HomeMy WebLinkAboutv - November 7, 2012 COW (Special)
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
November 7, 2012
The Special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 5:10 p.m.
in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmember Dunne.
Discussion regarding the Budget Schedule
City Manager Stegall reviewed the current budget meeting schedule and asked if the council
would be open to changing the December 19th meeting to December 12th. This would allow stay
adequate time to prepare the documents that need to be filed with Kane County.
Discussion regarding 2013 Proposed Budget and 2013-2017 General Fund Financial Plan
City Manager Stegall provided a review of last year’s financial situation and compared it to this
year’s proposed budget. A copy of the presentation is on file with the City Clerk’s office.
He noted that the city has a AAA bond rating from Fitch Ratings. They stated that, “Strong
Fiscal Management: Elgin’s conservative fiscal management, extensive financial planning and
healthy reserve levels provide ample flexibility.”
City Manager Stegall noted the following three points about the proposed budget: 1) Property
Tax Levy is going down again and in an amount greater than previously planned and for the third
year in a row for a cumulative reduction of 20%. 2) City staff continues to control costs with the
general fund expenditures projected to end the year under budget by $344,120. The decisions
made by staff were reflective of a city still in the midst of a financial crisis. 3) The 2013 Budget
is a maintenance budget in which the priority would be in maintaining city buildings and fleet.
Councilmember Powell asked for an example of how the proposed reduction in property tax
would affect the typical homeowner. It was suggested that residents look at the total dollar
amount that is collect by the city instead of the multiplier. Staff noted that examples of property
tax bills would be reviewed at future presentations.
Councilmember Moeller asked about the refuse fee and the status of the current contract with
Waste Management. City Manager Stegall noted that the city would be going through the
bidding process and a strategic plan subcommittee would look at different service levels and
other factors to include in the bid process.
Mayor Kaptain explained the reasoning behind the storm water study. There are certain
obligations that are required of the city. There are storm water permits and other legal
requirements. These requirements can be costly and a way several communities have address
this is through a storm water tax.
Committee of the Whole
November 7, 2012
Page 2
Councilmember Moeller asked about the storm water utility tax in relation to the five year plan.
City Manager Stegall noted that the revenue could come from another source and the storm
water utility is another revenue diversification measure. The revenue could be used for a variety
of projects such as combined sewer separation or catch basins. Mayor Kaptain noted that the
needs assessment will be key to help determine where to get the funds and how they should be
spent. Councilmember Prigge inquired about the length of time the combined sewer issue went
unaddressed. City Manager Stegall noted that other priorities, such as street replacement, were
addressed first.
The Council took a break from 6:25 p.m.-6:35 p.m.
Chief Financial Officer Colleen Lavery provided year to date 2012 financial report. A copy of
the presentation is on file with the City Clerk’s office.
Ms. Lavery stated that 2012 general fund revenues are estimated at $102,646,000, which if
achieved, will result in total revenues exceeding budget by approximately $2,000,000. And the
estimated general fund expenditures are slightly less than budgeted at $95,716,000. Therefore,
by exceeding the revenue targets while maintaining the expenditure levels allows for the further
reduction of 2013 property taxes by this additional $2,000,000.
She reviewed the status of General Fund revenue sources. Ms. Lavery noted that significant
improvements towards the diversification goal were made as a result of adding the utility taxes.
Property taxes, including the police and fire pension levies, are estimated at $38,277,790 or 37%
in 2012 and budgeted at $33,266,000 or approximately 31% in 2013. The total property tax
levied by the city is allocated to the general, debt service and pension funds. The total property
taxes extended in 2011, for collection in 2012, were $46,247,000. The property taxes to be levied
in 2012, for collection in 2013, are $40,547,000. This equates to a $5,700,000 or 12.3% decrease
in the total property tax levy.
There was discussion regarding staffing and the addition of one full time position. It was noted
that it would cost less to add a full time position than it would to outsource.
The concept of working cash carryover was discussed and the analogy of “the money in your
wallet in between paychecks’ was used. City Manager Stegall noted that this working cash was
completely different from the emergency reserve.
Ms. Lavery noted that overall expenditures for 2013 are increasing 2.5%. Wages and benefits are
budgeted to increase 4.2% to account for contractually obligated cost of living increases, health
insurance benefits and pension contributions. The 2013 expenditure budget also includes a
$2,000,000 capital outlay for public safety fleet purchases as well as a $1,000,000 annual
payment for the purchase of the public safety radio system.
Committee of the Whole
November 7, 2012
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There was discussion regarding the status of fines, the fee study, and the possibility of a
streamlined business licensing process.
Preview the Strategic Plan
City Manager Stegall provided a draft of the strategic plan which was included in the draft
budget. He highlighted seven priority areas for the council’s review and noted there would be
an in depth discussion in two weeks. He asked that the council review the plan, provide
comments, adopt and implement starting January 1st. He noted that there would be opportunity
for citizen input via surveys and quarterly reports to the council on the progress of the objectives.
Adjournment
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis November 28, 2012
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved