COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 9/20/2007
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 20, 2007
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. and led those present in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Johnson, City Administrator Sheiffer, Ald. Snead, Pavelko, Borgman,
Werner, Melcher, Schaefer, and Fiedler. Department Heads/Other Staff present:
Finance Department Supervisor Mueller, Police Chief Geiszler, IS Director Sommers,
and Deputy Clerk Blenski.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of the September 13, 2007 minutes. Ald. Fiedler
seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation and Review of Proposed 2008 Operating Budget
Mayor Johnson stated that the City’s proposed 2008 Operating Budget was on the web,
and hard copies were available for review at the Library and City Hall. The Mayor noted
that the City Administrator and Sharon Mueller did an excellent job in preparation of the
budget documents. He pointed out Supplemental Memo “A” (located in Section 11)
prepared by the City Administrator, which contains some explanatory information and
definitions that may be helpful.
The Mayor stated the proposed 2008 budget accomplished the following goals:
1. To minimize any tax levy increase for taxpayers while ensuring the City’s
continued sound fiscal health.
2. To provide increased resources for City economic development efforts.
3. To present a proposed budget that includes no new debt.
4. To financially plan for the City’s major Janesville Road downtown reconstruction
project.
5. To continue all present services and programs for residents and taxpayers.
The 2008 proposed budget reflects a 1.46% increase in both expenditures and
revenues. The total tax levy would increase 2.755% for general fund operations and
debt service. The proposed tax rate of $4.61 per thousand dollars of assessed value is
the same as last year. The Mayor reviewed some of the significant changes to the 2008
General Fund Budget regarding revenues and expenditures. He noted that under
Capital Outlay, he recommended that $24,000 be removed for one Police Dept. vehicle;
however, the actual dollars removed were for two vehicles. Mayor Johnson stated that
he is recommending that no new positions be created as well as any vacant positions
be filled.
Committee of the Whole Page 2
September 20, 2007
Ms. Mueller briefly reviewed the Official Notice for the budget public hearing, which will
be published on October 18, 2007. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday,
November 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Sheiffer noted that this will be a special Common
Council meeting and all aldermen are required to attend.
Ms. Sheiffer reviewed Section 3: Revenues. The actual activity of the past three years
was reviewed in preparing the 2008 budget. She identified the three main sources of
revenue: taxes, transportation aids and shared revenue. Two other sources are:
licenses and permits and earned interest. The Mayor’s recommended total general
fund revenues for 2008 are projected to be $13,636,157, which reflects a 1.46%
increase over the 2007 budget.
Ms. Mueller then reviewed Section 4: Revenue Graphics.
Ald. Werner and Fiedler requested that an evaluation be done to determine if a portion
of the City’s overhead costs can be added to fees that are charged. The Mayor stated
that he intends to direct Department Heads to review all fee structures to determine if
any increases should be implemented. The proposed 2008 budget does not reflect any
increases.
Mayor Johnson reviewed his recommendations regarding some of the requested
expenditures. (See attached.) He is recommending that total expenditures be
decreased by $653,411.
Police Chief Geiszler appeared before the Committee. The Mayor has recommended
that $4,000 be removed from the Professional & Consulting line item. This is money
paid to Ron Gifford who is working with the Administrative Assistant in compiling the
Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) so that these statistics can be electronically sent to the
necessary state and federal agencies. Chief Geiszler stated that he might need to
request additional funds in the future if the conversion takes longer than six months.
Chief Geiszler reviewed the following requests:
Request/Rationale Cost
Fill Detective Position with Patrol Officer $5,162.43
To help with increasing caseload in the Detective Bureau.
Promote Two Patrol Officers to Patrol Sergeant $7,487.52
To implement a policy in which it would be mandatory to
have a trained supervisor on duty at all times.
Total with Benefits Minus $4,200 for Officer in Charge Pay $23,519
Ald. Snead requested a breakdown of the department’s organizational structure.
Chief Geiszler stated he originally requested the purchase of one SUV and three patrol
cars. It was the Mayor’s recommendation to reduce the capital budget by $24,000.
