Finance Committee Meeting

ABSTSRACT/SYNOPSIS OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE OFFICIAL ACTIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF WHITEWATER, WALWORTH AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, WISCONSIN Special Finance Committee Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2023 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Chairperson Lisa Dawsey-Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Present at the meeting were committee members David Stone, Jill Gerber, and Lisa Dawsey Smith. Absent: N/A. Staff and guests present: Finance Director Rachelle Blitch, Brad Marquardt, Stacey Lunsford, Kelly Freeman, Dan Meyer, Adam Vander Steeg, and Sabrina Oijibway. 2. Hearing of Citizen Comments None 3. 2024-2025 Budget Review (1 of 3) a. Library – Lunsford provided a brief update on her budget and touched on the plans for the library’s expansion in the fall of 2024. b. Fire/EMS –Stone asked about the ambulance rotation and Freeman explained it would be coming in July 2024 and funded fully by WFD Inc. Dawsey-Smith explained that because the city had purchased the last three ambulances WFD Inc. was funding this purchase. Freeman noted the engine is expected to arrive in July as well. Freeman also noted that in June of 2022, the previous city manager and director of finance signed paperwork to purchase a tower ladder that was budgeted previously and through contract discussions with WFD Inc and E1 they gave a discounted rate since we were ordering the engine as well and that provided us with a $278,000 savings. Freeman explained further that because of the volatile market we are in the cost of the ladder would have went up by $100,00 and the engine by $60,000 if they hadn’t signed the paperwork in June 2022. Stone asked if they are way behind on building the trucks do we still anticipate receiving them in that timeframe? Freeman said yes, the last update was March of 2025 for the engine and ladder. Gerber inquired about the turnout gear going from $116,000 to $12,000 and what that was. Freeman explained that they just received a grant from the Hickey Fund for a second set of turnout gear so each frontline firefighter will have two sets and the $12,000 will be for any repairs. Gerber asked about a significant drop in supplies and also an increase in repair maintenance of $35,000. Freeman explained the cost of the emission systems are increasing and that they recently had two ambulances go down and the filters alone were $5,000 a piece. Gerber asked if they would be filling the admin assistant position and Freeman stated they would not and that they reallocated those funds to bring their fire inspections back in house instead. c. Police –Meyer gave some highlights on the budget additions that included an additional $10,000 to interpretation services, an additional $10,000 for mental health annual check-ins with a psychologist, additional funds for training for the SRT drone teams, additional funds for ammunition, and new Axon body cams. Stone inquired where the $900,000 in new radios is and Meyer stated those are in the CIP. Gerber inquired if the salaries were maintaining currently staffing levels or if they added a position. Meyer explained it was just  maintaining and that the difference was due to a staff member being on military leave but there is a definite need for more officers. Gerber asked about the supplies cost of $19,000 and Meyer explained that they previously had a LEA grant that reimbursed the costs in that line item and would no longer be receiving it in the future. 4. Future Agenda Items  Update on Library expansion funding  Starin Water Tower  Employee bonus update  Compensation study update 5. Discussion of Next Meeting Date Next regular meeting date was set for October 24, 2023 at 4:30pm. Special finance committee meetings for budget review were set as follows: October 12th at 6pm October 16th at 3:30pm 6. Adjournment Smith moved, Gerber seconded adjournment. Motion carried on unanimous voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 6:18 pm. Respectfully submitted, Rachelle Blitch Director of Finance and Administrative Services.