City Council Finance Committee Meeting

FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES March 8, 2018 The City Council Finance Committee of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met at 5:30 pm in the Municipal Building Executive Conference Room on the 8th day of March, 2018, and notice and agenda of the meeting were posted in the Municipal Building at 201 West Gray and the Norman Public Library at 225 North Webster 24 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. PRESENT: Members Wilson and Bierman ABSENT: Chair Allison OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Lynne Miller Steve Lewis, City Manager Suzanne Krohmer, Budget Manager Gala Hicks, Director of Human Resources Clint Mercer, Chief Accountant Ken Komiske, Director of Utilities Kathryn Walker, Assistant City Attorney III Item 1, being: SUBMISSION OF THE REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORTS Mayor Miller stated that Sales tax is still down and the Use tax is up by a large percentage. The Franchise taxes are down as well. Clint Mercer stated that he hopes that we are on an upward trend. City Manager Lewis stated that Anthony Francisco believes that the overall numbers will come close to our budgeted revenue numbers. Mayor Miller stated that she also noticed that the new development excise revenue is down. Member Wilson stated that the connection and permit numbers are down as well. Mercer stated that he looked at the permits and they did not seem to be down. Mayor Miller asked if the fees could be lagging. City Manager Lewis stated that could not be the case since the fees are collected at the time of the building permit. Mayor Miller asked if they would go up in the summer. Mercer stated that it should go up in the summer. Mercer stated that the figures in these reports include the TIF over-apportionment transfer to the General Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund. He stated that we have corrected the mistake that led to the over-apportionment, so from now on that money will automatically be in the General Fund. Finance Committee Minutes March 8, 2018 Page 2 Items submitted for the record: 1. Summary of Major Fund Revenue Sources vs. Budget FYE 2018 as of February 28, 2018 2. Summary of Major Fund Expenditures vs. Budget FYE 2018 as of February 28, 2018 3. Appropriations from Fund Balance FY18 4. General Fund Transfers over $50,000 between Expenditure Categories FYE 18 February 2018 ****** Item 2, being: SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT ON OPEN POSITIONS Gala Hicks stated she had nothing new to talk about at this time. Mercer stated that every 5 years we send out a Request for Proposal for an external auditor who we offer a 3 year guarantee with 2 years optional. We recently sent this out and will be coming to the Council with a recommendation. Mayor Miller asked if this will be a new group or if it is the same company we have used in the past. City Manager Lewis stated it will be a new company. He also stated that sometimes you want to rotate auditors for a fresh set of eyes. We are anticipating an increase in auditing costs. We currently spend about $100,000 per year in auditing fees. Member Bierman asked who is leaving as Parks Supervisor. Hicks stated that the employee retired after 42 years. The Recreation Supervisor was promoted to this position, so now that job is vacant. Mayor Miller asked about finding Police Officers. Hicks stated that there are still 12 candidates going through the pension physical. Mayor Miller asked if we continue to recruit all year long. Hicks stated that it does seem that we continue to recruit throughout the year. Chief Humphreys is looking at possibly doing another lateral Academy. Items submitted for the record: 1. City of Norman Position Vacancy Report dated 2/27/18 ****** Item 3, being: MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS Finance Committee Minutes March 8, 2018 Page 3 None ****** The meeting adjourned at 5:43 pm. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor