City Council

City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 1, 2006 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL ROOM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2006 9:30 A.M. PRESENT : Valerie Keehn, Mayor Commissioner John Franck, Accounts Commissioner Ron Kim, DPS Commissioner Matthew McCabe, Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue, DPW SUPERVISORS: Cheryl Keyrouze, Absent Joanne Yepsen , Absent STAFF PRESENT : Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner Finance Michele Boxley, Deputy Commissioner Accounts Frank Dudla, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Eileen Finneran, Deputy Mayor Michael Englert, City Attorney 2007 BUDGET WORKSHOP Commissioner Matthew McCabe reviewed the requested changes to date as follows: Mayor’s Department: The Mayor’s Department has withdrawn all requests except for funding for a stenographer for the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee and funding to increase the hours for the Community Development Coordinator from 33 to 40. Finance Department: Finance will continue to adjust the social security lines, health insurance and retirements as more information becomes available. Department of Public Works: DPW requested four part time laborer positions be converted to full time positions. Department of Public Safety: DPS requested information on whether the Navy PILOT agreement revenue is being placed in the correct line and that those funds are used for a second emergency response vehicle in the amount of $95,000. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said that due to anticipated retirements, sick leave pay out lines have been increased to $350,000, uniforms for new employees has been increased to $20,000 and the patrolmen line has been decreased due to lower salaries for the new employees. There is a request to increase the hours of the senior account clerk from 33 to 40, which will impact the same title in other departments. There is a request to increase the salaries of four positions in the traffic control division. There is a request for vehicle replacement and traffic control supplies. There is also a request for new software for the code enforcement department. There is an adjustment of $733,000 to many lines for the recently approved contracts – all offset by the contingency fund. There are adjustments to the health insurance lines to reflect the employee contributions. The total request for DPS is slightly more than $1,030,000 with an offset of $23,000 in increased revenues. Accounts Department: The requests in the Accounts Department are for the general operating budget, they remain the same and are reasonable. Recreation Department: The Recreation Department has withdrawn all of its requests. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said the total expense changes were $394,568 with total revenue changes at $7,000. If all items were included in the budget the total tax levy would be $13,607,515. The tax rate would be $5.15 inside district (8.8 percent increase) and $5.11 outside district (8.5 percent 1 of 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 1, 2006 increase). He reminded everyone that this is a compilation of requests. It was now time for the Council to prioritize its needs Commissioner John Franck asked about the increase in hours for the Community Development Coordinator. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said there is only one position with this title. Commissioner John Franck asked if there was any funding included for the IZOD program, i.e., additional hours for the Planning & Economic Development Office, etc. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said there is no specific line for IZOD. Commissioner John Franck stated that it appeared that IZOD would be dead until 2008. There was no reply. Commissioner John Franck asked if there had been any consideration given to funding for the transition team, legal fees, accounting fees, etc., should the proposed charter amendment pass. Mayor Valerie Keehn said it would be presumptuous on the Council’s part to include that funding when the voters had not yet voted on the matter. Lynn Bachner, Deputy Finance Commissioner, said there was another workshop scheduled for November 8 and it could be addressed at that time. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that Commissioner Matthew McCabe had lead the Council to believe that there would be no requests for increased hours for employees and now there were some included in the budget. He said he would not support such requests unless it was open to all employees. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said this is not the final budget and these are only requests at this time. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the Council is wasting its time going over these compilations. Commissioner Matthew McCabe said that was not true, there was good information at these meetings, noting that the Mayor recently withdrew the majority of her requests. Commissioner John Franck said he could support hours increasing from 33 to 40 under the appropriate circumstances, i.e., if there was a revenue offset. (Mayor Valerie Keehn left at 9:50 a.m.) Commissioner Matthew McCabe said the last budget workshop was scheduled for November 8 at 5:00 p.m. and he would again present a compilation of requested changes. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would like to have that information before the next meeting. Lynn Bachner said that could be done if departments get the information to her in a timely manner. There was no deadline set for submitting the changes to the Finance Office. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would like to have meaningful discussions at these workshops and he would like the information before the meetings. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Matthew McCabe called the special meeting of the City Council to order at 9:55 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Commissioner Matthew McCabe opened the public comment period. There being no one wishing to speak, Commissioner Matthew McCabe closed the public comment period. EXECUTIVE SESSION Michael Englert said that the attorneys in connection with the litigation matter to be discussed in executive session would not be available until 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner John Franck seconded to recess the special Council meeting until 10:30 a.m. at which time the Council would go into executive session to discuss litigation. Ayes all. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk 2 of 3 City of Saratoga Springs City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 1, 2006 Approved: 3 of 3