ESTACADA BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2007 – 6:30 P.M.

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

          Chair Butcher opened the meeting at 6:30 pm.

 

ROLL CALL AND APPROVAL OF MAY 22, 2007 BUDGET MINUTES

 

Present:  Robert Austin, Pam Butcher, Michele Conditt, Richard Hartwig (arrived at 6:50pm), Emil Hnidey, Amy James, Gary Lewis, Kay Nelson (left at 7:00pm), Ralph Branson, Norm Ernst, CM Randy Ealy, CR Denise Carey, PWD Chris Randall, Interim Library Director Katinka Bryk.

 

Absent:  Becky Arnold, Donn Christiansen, Jane Troeh, Brent Dodrill.

 

Bob Austin moved to approve the May 22, 2007 budget minutes.  Kay Nelson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

CITIZEN INPUT AND COMMENTS

 

BUDGET REVIEW 

 

CM reviewed a list of changes made by staff for the committee to consider. 

 

Kay Nelson would like the Meals on Wheels Program funded at $10,000 instead of the $5,000 proposed by staff.  Bob Austin asked if this was a one-time issue or will they be asking for this in future years?  CM Ealy is not sure if this is a one- year reduction in Medicaid or not.  Michele Conditt feels that Meals on Wheels is a very important part of this community but believes that $5,000 is appropriate since we already support the Community Center through paying water and sewer bills, maintaining the building and insuring the building. 

 

Austin proposed to cut the Mayor’s Ball funding to $4,500 and increase the Meals on Wheels support to $9,500.  It was the consensus of the committee to make this change. 

 

Amy James stated that she would rather fund the library operations with the $5,000 instead of purchasing a sign.  Interim Library Director Bryk stated that the sign is very expensive to buy and install, approximately $10,000.  The Library Foundation has dedicated $5,00 to the cost of the sign.  PWD Randall stated that his crew could help with the installation of the sign to cut the cost.  It was the consensus of the committee to transfer out the $5,000 to the library for operation and maintenance instead of for a new sign. 

 

Ralph Branson wants to be sure that the code enforcement change will not create problems in public safety.  He feels that two days a week is not enough to patrol for cars parked illegally and other safety concerns around the city. 

 

General Fund – CM reviewed revenues & expenditures. The changes discussed above were made in the non-departmental section of the budget.   

 

Building Fund – CM reminded the committee that we contract out for inspection services. 

 

Library Fund – CM explained how the funding has been decreasing each year.  Only 15% of library patrons are inside the city limits leaving 85% of the patrons residing outside the city limits.  Bryk stated that the main reason for asking for the transfer in of $30,000 is to show city support of the library to the county.  This is a political statement at this time. 

 

Chair Butcher stated that she agrees that it is important to support the library but feels it would not be fiscally responsible to take money from the general fund at this time for a political statement.  If the library is $100,000 short next year, the city will have to look to help financially.  Branson stated that support could be in other ways such as an addendum to the budget message that the city will do everything possible to support the library.  Richard Hartwig agrees with Chair Butcher that there are other programs that need to be funded with the general fund revenues.  Bryk asked for at least a transfer of $12,000 – double the transfer from last year – to show increased support.  Conditt feels that the written support in the budget message would be adequate this year.  Austin agrees but suggested at least send a $6,000 transfer to make it the same as last year. 

 

It was the consensus of the committee to transfer an addition $1,000 from the general fund for a total of $6,000 to the library.  This extra $1,000 transfer would be taken from general fund contingency and the total $6,000 transferred in to the library would be placed in the library contingency.  Also, CM Ealy will amend his budget message to verbalize the city’s support of the library for its continue service to the community.

 

Street Fund – CM stated that a new truck is to be purchased and the cost of the truck is spread throughout all the funds. 

 

Water Fund – CM explained that the mill shutting down and a school district meter being repaired has influenced the water collections.  Council will be looking at a water rate increase in the next budget year.

 

Storm Sewer Fund – CM stated that the storm sewer master plan and SDCs would be updated.

 

Sewer Fund – CM stated that this fund is fairly healthy. 

 

Bonded Debt – CR informed the committee that one of the G.O. Bonds would be paid off this year leading to a reduction in property taxes next year.  She also explained that Fund 85 and Fund 86 are supported by payments made by property owners that are benefited by the LID.

 

MOTION TO APPROVE PROPOSED BUDGET

 

Branson moved to approve the 2007-08 budget as amended in the amount of $6,218,535.  Hartwig seconded the motion.  The motion passed with 9 yes and 0 no.

 

MOTION TO APPROVE TOTAL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES 

 

Austin moved to approve a rate of $2.6749 per $1,000 of total ad valorem property taxes to be certified for collection.  Lewis seconded the motion.  The motion passed with 9 yes and 0 no.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

          The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.