City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL MEETING - BUDGET DEVELOPMENT JUNE 8, 2017 Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council meeting for Revenue Decision Budget Development to order at 4:15 p.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Jim Johnston and Gary Moore. Council member Michael L. Orr was excused. Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer reminded the Council of their decisions made at the previous meeting on June 1, 2017 for budget development and reviewed the informational handouts available. It was clarified the suggestions made during the Budget Development meeting are not binding and will be discussed at a Public Hearing on August 3, 2017 and an ordinance establishing the budget will be voted upon by Council on August 17, 2017. Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, stated that information regarding anticipated revenue and additional requested item City departments would be presented. The items discussed are: ONE TIME MONEY – Palisades Water Revenue $275,000.00 GENERAL REVENUE ESTIMATES - Revenue estimate $10,308,428.00 PROPERTY TAX REVENUE ESTIMATES – Property Tax estimate is $3,771,486.00 Ms. Stroschein gave an overview of optional Workers Compensation Increases to the City’s Experience Rating. This is the incremental increase information asked for by Council. It was noted that increasing the experience rating will build the reserves. Council guidance - increase Workers Compensation experience rating by 6% = $66,456.08 Council discussion regarding sales tax estimates for Fiscal Year 2018 followed. New information has been received and Council felt confident to increase sales tax revenue to $101,112.00. Council debate regarding the City’s levy rate and market evaluation information of property continued. Moving forward in the best interest of the City and citizens was discussed in depth. It was suggested the full levy rate be taken at this time for publication purposes. The final levy rate amount will be determined during the August 3, 2017 Budget Decision Session. The following items were added to the Fiscal Year 2018 budget by Council: a) an economic development position $114,000.00; b) REDI $35,000.00, and c) City fleet management concept $150,000.00. Council discussion regarding the fleet management concept and when the best time would be to implement the new management followed. Clarification of Council’s desire to “round” the amount for charging fees was discussed. It was determined that fees will be rounded either up or down following rounding rules to the nearest half dollar or dollar. The final fee amount will include sales tax.  2 CITY OF POCATELLO BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 1, 2017 Ms. Stroschein joyously gave an overview of scheduled Budget Decision Sessions for the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. It was determined that the next Budget Decision Session will be held August 3, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Brown feels creating the City’s budget the last several years has been difficult. He extended the Council’s appreciation to department heads for bearing through the process. Council is trying to do what is best for employee salaries and benefits. In addition, Council is providing employees with the tools to perform their jobs effectively. Mr. Brown also feels the City is on the right path and there are things lining up over the next number of years that will help with revenues and give the Council more budget options. SEE ATTACHMENT ‘‘A’’ FY2018 REVENUE ESTIMATES AND SELECTED OTHER TOPICS. The Decision Spreadsheet showing the result of Council’s discussion is attached as a permanent part of the minutes (see Attachment “A”). There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 5:14 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR PREPARED BY AND ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK