Finance Committee

City of Verona Finance Committee City Hall – 111 Lincoln Street Verona, WI 53593-1520 MINUTES FINANCE COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mara Helmke at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call: Chairperson Mara Helmke, Alder Christine Posey and Alder Patrick Lytle were present. Also present: Mayor Luke Diaz, City Administrator Jamie Aulik, Finance Director Brian Lamers and Police Chief Dave Dresser Public Comment: None Discussion and Possible Action regarding approval of August 26, 2024 Finance Committee minutes: Motion was made by Lytle, seconded by Posey to approve the August 26, 2024 Finance Committee minutes with no changes noted. Motion carried 3-0. Discussion and Possible Action regarding 2025 Budget Items: Police Chief Dave Dresser went through the capital request with the Committee and explained the need for the capital equipment. Dresser then stated the operating budget that was given to the Committee will need to be increased by $3,050 in contracted services, which is due to software for finger printing that he thought could be eliminated out of the budget but cannot. He stated the personnel cost increased by 4.02%, which is for COLA, health insurance increase and other benefits. Dresser stated the operating budget is up 2.83% without the addition of the $3,050. Dresser stated that the crossing guard budget decreased by $14,000 with the removal of some posts. He stated that the mental monthly checkups for employees increase. He also stated that DaneCom cost went from $39,442 to $52,079, which is capped for now and should not go up in the following year budget. He went over some other increases to the operating budget. Dresser went over the additional positions he is requesting. He stated if he had to prioritize the request, he would want the adding of a CSO (Community Service Officer) position to go permanent. He went over the list of accomplishments the CSO for the last 6 months. Currently the LTE position is being funded by an open Officer position. The second request is for another Officer position. He went over the need for the Officer position, including the increase in population. Currently there is 1.59 sworn positions per 1,000 residents. He discussed that they are looking at a position being utilized as a School Liaison Officer. The discussion continued regarding the School District funding a portion of this position. The 3rd position request is for ,25% shared with Senior Center for a Case worker to handle crises calls and follow up. Dresser stated there was about 55 calls in 2024 so far that had some type of possible crises. www.ci.verona.wi.us Lamers state the Emergency Preparedness Budget was the same in total but the line item amounts were changed. Lamers stated as a quick estimate with the department budgets there is an increase of $340,000, and if we are able to take levy adjustment for EMS that would reduce that by $34,000, for a total of $306,000. The levy limit increase is about $828,000, bringing it to $522,000 to use. Lamers stated with the estimated new position of $960,000, that leave about $438,000 over and if we add $200,000 for transit, that brings us to $638,000 over. Mayor Diaz asked what the estimated amount was for CARES. Lamers stated the two positions were about $230,000. After further discussion it was determined that the need currently does not justify adding those two positions. Lamers stated that brings it back to approximately $408,000 over. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the City Investment Report-July 2024: Lamers stated nothing significant noted. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Revenue and Expenditure Summary Report-July 2024: Lamers stated there is nothing to be concerned about at this time. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the payment of bills: Motion was made by Posey, seconded by Lytle to approve the payment of bills totaling $633,821.04. Motion carried 3-0. Adjournment: Motion was made by Posey, seconded by Lytle to adjourn the Finance Committee Meeting at 6:46 p.m. Motion carried 3-0. Respectfully submitted, Brian Lamers CPA Finance Director www.ci.verona.wi.us