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Home My WebLink AboutMN-B&A-2001-10-16- Budget Meeting BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16,2001 • Allows for the replacement of some obsolete equipment Twardokus also stated that the 2002 budget does not provide for the following: • Hiring of a Database Administrator to establish a centralized database. • Improvements to the City web site • Establishment of an electronic records management system Twardokus explained that due to the fiscal constraints of the City, he is supportive of the budget as proposed. A discussion concerning the current status of the web site, the status of the IT staff and the computer infrastructure within the City followed. It was noted that $290, 000 of his budget is being funded by Capital . After a discussion, it was determined that an additional $40, 604 needs to be capitalized. The Committee agreed to capitalize the force account work at $40, 604 . No changes were made to the Information Services operating budget . Alderperson Spielholz arrived during the IT discussion. 3 . Planning & Development Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2002 Planning and Development budget in the amount of $861, 874 . Planning Director VanCort stated that he is supportive of the Mayor' s Budget. He explained that cuts in contract and fee accounts of $11, 280 and $5, 000 in Staff Development will be tough, but the department will live with the budget as proposed. VanCort explained that they are expecting to do three more neighborhoods in the Neighborhood Master Plan during 2002 . He stated that each neighborhood plan costs $5, 000 . He further explained that he has made application to the State for $25, 000 toward the neighborhood plans. If the funds are received, the department funding will be fine. If the funds are not available, he will come back in 2002 and request that a Capital Project be established for the master plans. After a discussion, the Planning Department budget remained unchanged. 2 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16,2001 4 . City Prosecutor Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2002 City Prosecutor Budget in the amount of $150, 902 . City Prosecutor McCarthy stated due to the City' s budget constraints, she is comfortable with the Mayor' s Budget . McCarthy noted that her non-salary budget items amount to $5, 760 . She explained that further reductions in those areas would not allow the department to operate. A discussion concerning grants and Staff Development followed. After the review, the City Prosecutor' s budget remained unchanged. 5 . City Chamberlain/Traffic Violations The Mayor proposed a 2002 City Chamberlain Budget in the amount of $290, 320 and a 2002 Traffic Violations Budget in the amount of $84, 075 . Chamberlain Parsons stated that the Mayor' s proposed budget provides her offices with the sufficient staff and resources needed to carry on the services of the Chamberlain' s Office. City Controller Cafferillo explained that the Office Manager position in the Chamberlain' s Office has been receiving an 8% increase to supervise the new account clerk performing payroll . The Office Manager position is currently being reviewed by Human Resources to reclassify the position. Funds for the reclassification have been placed in the Controller' s Office Budget. Payroll is a function of both the Controller' s Office and the Chamberlain' s Office. A discussion regarding parking ticket revenue followed. Parsons explained that we are meeting current parking revenue estimates . She also explained that her office would be sending out warrant notices shortly, which should increase revenue. It was noted that 80% of parking tickets issued in 2000 were collected. No changes were made to the Chamberlain' s Office or Traffic Violations Budget . 6 . Mayor' s Budget Concerns Mayor Cohen stated that he has a number of concerns regarding the 2002 budget, and he is working on some possible revisions to his budget that he will bring back to Council by October 29th. He stated that he does not have 3 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 16,2001 specifics at this time, but wanted to alert the Committee to the following potential areas of concern: • The Mayor' s Budget included a flat Sales Tax revenue amount. With the State' s economy in a drastic downturn due to the September 11th attack, and the fact that March 1St the Sales Tax on Clothing Exemption will begin, the sales tax revenue projection may be high. The Mayor and the Controller will evaluate the projection and possibly bring back a reduction. The Mayor has requested that the County defer the sales tax exemption on clothing. • The State Budget Process and the expected $9 billion loss in revenue will have some effect on the City if existing State-funded programs are cut . Areas such as State revenue sharing to cities, youth programs and grants to local community agencies may be the first to get cut . If State revenue sharing gets cut, the City has already used its Capital funding flexibility, and therefore, would have to make major mid-year cuts to programs and staff . Mayor Cohen explained that the State cuts are not certain, but the City should be aware of the possibility of these cuts . The Mayor stated that any changes to the budget would be brought back to the Committee on the 29th. It was noted that mid-year property tax increases are not permissible. Alderperson Taylor was excused for the remainder of the meeting. 7 . Finance Budget Review The Mayor proposed a 2002 Finance Budget in the amount of $357, 440 . Controller Cafferillo stated that the Finance Department could operate within the Mayor' s proposal . Cafferillo noted the only change to the budget as requested was a $3 , 000 cut in Staff Development . After a discussion concerning the budget, the Finance Budget remained unchanged. The meeting adjourned at 9 : 10 P.M. 4 2002 Bud et for further Discussion/Action List. 2002 Project Cost Account Budget$Impact Meeting Date: I Item From 10/9/01 meeting: Attorne : Increase hours of Associate Attorney from 35 to 40 hours Al 420-5110 $ 5,296.00 Elections: Acquire 3 voting machines through capital project $ 7,500.00 $ - Human Resources: Increase Training and staff development A1430-5440 $ 16,000.00 Capital Projects: Renovations to second floor $ 700,000.00 $ - From 10/16/01 meeting: Calpital Projects: Increase Computer Network project for force work by the IT Department staff $ 40,604.00 $ - Total potential net in crease(decrease)to Mayor's proposed budget after meetings from 10/9,10116,10/18,10125,10/29/01: $ 21,296.00 City of Ithaca Budget Schedule 1 Page 1 2002 Bud-get Adjustments _ Revenuesi Amount Mayor's Recommendation $ 31,583,817.00 Net increase in Mayor's Budget Revenues through 10/9/01 meeting $ - Balance Mayor's Revenues prior to Budget meeting of 10/16/01 $ 31,583,817.00 Action taken during meeting of 10/16/01: No action taken Mayor's adjusted Revenues as of conclusion of 10/16/01 Budget meeting $ 31,583,817.00 Net increase in revenues from 10/16/01 meeting $ - Combined net increase in Mayor's Revenue after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and 10/29/01 meetings $ - Combined net increase in Mayor's Budget(Revenues and Appropriation)after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and 10/29/01 meetings $ - City of Ithaca Budget Schedule 2 Pagel 2002 Budget Adjustments Appropriations Amount Mayor's Recommendation $32,083,821.00 Net increase in Mayor's Budget Appropriations through 10/9/01 meeting $ - Balance Mayor's Appropriations prior to Budget meeting of 10/16/01 $32,083,821.00 Action taken during meeting of 10/16/01: No action was taken $ - Mayor's adjusted Appropriations as of conclusion of 10/16/01 Budget meeting $32,083,821.00 Net increase in Appropriations from 10/16/01 meeting $ - Combined net increase in Mayor's Appropriations after 10/9, 10/16, 10/18, 10/25 and 10/29/01 meetings $ - City of Ithaca Schedule 3 Page 1