Erb could go through the handout and outline any great variances or summarize what the commission should be looking at. IV. CHAIRMAN'S REpORT There was nothing to report. 2 ",,,,,,-,,,,'.c.-w;c,";':"='.7",.~,7'.""7"'''''''''''''.-::?i''.'.''.';'=,,,,,,.._,"",,_.,...,,,,,,.._,7~=.>7"'=,==_~,,__..,;;,,~""_.,_,,_,;,<'''.c:'''''>>''I''i;'~_":'7.,-iJT'-""'';t'''7'''?''':;'''''~,,,:;~:::rI'7Y'''-7Z'1?;:~';:'-,,_n~'''.'''':=._='"",_~~_,_.~"_..__",",~*.,,,_,_,,_~,,_,__,__ V. FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer presented the finance commission members with the final version of the 2006-2010 Capital Improvements Plan. VI. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Charles Bennett stated he would entertain a motion to nominate a vice chairperson for the finance commission. Commissioner John Kellerhals suggested that the members delay the nomination until the other three members were present. Chairman Bennett asked if a member wanted to make a motion otherwise they can defer the nomination until the next meeting. Commissioner Tom Pekras stated that he prefers to defer the nomination until next meeting. Commissioner John Kellerhals stated that he would like to see the finance commission get involved in the discussion process of the new fire station 14 relocation project. Chairman Charles Bennett stated that this has been a topic of discussion for several years and continues to be discussed throughout the Budget and Capital Improvements Plan processes. Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer added that the 2006-2010 Capital Improvements Plan includes a space study to address current and future space needs before decisions are made regarding the new Fire Station. Commissioner John Kellerhals also stated that he would like to have a discussion on the Capital Improvements Plan. Commissioner Kellerhals would like to know the village's current funding plans and what projects might have a higher priority across the board instead of by department. Commissioner Kellerhals would like to look at the approach of picking a project out of the plan and then deciding how to fund it instead of finding a yearly funding source for the plan that would pool money to pay for multiple projects. VII. Next Meeting: October 13; 2005 Commissioner Tom Pekras motioned to adjourn which Commissioner Vince Grochocinski seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for October 13,2005. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Burkemper Administrative Assistant Finance Depmtment 3