City Council

October 23, 2012 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS Budget Workshop City Council Room 5:34 PM PRESENT: Scott Johnson, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Christian Mathiesen, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Bachner, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Sharon Kellner-Byrnes, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS ABSENT: Shauna Sutton, Deputy Mayor Tim Cogan, Deputy Commissioner, DPW RECORDING OF PROCEEDING The proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. BUDGET WORKSHOP Public Safety Department Commissioner Mathiesen advised they have 3 items they would like to discuss: o The first item is A3143311 / 51945 (Laborer Part Time). The adopted budget amount is $6,500; they requested $13,000. This was a part time position that was cut in 2010. They are requesting additional funding to hire an additional person for the summer. They are also attempting to bring this department back to its original status prior to the 2010 budget cuts. o The next item is A3143314 / 54961 (Signs and Posts). In 2013, the adopted budget amount was $22,000; the requested budget amount for 2014 is $30,000 and the amount in the 2014 comprehensive budget is $26,000. They are requesting additional to bring it to the original $30,000 request. This increase is to cover the additional signage required over the years. There are 4 parking garages that need to be signed and multiple requests for new signage throughout the City. They are also required to follow a federal mandate that all signage be replaced with current reflective requirements. Past budgets have not kept up with these requirements. Mayor Johnson stated he is aware of the reflective component that came about a couple of years ago. There is uncertainty regarding the time line of compliance as well as what happens if you don’t comply. Budget Workshop 10/23/13 Commissioner Mathiesen advised the mandate has been relaxed and the date for compliance has been pushed back. It makes sense to replace these signs so when the time comes that the signs do have to be replaced, the signs have been replaced. It makes sense to do this on a gradual basis. o The last item is in line A3143411 / 51911 (EMT Education Incentives). The 2013 budgeted amount was $48,900; the requested amount for 2014 was $91,000 and the 2014 comprehensive budget amount is $81,000. They are requested the full $91,000 as this is contractual based upon the 2011 – 2013 labor relations contract between the City of Saratoga Springs and the City of Saratoga Springs Fire Fighters Union. The contract increased all the incentives by 50%. Commissioner Madigan advised she has summarized all the changes made and provided a copy to the Council. The total amount of changes so far is $231,663. If she took all the changes and include them in the budget, there would be an increase in taxes of 1.95%. That is within the tax cap but she is not willing to consider that full amount; she will consider some of the requests. She asked the Council to look over all the requests and set a priority. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson moved and Commissioner Mathiesen seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes – All There being no further business, Commissioner Madigan adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 11/4/13 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 2 of 2