CITY OF ESTACADA BUDGET COMMITTEE

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2001 – 6:30 PM

 

A.     Call to Order – Chair Polzin

 

Vice Chair Pense called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.

 

Present:  Mayor Austin, Cr. Troeh, Cr. Hartwig (6:50pm), Cr. Atkinson, Cr. Gavic, Cr. Akins, Sandy Pense, Kay Nelson, Linda Watterud, Brent Dodrill (7:30pm), CM Ealy, CR Carey, PWS Strawn, Librarian McKinnon.

 

Absent:  Cr. Butcher, Jackie Freeborn, Dan Burke, Jerald Polzin.

 

B.     Departmental Budgets

1)      Personnel & Benefit Issues – CM Ealy reviewed two options available to decrease personal services in the budget.  If the City does not pick up the employee portion of PERS for five new employees but they get their 3% raise, there would be a savings of $11,000.  If the City picks up the employee portion of PERS for five new employees and does not give them another 3% raise, there would be a savings of $3,000.  The Budget Committee discussed the options and liked the option of not paying for employee PERS pickup but giving the employees a 3% raise for a savings of $11,000.  The Committee discussed the differences in last year’s personal services budget and this year’s. 

2)    Library – Beth McKinnon reviewed the proposed Library budget.  The Library will receive an additional $50,000 this year from the County levy funds but McKinnon feels this is the last year they will receive such a large increase.  There are a few libraries expanding and increasing their circulation.  Since the distribution is based on circulation, this will decrease Estacada’s portion of the levy.  The library will be adding one full time position this year.

3)    Police – CM Ealy stated that a 6% increase in the Sheriff’s contract is expected.  CM will review the contract and begin negotiations with the Sheriff’s Department for the next fiscal year. 

4)    Parks Maintenance – CM stated that the park department is now a part of the General Fund.  The park department does not stand on its own and is a proprietary fund and should be part of the general fund.  The Committee discussed the park fund and in particular the park caretaker and contractual services.  PWS stated that the City will have to take care of the new portal area including a restroom and there is money budgeted in contractual to pay for cleaning services for the portal restroom.  Pense does not feel the caretaker is picking up garbage around the park.  CM will look into this. 

5)    Planning & Development – The Committee discussed the planning fees and the fact that the fees do not cover all the expenses in the planning department.  PWS explained there are many inquiries regarding planning that there is no charge for.  Staff spends a lot of time talking to individuals and developers that may never submit any kind of application. 

6)    Administration – CM Ealy and CR Carey explained the administrative expenses.  CR stated that records will be kept on travel and training this year and these will be split accordingly next year to the different enterprise accounts.

7)    Non-Departmental – CR Carey reviewed the non-departmental budget, particularly council expense.  This department contains the $70,000 transfer to streets and contingency.

8)    Building – CM Ealy reviewed the building fund.  Cr. Hartwig explained that the City offers this service cheaper than the County and processes applications in less time.  CM explained that 75% of the fees goes to the building contractor and the other 25% covers the City’s overhead services.

9)    Water, Sewer, Streets, Storm Water – next meeting.

10)  Capital Construction Funds (35 & 70) – next meeting.

11)  Debt Service – next meeting.

 

C.     Receive public comment on proposed 2001-02 budget.  Motions to amend   proposed budget.

                No public comments.

 

D.     Motion to approve proposed budget (with amendments)

                No action.

 

E.     Motion to approve an amount or rate of total ad valorem property taxes to be certified for collection.

                No action.

 

F.      Adjourn

 

        The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.