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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/1993 COW minutes Minutes BUDGET WORKSHOP March 20, 1993 The meeUng was called to order at 9 10 a m. Trustees present were Mark Busse, Leo Floros, Paul Hoefert and Irvana W~lks. Mayor Farley arrived at 9:15 a.m. and George Clowes amved at 10 30 a m.~ Trustee T~m Corcoran was absent. Also present were Village Manager Mmhael E Janoms, Finance D~rector David C. Jepson, Assistant Finance D~rector, Carol W~dmer, Pubhc Works D~rector Herb Weeks, Planning Director Dawd M. Clements, Inspection Services D~rector, Chuck Bencm, Human Services D~rector, Nancy Morgan, F~re Chief Edward Cavello and Pohce Chief ~Ron Pavlock Addmonally, Pdchard Hendncks, Mmhelle Skowron, Angela Volpe, P, achard Bachhuber, about 25 staff and residents and two members of the press were in attendance II 1993/94 Budget Presentation Village Manager Mmhael Janonis stated that tlus was the second Budget Workshop and that th~s workshop would focus on the lnd~wdual departmental and dtvision sections of the 1993/94 Budget Mr. Janoms poznted out that the budget rewew process was thfferent than in prewous years and that it would be ~adjusted in the future as necessary. Mr. Janoms stated that the actual budget preparaUon started about seven months ago with the inlUal d~scusslon with the Village Board regarding financial trends for the 1992/93 fiscal year. These dxscuss~ons were continued ~n November and December 1992 w~thln the framework of the Mount Prospect 2000 Plan During those meetings, parameters were estabhshed that included No new revenue sources. Minor service level reductions ~f necessary. Spending reductions of approxxmately $435,000. Use of one-time draw-downs of fund balances Maintenance of acceptable year-end fund balances ~n the General, Specml Revenue and Water Funds. I Mr. Janonls said that the proposed budget ~ncluded a number of capital improvements and generally conformed to the estabhshed vehmle replacement program. There were three positions ehmxnated in the budget, however, there was a recommendation to add three addxtional pohce officers On the revenue side, total revenues are expected to be $41.6 milhon. The expected revenues will be supplemented by the use of fund balances of $650,000 in the Water Fund, $330,000 in the General Fund, and some $4.0 mfihon in the Capital Projects Funds The proposed 1993/94 Budget totaled $46 5 million and represented an overall 2.68 % ~ncrease over the 1992/93 Budget Mr. Janoms stated that the proposed budget meets all of the parameters set by the Mayor and Village Board. Mr. Janoms concluded h~s opening remarks with an expression of concern over the nsmg costs of xnsurance, medical insurance, pensions and other State and Federal mandates The yfllage is especially concerned about the possibility of tax caps without some relief from costs which the Village cannot control ~ ~ , . ~. Trustee Floros asked if the Village was spending an xnordmate amount of Ume on the budget ;process and if the Board was demanding too much information Mr. Jfinonls responded that the process ~s probably the most important administrative responsibdxty that the staff and Board has. Although ~t is a long process, it is not unmanageable. Mr Janoms explained that the goal of this workshop was to review the ln&wdual departmental and d~v~slonal budgets The intention was to review the highlights of each servxce area and that the departmental directors and staff were available to respond to any quesuons Village Administration This service area ~ncludes the Village Board, Village Manager's Office, Communlcattons Dlwslon and the Village Clerk's Office. Mr. Janoms stated that the budget for the Mayor and Village Board was up some 2.9 % and included salaries for the Mayor and Trustees, orgamzat~onal memberships and a prowslon for special projects Organizational memberships totaled $26,750 and included the Northwest Mumc~pal C~onference, llhno~s Mumc~pai League and the Northern llhno~s Planning Commission. The provision for special projects ($10,000) was Go be used at the discretton of the Mayor and Trustees dunng the year. .. ,~ ~ The Village Manager's Office is down some 15.2% pnmanly due to the reducUon of one posmon Mr. Janoms smd the pnonues of the Village Manager's Office in 1993/94 were the ~mplementatxon of the Mount Prospect 2000 Strategic Plan, Downtown Redevelopment and a rewew of legal costs. Under the CommumeaUons Dxwsion, the major emphasis will be the ~nstallataon of a new phone system and the cable franchise renewal. Additaonally, $27,440 has been included ~n the 1993/94 Budget for the conunuaUon of equipment replacement The Village Clerk's Office includes the operating costs of the Clerk's Office as well as costs for the Village Newsletter. The d~scusslon of the Village Admlmstrafion focused on legal fees Trustee Floros asked what changes are being considered. Trustee Busse asked about the possxbfl~ty of b~dding legal services Trustee Hoefert asked if it was cost effective to have an attorney at the Village Hall two days per week Trustee Wilks smd she has been concerned about the responses to certmn questions and supported rewewmg the area of how legal services are prowded May,or Farley stated,that the Village saves money by not having an attorney at Village Board meetings. Mr. Janoms responded that there is some duplication of service and that we try to maximize value by using speclahsts for 2 labor negotlalaons, land acquisition, and zomng issues. He will bnng a recommendataon back to the Village Board during the year. Human Services Department Mr. Janoms stated he is recommending that the organizational status of Human Services be changed from a division to a department. This change reflects a recognition of the scope of the services provided and the importance of the services to the community. The total budget is up less than 1%. Mr. Janoms added that the services provided include some 7,400 hours provided by volunteers Additionally, the Revenue sectaon of the budget includes $15,200 in revenue expected from various Human Services programs, up $5,700 from 1992/93. Trustee Wilks cbmmented that the change to a departmental status provides a better identity and more recogmtmn in the community. Mayor Farley stated that the department provides valuable service to the community. One example is the TAP, or Teens and Parents, Group. He smd he would like to see more emphasis placed on young people m the community and to see a coordinated effort by the Village, Schools, Churches, the Library, Park Districts and residents. Trustee Hoefert smd he agreed with Mayor Farley and had no problem with the budget as presented. Trustee Wilks smd she was impressed with the work of the bi-hngual social worker, especially with some of the groups on the South side of the Village Finance Department Mr. Janonis smd the Finance Department budget is up about 3.2% and includes not only finance operaUons but also some insurance costs Trustee Hoefert smd he would like to see a report on collecuon of vehicle hcenses and suggested that the Vdlage look into a direct deposit system for the Village payroll. Mr. Jepson responded that he will provide informaUon on a direct deposit system. Inspection Services Department Mr Janoms smd the overall budget for Inspectaon Services is down 2.86%, primarily due to the reductaon of one pesltaon. He smd that new construction has slowed down but that the number of permits is about the same as it has been. He expla,ned that there are more permits for remedelmg and smaller .lobs. Trustee Hoefert asked if Inspectaon Services provides information to homeowners regarding building projects and if residents knew if they needed final permits. Mr Benclc responded that they help with hfe-safety issues and structural questions. Mayor Farley said he would like to see a continued emphasis on food service inspections. Trustee Wilks asked who will pick up the work of the position that was eliminated. Mr. Bencie stated that the dutaes had been shifted to personnel in the Engmeenng Division. Trustee FIoros asked about the number of pernuts in companson to the number of lnspectaons Mr. Bemc responded that permits for smaller jobs do not require as many ~nspectaons as permits for new commercial or tndustnal buildings Pohce Department Mr. Janoms stated that the budget for the Pohce Department is up 4 07% from 1992/93. This amount is for exxstang operations and does not include the prowslon for the three add~taonal officers that have been recommended. Mr. Janoms explmned that ~f the Mayor and Trustees supported the recommendataon, funds would be transferred from the contangency amount m the budget. Mr. Janoms added that he had been supplying the Board with various reports which documented the need for the addltaonal officers. 'He said that the recommendation to add the officers is a measured response to problems that have been developing. Police Chief Pavlock stated that there is a gang presence m Mount Prospect and that the three new officers will allow the Village to develop a unit to address the problem. He also explmned that it would free up tame to expand the Walk and Talk Program and the Neighborhood Watch Program. Trustee Hoefert smd he supported the three new officers~ and that we should address the source rather than the symptoms of the problems Mayor Farley smd there is no correlataon between the number of pohce officers and reduced crime. However, the presence of an officer provides a perception of safety. He added that we must balance security and safety with affordablhty. Trustee Floros smd he agreed wtth the decision to concentrate on the highest crime areas and that he supported the three new officers Trustee Busse smd he does not want the crime problem to get out of hand and he supports the three new' officers Trustee Wilks smd she supported the three new officers but that she was concerned with the apparent de-emphasis on D U I. enforcement Trustee CIowes said he supported the three new officers but that he was concerned about how they will be funded m future years Pubhc Works Department Mr. Janonls stated that the Pubhc Works Department included budgets for the Street Division, Water and Sewer, Parking and Refuse Disposal. Addmonally, the flood control projects were the respons~blhty of Public Works. The Streets and Pubhc Property Division budget was down 2 46% due to the reducUon of one posltaon and a decrease of 10% m certain street mmntenance projects The Water Dxvls~on was up 3.57% and included $507,400 for the renovataon of the Downtown Water Tank. The Refuse Disposal Program is up 6.52% and reflects an 8% increase in the Arc Disposal contract effectave August 1, 1993. Mr. Janoms stated that yesterday afternoon, the Village was notafied that the Prospect Mead- ows/North Mmn flood control project was eligible for IEPA funding. The funding for th~s $3.8 , million project will be available at 3 36% and should result m a sawngs of about $65,000 in interest costs the first year and up to $800,000 over the llfe of the project Mr. Janoms also stated that there is a provision in the budget for mmal work on the Llnneman Road ProJect 4 Trustee Hoefert smd he would like to see an emphasis on extending the hfe of Village vehicles. He also smd the V~llage should look at outsourcing s~rvlces in all departments. Trustee Busse said he is concerned about falling behind in street resurfaclng. Trustee CIowes said he was concerned over the potholes on major highways and that he could not justify ~renting vehicles for summer help. Mayor Farley said he also was concerned about the condit~on of Village streets and the importance of maintmmng all the infrastructure. Fire Department Mr. Janoms smd that the Fn'e Department budget for 1993/94 is up 5.2% with the higher than average increase due to personnel costs, pension costs, insurance costs, and the vehicle lease payment. Mr. Sanonis added that the Fire Chief has proposed a rethinking of the F~re Department's capital purchases m an effort to address staffing deficiencies at the North station. A pumper which had been scheduled for replacement in 1993/94 has been deferred in favor of purchasing a 'quint' during the 94/95 fiscal year. The quint will allow staffing flexlbdlty that isn't avatlable vnth the current pumper/ladder truck arrangement Additionally, the replacement of Fire Prevention Inspectors vehicles with less expensive velueles will free up additional revenue for operational costs. Trustee Busse asked for an explanation of a quint. F~re Chief Cavello stated it is a combination of a ladder truck and a pumper in one vehicle. The quint will allow one firefighter stationed on Northwest I-hghway to be stufted to the station on Kensington. This will help to overcome some of the addlttonal staffing requirements imposed by OSHA and NFPA. The Mayor and Trustees accepted the Fire Department budget as presented. Planmng Department Mr. Sanonis stated that the Planning Department budget includes Planmng, Economic Development, Downtown Redevelopment and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projects. The ~CDBG port,on of the budget is up some $50,000 and the Downtown Redevelopment porUon is down $38,000 for an overall increase of less than 1%. Mayor Farley smd he would hke to see an increase in Economic Development activity Trustees Fioros and Busse commented that the Facade Program has been very positive and they would hke to see it continued. Additaonally, Trustee Busse smd he thought the Business Visitation Program was a good start in ~mprovmg commumcaUons with the business community. Trustee Hoefert commented that reduced requirements for variations in the Zoning Ordinance should help to reduce overall activity in the Planning Department. Mr. Sanonis stated that Non-Departmental Expenditures would be reviewed at the March 23, 1993 Committee of the Whole meeting along with a conclusion of the budget review process. II Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a m Respectfully Submitted David C. Jepson, Finance Director DC J/sm 6