City Council

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP CITY COUNCIL ROOM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2003 6:00 P.M PRESENT : Commissioner Thomas Curley, DPS Kenneth Klotz, Mayor Commissioner Michael Lenz, Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW Commissioner Stephen E. Towne, Accounts STAFF PRESENT : Erin Dreyer, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Christine Gillmett-Brown, Deputy Commissioner Finance Bill McTygue, Deputy Commissioner, DPW PROPOSED 2004 BUDGET Commissioner Michael Lenz said the 2004 budget requests had been previously distributed. He said if the budget was adopted as presented, the tax rate increase would be 71 percent and that did not include the capital budget. He informed Council members that $278,000 represents about a one percent change in the tax rate. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said there was another number of 86 percent on previous documents. Commissioner Michael Lenz said that number was based on the current assessment roll. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked what the increase in the assessment roll for next year might be. Commissioner Stephen Towne said he was not sure, but last year it was 2.25 percent. Commissioner Michael Lenz said there was a significant projected increase in the health insurance premiums from $2.4 million to $3.4 million. He also noted that there was a projected $1.9 million increase due to the new charter. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked how the $1.9 million figure was developed. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown said it took into consideration all related items, such as salary, rents, office supplies/equipment, etc. She said it includes everything except health insurance. She noted that the Planning Department had requested additional individuals for the Zoning Board and Design Review functions. She said the Planning Department believes that another individual will be necessary because the Engineering Department now moves to DPW. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said there have not been any discussions with the Engineering Department yet on this matter and some things could be worked out. Commissioner Michael Lenz also noted that the retirement system payment will increase about $1.3 million. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown noted that the Finance will encumber $220,000 but they still need an additional $1.3. Commissioner Michael Lenz then asked Council members to review their requests. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he is looking for additional dispatchers, anticipated salary increases and the possibility of additional security measures for City Hall. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked what it might cost for additional security. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he was not sure at this point, however, they did install some additional security at the fire houses for about $25,000. He said he was also requesting funding for other operational expenses such as utilities, telephones, new positions, computers and gun replacements. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said his 2003 budget was $5,325,738 and his requested 2004 budget is $5,922,222 which represents a 12 percent increase. He said one of the largest increases was due to the Engineering Department moving from the Mayor=s Office to his department, although he noted there should be the respective decrease in the Mayor=s budget of $378,300. He said $180,000 was due to contractual obligations, $12,000 for the cemetery account line; $20,000 for City Hall repairs, $7,000 for Drink Hall repairs, $50,000 for two new positions in the highway maintenance department, $50,000 for hazardous waste day Page 1 of 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Workshop meeting minutes Wednesday, November 12, 2003 (noting that the City can apply for matching funds from the state) and $12,000 for half of the new gas system at the City garage (he would request that DPS pay for half). He said that covered his requests. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said one of the biggest changes in his department was the Engineering Department being moved to DPW and his department taking on three new positions. He said it gives the appearance of a slight overall increase to his budget. He said his department was very careful and deliberate with their requests, but said that perhaps there could be some trimming done. He said they will also look for creative ways to generate savings in other areas. He said he was optimistic that some of the original requests could be reduced. Commissioner Michael Lenz said that there had been some discussion as to whether the new positions were required to be filled on January 1. He said realistically it would not likely happen. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he had some discussions with Assistant City Attorney Tony Izzo on this matter and he said it was Tony Izzo=s belief that if the City makes good faith efforts, this would be like any other open positions. He said they could not be left open indefinitely, however, it was not likely that they would be filled by January 1. Linda Terricola said there had been some modest increases in the Recreation Department. She said they had worked hard in keeping their increases to a minimum. She said their overall increase was 4 percent and most of that was attributable to contractual obligations. She said they are operating at the minimum dollar levels. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked if the new department for Planning and Economic Development would have a new individual. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said that was a question for which they were doing some research. He said there would be some overlapping duties between this new position and the exiting positions. He said he was not clear as to whether the City Planner and the Community Development Director needed to have someone oversee their duties. He said the new charter needs to be addressed on this matter, however, they were still discussing on how that could be done. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he would like to meet with Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown on his budget. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown agreed. Commissioner Michael Lenz said the increases in his budget were due to contractual CSEA obligations, additional computer equipment (upgrading); an additional $1.3 million for the retirement system, a 20 percent increase in health insurance from $2.8 million to $3.4 million, an additional $150,000 for contingency for emergency purposes and $32,000 for police and fire raises. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he wanted to be sure that there was enough to cover anticipated contractual obligations. Commissioner Stephen Towne said the Accounts Department requested budget went up by about $253,000. He said those increases included $20,000 for equipment purchases (hardware, software, shredder, copier), $95,000 for the remaining payment to CLT, $30,000 for additional staff to cover the vital records functions to be transferred from DPS to the Accounts Department and the remaining balance of $17,000 increase was due to contractual increases. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said that in the spirit of the new charter, the best way to approach the capital budget was simultaneously with the general budget. He distributed the 2003 capital budget requests and revenues and the five year projection. He said this should be the benchmark. He noted that not all of the projects in the capital program had been approved and some of those that were had not yet been started. He informed Council members that the capital projects committee, which will be formally in place next year, met recently as a transition to this new process. He said Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown was very helpful in reviewing the capital budget. He noted that the projects that had not been done this year would need to have that money encumbered. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said the City is working with a debt service that is about $1.2 million more in 2004. He said the question arises that what new projects should the Council fund and how does the City fund the projects and stay within the Connolly plan limit now at $6.8 million. He said he would add the capital budget to the November 18 agenda for further discussion. Page 2 of 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Workshop meeting minutes Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Commissioner Michael Lenz asked if Commissioner Thomas McTygue had anything at this time on the water and sewer budgets. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said no. Linda Terricola said there had been some discussions between her department and risk management on the bleachers at the East Side recreation field and that funding for that work had not been included in the capital budget. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he believed that was an obligation of the school district and they should fund that work. He asked how much the work might cost. Linda Terricola said she was not sure but had one estimate for approximately $100,000. She then informed Council members that not all of the paving of the tennis courts and basketball courts had been completed this season and the remainder would be done next year. Deputy Commissioner Christine Gillmett-Brown reminded Linda Terricola to encumber the money. Commissioner Michael Lenz reminded Council members that a public hearing would be held on November 18 and adoption of the budget on November 25. Commissioners Thomas McTygue and Stephen Towne noted that neither would be available for the December 2 Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kenneth Klotz adjourned the workshop session at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: Page 3 of 3