HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 - November 28, 2011 COW - Special Meeting
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
November 28, 2011
The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain.
Budgetary Discussion
City Manager Sean Stegall gave a brief overview of the meeting’s agenda. The objectives were
to present the balanced approach version two with discussion regarding the general and riverboat
fund and the street resurfacing plan and review any questions from the Council. The presentation
is on file in City Clerk’s office.
Balanced Approach Version Two
City Manager Stegall reviewed the previous budget discussions. The latest version of the budget
seeks to address concerns regarding acceptability, reliability, and equity. Mr. Stegall noted that
the total revenue of $1,929,010 in this budget version had not changed from the previous
proposal.
The Refuse Fee would be used towards the structural deficit. In order to reduce the burden on
the homeowners the cost went down from $18.00 to $13.30 per month. This fee is a direct pass
thru from the cost of the vendor.
Utility taxes would be part of the property tax diversification plan. This would be established to
allow for property tax relief. Homeowners would have more control versus property tax and it
would be more equitable.
Corporation Counsel Cogley discussed the rate structure for the utility tax, electricity and natural
gas, and provided background on what the statute allows the city to do in relation to tax. A
typical household would have a tax for natural gas of $29.48 per year and electric of $33.53 per
year.
Corporation Counsel Cogley reviewed the proposed electrical aggregation. The City would use
purchasing power to obtain lower rates, with a potential for 20% savings, for the citizens.
Residents would not have to participate in the program and could opt out. In order to move
forward with this a referendum would need passed. The next opportunity for this question to be
on the ballot would be the March 2012 primary election.
An alcoholic beverage tax would be used towards the structural deficit and start July 1st. The 3%
tax would be passed on to consumers and it was recommended that the liquor licenses annual
Committee of the Whole
November 28, 2011
Page 2
fees be reviewed and potentially reduced.
As proposed in the balance approach version two there would a transfer from the Riverboat fund
to the General fund from 2012-2015 of 3.55 million dollars and in 2016 back to down to the
2011 amount of 1.7 million.
The Council discussed the riverboat fund policy and if it should be changed. There was a
question about obtaining the current number of vehicles in the City to have the exact amount a
vehicle sticker could generate.
There was discussion about funding social services, the arts and the PACE bus route. The
funding for social services would be a grant program, no direct funding, with the guidelines of
the grant program to be determined. PACE original funded because PACE was going to
eliminate route based on ridership. That level of ridership is the same as before and therefore
would not have a large impact. Also discussed was alternatives to bus route such as the PACE
commuter van service.
The bottom line between version one is $216 per year and version two is $58.68 per year based
on 2013 numbers a full year of the different changes.
There was a break from 7:25 p.m.-7:35 p.m.
Street Resurfacing Plan
Dave Lawry Public Services Director outlined the ten year street resurfacing plan. He noted that
the last five years of the plan are subject to change based on different variables. This plan would
use designated funds from a hone rule sales tax increase. Based on estimates the 1.75 million
brought in by the increase to the sales tax would allow for 6.8 miles of streets to be resurfaced.
He noted that it costs $250,000 to resurface, and one millions to completely rehab one mile of
road. The plan will allow for planning and communication to residents.
Summary and Questions
The next Committee of the Whole meeting would be November 30th at 6 p.m. in Council
Chambers. Items to be discussed: recreation fun, water and sewer funds, analysis of overtime
expenditures, and a budget summary including review of proposed ordinances supporting the
budget.
Committee of the Whole
November 28, 2011
Page 3
Adjournment
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell,
Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis December 21, 2011
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved