City Council

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 30, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gottman called the Special Council Meeting to order at 7:52 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was given by all present. ROLL CALL: Stunkel, B. John Clark, Hubler, Crawford, Barker, Rebbe & Lester. Hobler was absent. NEW BUSINESS: Dr. Jennifer Garrison & Chris Palmer with the Vandalia School District Addresses The Council: Dr. Garrison spoke to the council asking for support for a 1% County School Facility Tax in the April 2019 election. The County School Facility Tax is an alternative revenue source that shifts away from relying on property taxes on their part of the tax bill and put an SRO in the school, but this can only be done with a new revenue source. The conversation started with the councilmen to expand the conversation for a more fair tax. Palmer also said that we are looking at lower property tax just like the city will be discussing tonight. An Ordinance Making the Annual Appropriations For The Fiscal Year Beginning on the First Day of May 2018, and Ending on the Thirtieth Day of April 2019: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Crawford Adopting Ordinance # 2018-7-30-A, An Ordinance Making The Annual Appropriations For The Fiscal Year Beginning On The First Day Of May 2018, And Ending On The Thirtieth Day of April 2019. The total budget is $9,858,567.00 and has an overall deficit spending of $6,008.00 which the city will take from the reserves to cover the shortfall. There were three funds in the red: The Motor Fuel Tax Fund in the amount of $31,081.00; Capital Improvement Fund in the amount of $119,615.00 and Payroll Fund in the amount of $34,650.00. But noted there are several accounts that show a surplus to make up for all but the $6,008.00 of the shortfall. Mayor Gottman said when they first laid out the budget, it showed deficit spending of more than $737,000.00 but City Administrator LaTisha Paslay worked with each department head on their budget to make cuts and to get the spending in line with the revenues coming in. City Administrator, Paslay said that she went thru some of the bigger cuts to the budget and explained that revenues have been fairly steady, so she was conservative with her predictions. Alderman Lester asked about the large deficit in the Capital Improvement Fund. Paslay stated that fund is from the .5% sales tax the city has for infrastructure improvements. That account is where improvements such as the Thrill Hill Bridge and Randolph Street Bridge come out of. Roll Call: Barker, yea; Hubler, yea; Crawford, yea; Stunkel, yea; Clark, yea; Rebbe, yea; Lester, yea; Hobler was absent. Motion carried. ORDINANCE # 2018-7-30-B: An Ordinance Authorizing and Requesting the Placement of a Public Question Regarding A One Percent Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Municipal Service Occupation Tax on the Ballot For The City of Vandalia and Requiring Certification Thereof to the Fayette County Election Authority as Provided By Law: A motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Crawford to place the sales tax issue on the November ballot for the public to decide on a half-percent sales tax increase. Alderman Barker proposed using one-quarter of the sales tax for Police Pension Fund and then the other one-quarter for infrastructure. At this time, the city has a half-percent of sales tax going to infrastructure. If this is approved this would put .75% of the sales tax to infrastructure and the other.25% towards the Police Pension Fund. Roll Call vote: Rebbe, yea; Hubler, yea; Stunkel, yea; Lester, yea; B. John Clark, yea; Crawford, yea; Barker, yea. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further to discuss a motion was made by Hubler and seconded by Crawford to adjourn. Motion carried. _________________________ Peggy Bowen City Clerk