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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/27/2005 FC minutes FINANCE COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2005 VILLAGE HALL COMMUNITY CENTER I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present included Chairman Charles Bennett and Commissioners Vince Grochocinski, John Kellerhals, Rich Micelli, Torn Pekras, Ann Smilanic and Lee Williams. Also present were Village Manager Mike Janonis, Director of Finance David Erb, Deputy Director of Finance Carol Widmer, Fire Chief Mike Figolah, Fire Marshall Paul Valentine, Deputy Chief of Operations John Malcolm, EMS Coordinator Wendy Seleen, Fire Battalion Chief/Training Officer Chris Truty, Deputy Chief of Police Mike Sernkiu and Deputy Chief of Police John Dahlberg. Finance Administrative Assistant Lisa Burkemper was absent. II. ApPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 13, 2005 was made by Commissioner Kellerhals and seconded by Commissioner Smilanic and the minutes were accepted as presented. III. REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED 2006 VILLAGE BUDGET Fire DelJartment Fire Chief Figolah presented the budget for the Fire Department with assistance from other members of his staff present at the meeting. Accomplishments for 2005 along with performance statistics and other factors having an impact on the 2006 budget were discussed. Emphasis was placed on the out ofbalance in the mutual aid figures between Mount Prospect and the other participating communities since this and service demands form the basis for the request for the three additional fire fighters in the 2006 budget. The overall department budget was projected to increase by 5.2% with the increase attributed primarily to the wage increases in the Union contract of3.75% and the additional 3 staff costing $195,000. A question from Commissioner Micelli regarding the ratios of Fire Fighters in the Village compared to other communities lead Deputy Chief Malcolm to produce a statistical report detailing that in virtually any measure, the number of Fire Fighters in the Village is low in comparison and the calls per Fire Fighter are high when compared to surrounding communities. Chief Figolah pointed out that the additional staff would not require the purchase of new vehicles and would enable the Village to reduce the fleet by one. The engine to be utilized in the plan is already available as the reserve engine, and the squad now used could be sold. The plan would reduce response times and increase the ability to respond to calls within the Village without resorting to the high volume of mutual aid calls. Chief Figolah also detailed the contents of the request for proposal for consultants to review the requirements and make recommendations regarding a new fire station in the northern end of the Village to replace station 14. In addition to the fire station, the other space needs to be addressed included Fire and Police administration, Public Works vehicle maintenance and storage facilities, emergency operations center and related emergency power supplies for the Village as a whole. There is $100,000 in the proposed budget for this RFP. "~-""~"'''''~'''''''l'''''-'''''~-'''''''--'~--~~'~~~-~------"-~'~~_c,-,~"=""=,"""""""",,,,,,,=,,,,,,,,,,,,,,~,=!t.,,"'r,,'4.'..<:".,;"."'"-",;.".,.,,...""_________._.__ Commissioner Smilanic pointed out that the additional intern being requested is not highlighted in any manner in the budget document and a revision was recommended. Police Department Deputy Chiefs of Police Dahlberg and Semkiu presented the proposed Police Department budget. Accomplishments for 2005 along with performance statistics and other factors having an impact on the 2006 budget were discussed. The proposed budget shows an increase of 10.1 %, this includes $497,000 budgeted for the proposed 5 officer traffic unit. Excluding this cost the budget increase is 5.8%. Commissioners asked many questions regarding the staffing levels of the Police force relative to other communities. Handouts pointed out that of the 25 largest communities in the State; only Mount Prospect does not have a dedicated traffic unit. It was also pointed out by Commissioner Kellerhals that, based on his outside inquires; the Village Police Department is understaffed. There were 3,400 automobile accidents in the Village last year and the Police Department can provide only minimal investigation of these events due to lack of staffing. In addition, demands from the community for traffic enforcement continues to escalate and is the most common complaint voiced by citizens to Village Administration at all levels. IV. CHAIRMAN'S REpORT Chairman Bennett reported on his message regarding this Commission's budget review process to the Board at the recent Committee of the Whole meeting. In this regard, the Chairman suggested that an additional meeting of the Commission next Thursday November 3, 2005 in the Village Hall at 7:00 p.m. to finalize the Commission's recommendations to the Board should be considered. Commissioner Kellerhals made such a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Pekras and was passed by the Commissioners. V. FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REpORT There was nothing to report. VI. OTHER BUSINESS Brief presentations by each Commissioner of their views about the budget were made and Chairman Bennett offered in addition three general options to be considered at the next meeting. These as summarized were: 1. Accept the budget as presented and cover the resulting deficit with the revenue enhancements with which the Board appears to be favorably disposed based on the recent budget workshop. (Direct billing for refuse disposal, etc.) 2. Cover the deficit with the revenue enhancements proposed by this Commission. 3. Reject the major budget increases proposed and accept reduced revenue enhancements to cover the increase accepted by the Commission. Commissioner Kellerhals offered an additional option to accept the major increases in the budget and pay for them by making cuts in other expenditures currently budgeted in 2006 and 2007. He suggested reviewing other staffing in all departments. 2 -- .-. -...--------r-- VII. NEXT MEETING: NOVEMBER 3.2005 There being no further business to corne before the Finance Commission, Commissioner Smilanic motioned to adjourn which was seconded by Commissioner Pekras. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 11: 17 p.m. Respectively submitted, Vincent Grochocinski Secretary, Finance Commission 3 --- ---1 ---_._~-----~---~--_.._._-~.~~--_..~-~--,._.-,