Finance Committee

City of Verona Finance Committee City Hall – 111 Lincoln Street Verona, WI 53593-1520 MINUTES FINANCE COMMITTEE AUGUST 26, 2019 The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Chad Kemp at 6:15 p.m. in Conference Room D110 Roll Call: Chairperson Chad Kemp, Alder Kate Cronin and Alder Christine Posey were present Also present: Mayor Luke Diaz, Interim City Administrator Adam Sayre, Finance Director Brian Lamers, Police Chief Bernie Coughlin and Jim Ferolie from the Verona Press Public Comment: None Discussion and Possible Action regarding approval of August 19, 2019 Finance Committee minutes: Motion was made by Cronin, seconded by Posey to approve the August 19, 2019 Finance Committee minutes with no changes noted. Motion carried 3-0. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Updates on the 2020 Budget and Budget Presentation Police Department, Emergency Preparedness and Common Council: Chief Coughlin handed out to the Committee a memorandum regarding justifications of the Police Budget. Coughlin stated the overall increase at this point is 4.86%. Included in the budget is a 2% COLA for non- represented sworn employees and the requested for an increase to 3% rather than the 2% that is proposed by city administration which would be an addition of $5,640 that is not included in the budget. The memorandum stated that there is no increase for represented employees, however there is a 2% increase entered into the proposed budget. There are contract negotiations currently in the process. Coughlin stated that the total proposed personnel services is an increase of .91%. Coughlin explained that in the operating expenses there is a 4.86% increase. Other contracting services of that operating expense went up 251% mainly due to the proposal of contracting out crossing guard services for $125,000 and the addition of $2,500 for the wellness program that was thought to be in the Administration budget. Repairs and Maintenance went up approximately 35% and part of that was a combination of accounts with the new financial system and there was also a $10,000 reduction in the 2019 budget that was added back in the 2020 budget for any repairs that may come up. Other supplies and expenses went up 14.15% due to the reduction of $10,000 in the 2019 budget and added back into the 2020 budget. The reduction for 2019 was due to the actual first 6 months fuel was $.30 less than budgeted and fewer gallons purchased due to staffing shortages. Discussion with the Committee took place taking about the challenges of filling and staffing for Crossing Guards. Coughlin stated there is 4690 hours needed and last school year there were 385 hours short that were filled by Police Officers. Coughlin passed out a presentation from ACMS regarding contracting the services for approximately $125,000. After further discussion Kemp asked if this is something we could www.ci.verona.wi.us afford this year. Sayre stated it is all based on priorities with this budget. The Committee voiced their concern that they would rather have Police Officers doing their jobs instead of being Crossing Guards. Coughlin went over the Emergency Government budget ad stated there was really nothing added. Sayre stated that we received the notice from the League of Municipalities and the cost will be going up $471, so we will be increasing that budget by that amount. Sayre asked the Committee what steps or how the Committee would like to handle the budget going forward with reductions. The Committee asked if Administration could formulate a listing of possible reductions and priorities. Sayre stated Administration with departments would work on doing that. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the payment of bills: Motion was made by Kemp, seconded by Cronin to approve the payment of bills totaling $704,505.87. Motion carried 3-0. Adjournment: Motion was made by Cronin, seconded by Posey, to adjourn the Finance Committee Meeting at 7:00p.m. Motion carried 3-0. Respectfully submitted, Brian Lamers CPA Finance Director www.ci.verona.wi.us