However, money for two vehicles was taken out of the 2008 proposed capital budget in
error. He is requesting that funding for one vehicle be put back in.
Committee of the Whole Page 3
September 20, 2007
IS Director Sommers reviewed the following requests:
Request/Rationale Cost
Crystal Reports Training from Phoenix for Director $1,500
Other departments (Building, Recreation) could use the
reports once someone is trained.
Microsoft Vista Training for Computer Specialist $1,200
Training for new operating system to be implemented in the
future (2008 or 2009).
State of Wisconsin Virtual Training $200
Total Request for Training $2,900
Mr. Sommers also requested that Programming and Consulting be increased to $7,500.
(The Mayor’s recommendation is $6,000.) In reviewing 2006, $1,500 more than that
was spent. This year and next year, he believes $7,500 will be needed.
The Committee took a brief recess.
Upon reconvening, Ms. Sheiffer reviewed the General Fund Expenditures.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Common Council/Mayor - 35.98%
Clerk-Treasurer - 7.56%
Administrator 0.00%
Assessor and Board of Review 5.59%
Law 12.50%
Non-Departmental 25.87%
Elections 124.92%
Municipal Court 3.72%
City Hall 7.51%
Information Systems -8.49%
Finance -31.93%
General Government Total -0.74%
PUBLIC SAFETY
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Police Department - Police Patrol 6.59%
Police Department - Civilian Personnel 6.11%
Volunteer Fire Departments 8.79%
Non-Departmental Public Safety -39.18%
Building & Plumbing Inspection -1.63%
Committee of the Whole Page 4
September 20, 2007
Public Safety Total 5.92%
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Non-Departmental 11.70%
Non-Departmental Public Safety 0.00%
Health and Human Services Total 11.23%
PUBLIC WORKS
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Engineering Department -0.69%
Public Works Administration 20.80%
Road Maintenance 25.29%
Street Signs and Guide Board 33.00%
Storm Water, Sewers & Drains -17.27%
Snow Removal and Ice Control -25.89%
Street Lighting - Utilities 9.81%
Machinery and Equipment 1.00%
City Garage 8.67%
Bridges and Dams -66.58%
Weed Cutting -6.63%
Public Works Total 0.48%
CULTURE, RECREATION AND EDUCATION
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Non-Departmental 4.53%
Library 4.30%
Parks Department 2.41%
Recreation Department 2.72%
Culture, Recreation and Educ. Total 3.42%
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Planning Department 14.61%
Conservation and Development Total 14.61%
CAPITAL OUTLAY
Department 2008 % Change from 2007 Budget
Police Department * -26.66%
Public Works Department -25.28%
Capital Outlay Total -25.39%
Committee of the Whole Page 5
September 20, 2007
* Does not reflect funding needed for one additional vehicle.
CONTINGENCY FUND -16.79%
DEBT SERVICE 0.00%
Ms. Sheiffer stated total general fund expenditures for 2008 are proposed to be
$13,636,157, which reflects a 1.46% increase. Ms. Mueller then reviewed Section 6:
Expenditure Graphics. She noted that total personnel costs are 68.58% of the budget.
The City Administrator also noted that a draft resolution establishing 2008 wages for
non-union employees was in Section 6. The salaries reflect a 2.5% increase, which the
Common Council would have to approve. The 2.5% is in line with the increase for the
represented employees. Once adopted, the resolution will be published. Ms. Sheiffer
next reviewed Section 7: Staffing Summary. She stated that the proposed 2008 budget
reflects a reduction in full-time employees of 4.76. It is proposed that some
departments may share staff to make full use of existing personnel. Ms. Sheiffer noted
that Section 11 contains several supplemental memos that provide additional
information that the Council may find useful. Ms. Mueller reviewed the state levy limits
and the rationale used to determine the proposed 2008 levy. She stated that the City
could potentially raise the levy by $89,000.
The Mayor asked that an e-mail be sent to him or the City Administrator if any Council
member would like a specific Department Head present at a future meeting, or needs
any other information regarding the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried.
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk