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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/2005 COW minutes Minutes Committee of the Whole Special Meeting November 15, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Irvana Wilks called the Special Meeting to order at 8: 1 0 p.m. Present: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, A. John Korn, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michael Skowron and Michael Zade!. Staff members present included: Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Finance Director David Erb, Deputy Finance Director Carol Widmer, IT Director Joan Middleton, Human Services Director Nancy Morgan, Public Works Director Glen Andler, Public Works Deputy Director Sean Dorsey, Community Development Director William Cooney, Chief of Police Richard Eddington, Deputy Fire Chief John Malcolm and Battalion Chief Chris Truty. II. CONTINUATION OF VILLAGE BOARD BUDGET DELIBERATIONS Opening Remarks Mayor Wilks provided an overview of the order and manner in which continued deliberations of the 2006 Budget would be conducted. Stating expenditures would be considered first, Mayor Wilks explained that the Village Board's decision on the proposed new positions would determine the amount of revenue needed to be raised. (The 2006 deficit stands at $1,111,179.) Revenue considerations would include Vehicle Stickers, Direct Charge for Residential Solid Waste Services, Finance Commission Recommendations, and if needed, Other Funding Alternatives. Expenditure Considerations .:. Personnel Police Department - $305, 833 Five (5) - member traffic unit, one (1) sergeant and four (4) patrol officers A recommendation was made to approve the four (4) patrol officers and eliminate the sergeants position. Chief Eddington stated to maximize the productivity of the traffic unit he would recommend maintaining the sergeant's position and eliminating one (1) patrol officer. A motion to approve a four (4) member traffic unit of one (1) sergeant and (3) patrol officers was moved and seconded. By a show of hands, the Village Board approved the four (4) new positions in the Police Department. The cost for the traffic unit was reduced by $70,106. Fire Department - $203, 367 Three (3) new firefighters A motion to approve the three (3) new firefighter positions was moved and seconded. Bya show of hands, the Village Board unanimously approved the three (3) new positions. Community Development Department - $60,000 One (1) new property maintenance inspector Village Administration/Information Technology - $71,000 One (1) IT Technician Page 2 COW 11/15/05 A motion was made to eliminate both the property maintenance inspector position and the IT Trainer position. The Village Board recognized there may be a need for the additional staff but budgetary constraints prohibited the two new positions. Ms. Middleton stated the IT technician would optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of Village staff and programs. She indicated the IT technician would be able to respond to the day to day computer support questions from staff, allowing more time for developing and implementing software programs designed to streamline administrative processes and enhance productivity. The Village Board suggested the position could be brought back for consideration in the 2007 budget. By a show of hands, the Village Board unanimously removed the positions of the property maintenance inspector and IT Trainer for the 2006 Budget. Overall Expenditures Mayor Wilks asked for a motion to increase the amount of money allocated to the Lions Club for the 4th of July fireworks. A motion for an increase of $1,000 for 4th of July fireworks was moved and seconded. By a show of hands the Village Board approved the $1,000 increase; line item increased from $2500 to $3500. The proposed budget allocates $40,000 to the Historical Society. It was recommended that the Historical Society give an overview of their activities and fundraisers at a 2006 Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Frank Corry, Historical Society, thanked the Village Board for their support. Expenditures - Citizens' Remarks Comments/suggestions from residents in the audience as well as from phone-ins were presented. The following residents expressed their comments and recommendations to the Village Board. · Mr. Dennis O'Meara, 105 North Cathy · Mr. George Clowes, 604 South Elm · Mr. Francis Vlazny, 2103 Jody Court. Finance Director David Erb reported that with the elimination of three positions and the contribution increase for fireworks the total in the proposed expenditure reductions was $200,134. Mr. Erb stated with the proposed reductions the 2006 Budget deficit was now $911, 179. Mayor Wilks stated the Village Board would now look at Revenue sources to address the $911,179 deficit. Revenue Considerations .:. Vehicle Stickers Trustee Corcoran presented a comprehensive analysis of the value added versus the non- value added from the Village's vehicle sticker program. Trustee Corcoran compared the cost of the program to the revenue generated. 38% of the revenue generated from the stickers accounts for program costs and uncollected revenue. The vehicle sticker program generates approximately $1.3 million annually. Page 3 COW 11/15/05 A general discussion of the vehicle sticker program was conducted including the equity and efficiency of the program and resident's receptiveness to the program. .:. Direct Charge for Residential Solid Waste Services As a cost efficient alternative Trustee Corcoran presented a comprehensive analysis of residential solid waste services and costs per the terms of the ARC contract and SWANCC fees. Residential solid waste services are currently paid through the property taxes, under the proposed direct charge system residents would be billed for this service at $211 a year. A general discussion was held on the proposal to direct bill for residential solid waste services. Discussion included a comparison of the efficiency of the direct bill concept versus the inefficiency of the vehicle sticker program. The proposal to eliminate the vehicle sticker fee was based on the inefficiency of the program, and not to be considered a trade-off for the proposed direct bill for solid waste services. .:. Finance Commission Recommendations Finance Commission Chairperson, Mr. Charles Bennett, presented the Commission's recommendation for balancing the budget. The Commission recommended the Village institute an ambulance fee billed to insurance companies and Medicare. Mount Prospect residents using the Village's ambulance but do not have any type of insurance coverage would not be billed; estimated revenue approximately $800,000. The Commission recommended a motor fuel tax increase of 1 additional cent; estimated revenue $150,000. The Commission recommended keeping the cost for solid waste services on the property tax and continuation of the vehicle sticker fee. Revenue - Citizens' Remarks Comments/suggestions from residents in the audience as well as from phone-ins were presented. The following residents presented their comments and recommendations to the Village Board. Mr. Dennis O'Meara, 105 North Cathy Mr. George Clowes, 604 South Elm Mr. Francis Vlazny, 2103 Jody Court Ms. Ann Smilanic, 409 South Candota, Ms. Smilanic, Finance Commission member, commented on the Finance Commission's recommendations for revenue sources. Following substantial discussion of the vehicle sticker program and the direct charge proposal the Village Board considered the Finance Commission's recommendations. A motion to approve the ambulance fee was moved and seconded. By a show of hands, the Village Board unanimously approved the ambulance fee. A motion to increase the local motor fuel tax from $0.01 to $0.02 was moved and seconded. By a show of hands, the Village Board unanimously approved the $0.01 increase in the local motor fuel tax. The Village Board returned to the discussion of the vehicle sticker fee. Mr. Erb provided an update of the budget that reflected the additional revenue from the ambulance fee and motor fuel tax. Page 4 COW 11/15/05 Using the additional revenue he then presented the budget using the revenue from the vehicle stickers, leaving a ($125,000) deficit and without the revenue from the vehicle stickers leaving a budget deficit of ($1,118,179). In a joint discussion of the vehicle sticker program and direct billing for solid waste services, Trustee Korn also recommended the dog license fee be eliminated. The elimination of the dog license fee which was presented as another high effort program would result in a $10,000 reduction in revenue. In response to the Village Board's questions as to where the revenue will come from if the vehicle sticker program and licensing fees were eliminated Mr. Erb presented several budget scenarios including the impact to property taxes if the cost for solid waste services remained on the property taxes. Ms. Smilanic, Mr. Vlazny, Mr. O'Meara, Mr. Clowes as well as comments from the phone- calls regarding the vehicle sticker program and the direct charge for solid waste services were made. The Village Board continued with questions and comments regarding funding of the general and refuse funds. The Village Board expressed concern and little support for either raising the property tax to cover the refuse fund deficit, or the $211 direct charge for solid waste services. However, in support of the direct charge concept the Village Board considered Trustee Skowron's proposal to implement a modest direct charge to residents for solid waste services. The direct charge for residential solid waste services would be $75 per year rather than $211. To allow Mr. Erb sufficient time to calculate the various budget scenarios including the new direct charge proposal, Mayor Wilks called for a brief recess at 10:50 p.m. Mayor Wilks reconvened the meeting at 11 :00 p.m. Mr. Erb provided a comprehensive summary of the revenue options available to balance the 2006 budget. Mr. Erb noted that with the proposed $1,020,000 generated from the $75 direct user fee, and keeping the vehicle sticker program there would be a surplus in the Village budget for years 2006 and 2007. Mr. O'Meara and Mr. Clowes commented on the revenue alternatives and their potential impact on residents. In reaching a general consensus to reduce the proposed increase in the tax levy the Village Board proceeded with the following items. A motion to approve the elimination of the dog license fee was moved and seconded. By a show of hands, the Village Board approved the elimination of the dog license fee. A motion to approve the vehicle sticker program for the 2006 budget was moved and seconded. Bya show of hands, the Village Board approved the vehicle sticker program for the 2006 budget. A motion to approve a modified direct charge of $75 per year for solid waste services to single-family homes and proportional amounts to all multifamily properties was moved and seconded. By a show of hands the Village Board unanimously approved the modified solid waste services direct bill to all single and multifamily properties. Page 5 COW 11/15/05 A motion to approve a 7.66% property tax increase was moved and seconded. By a show of hands the Village approved a 7.66% property tax increase for the 2006 budget. With the approval of these items Mr. Erb stated the 2006 budget would have a surplus of approximately $775,000. The Village Board asked Mr. Erb to prepare a summary of the 2006 budget with the approved funding alternatives. III. ADJOURN Trustee Lohrstorfer seconded by Trustee Zadel moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned by a verbal vote at 11 :35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell Village Clerk