Board of Commissioners Meetings

17 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Work Session Meeting on February 18, 2020 A Work Session of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the third floor Assembly Room, Municipal Center, 222 First Street, Henderson, Kentucky. There were present Mayor Steve Austin presiding. PRESENT: Commissioner Patti Bugg Commissioner X R. Royster, III Commissioner Bradley S. Staton Commissioner Austin P. Vowels CITY STAFF MEMBERS included William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., City Manager; Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney; Maree Collins, City Clerk; Donna Stinnett, Community Relations Manager/Public Information Officer; Robert Gunter, Finance Director; Brian Williams, Public Works Director; Sam Lingerfelt, Sanitation Superintendent; Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director; Trace Stevens, Parks Recreation and Cemeteries Director; Heath Cox, Police Chief; Scott Foreman, Fire Chief; Owen Reeves, Gas System Director; Jordan Webb, Emergency Communications Director; Greg Nunn, Information Technology Director; Theresa Richey, Administrative Liaison; Nancy Stone, Parking Enforcement Officer; William Russell, Police Officer and Lucas Oliver, Police Officer. ALSO PRESENT: Douglas White, The Gleaner THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED: 1. Fiscal Year 2020 Mid-Year Budget Review  Finance Director Robert Gunter briefly reviewed the cover memo detailing the necessary changes to the budget to date.  He explained that the six-year history indicated that there is usually a surplus in the first half of the year due to property tax payments received; that nine positions have been eliminated along with the Municipal Golf Course in an effort to curb expenses, but that will take time to show up in the budget; that the General Fund balance continues to decline; there were an additional 177 taxpayers in the payroll tax receipts database; some departmental expenses are over budget due to ordering items that were not delivered until this fiscal year or starting projects in one fiscal year and completing them in the next; early estimates indicated that we should finish the year within budget-then several large health insurance claims came in for processing, leaving a question as to how much that fund will be over budget; health insurance is currently $5,000.00 more per week than the previous year; overtime expenses have risen in part due to eleven full-time vacancies; the Ambulance Service expense has seen a decrease from previous years; and pension costs are anticipated to continue to rise each year over the previous year for the next several years.  Discussion was held relating to all the department heads working with Mr. Gunter to control expenses and stay below budget.  Discussion was held relating to the possibility of Moody’s lowering our credit rating if we have another year of decreased reserve funds. Mr. Gunter reported that there are several other factors that are also considered, but that is certainly considered and could have a negative impact on the City’s Bond interest rates in the future.  Discussion was held relating to the fact that measures have been taken to begin addressing increasing revenues and decreasing expenditures and that it continues to be something that is reviewed on a regular basis. NO FORMAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. ________________________ 18 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Work Session Meeting on February 18, 2020 MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Staton, seconded by Commissioner Bugg to adjourn. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Staton ---- Aye: Commissioner Vowels --- Aye: Commissioner Bugg ----- Aye: Commissioner Royster -- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the work session adjourned at approximately 6:20 p.m. ________________________ ATTEST: Steve Austin, Mayor March 10, 2020 ________________________ Maree Collins, CKMC City Clerk,