COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -Minutes 20101007
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW) – CITY OF MUSKEGO Unapproved
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 7, 2010 draft
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Present were Ald. Soltysiak,
Werner, Borgman, Harenda and Snead, Director of Finance and Administration Sharon
Mueller, and Deputy Clerk Blenski. Ald. Schaumberg was absent. Ald. Fiedler arrived
at 6:30 p.m. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Various Department
Heads were present for their items as reflected below. The Deputy stated that the
meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Snead moved for approval of the September 28, 2010 minutes. Ald. Borgman
seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Johnson stated that the Committee would continue review of the proposed
Operating Budget, and then review the Water and Sewer budgets. He noted that Ald.
Soltysiak had several items that he wanted to discuss with various department heads.
Ms. Mueller distributed a “Budget Summary - Amended Proposal,” which reflects a
potential increase in expenditures and decrease in revenues in the amount of $130,520
(see attached).
Library
Library Director Jane Genzel was present. Discussion:
Ald. Soltysiak
Budget for Print Materials increased $11,700. Would like to keep the same amount
budgeted last year. Reduction would help fund new position.
There are other revenue sources, such as fund raising done by Friends of the
Library.
Ms. Genzel
City’s library is at basic level, which is the lowest. Need to advance.
Costs continue to increase. She does not foresee receiving additional money
through fundraising efforts.
Mayor
Does not believe the amount should be reduced. There has been criticism that
there is a lack of book material.
Ald. Borgman
Suggested the increased amount be cut in half ($5,850).
Ald. Snead
Agrees with the compromise. If materials are not at the library, patrons will stop
coming.
Police Department
Police Chief Paul Geiszler was present. Discussion:
Committee of the Whole Page 2
October 7, 2010
Ald. Soltysiak
Asked why budget for Supplies & Expenses-Field Operations increased by $1,350.
Chief Geiszler
Increase represents two new sets of training gear ($334.98 each), outdoor lighting
($196.54) and prison incarceration and alcohol blood testing ($500).
Common Council/Mayor
Ald. Soltysiak
Asked why budget for Dues and Memberships increased by $485.
Mayor
Dues for League of Wisconsin Municipalities increased.
Finance & Administration
Ald. Borgman
Asked why there is an increase in Conferences and Training
Ms. Mueller
She is working toward obtaining the certification for municipal clerk.
Non-Departmental
Discussion took place regarding the $10,000 budgeted in Office Supplies and Expenses
and the $10,000 budgeted in Miscellaneous Supplies and Expenses. Ald. Soltysiak
would like to reduce the $20,000 total to $14,000. Ald. Werner disagreed with the
proposed reduction. Ald. Fiedler arrived at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Johnson suggested
reducing Miscellaneous Supplies and Expenses (100.01.06.00.5704) by $2,000. Ald.
Snead, Werner, Soltysiak and Fiedler agreed.
Information Systems/GIS
Ald. Soltysiak recommended reducing Account 100.01.14.00.5301 Training from $5,000
to $4,000. Majority were in agreement.
CDD – Building & Plumbing Inspection
Ald. Borgman recommended reducing Account 100.02.25.00.5820 Contracted Services
from $10,000 to $9,000. Majority were in agreement.
Parks Department - Operations
Discussion took place regarding the $6,100 increase for Contracted Services. The
Mayor stated the number is driven by bids that were received. He actually increased
the amount by $3,000 over what the Department Head requested. The consensus
was to leave the proposed amount of $63,700 in the budget.
CDD – Planning Division
Discussion took place regarding the amounts budgeted for Professional Services
($6,000) and Economic Development ($8,000).
Committee of the Whole Page 3
October 7, 2010
Ald. Borgman
How the money is spent should be decided by the elected officials, not the
department head.
Ald. Fiedler
It is a budget issue if the discussion is whether the number is too high or too low. It
is a different issue if you want to discuss who is spending it.
Mayor Johnson
The money is spent under the direction of the City Purchasing Policy.
He noted that the Department Head has already reduced the amount for Economic
Development by $2,000.
Ald. Fiedler
A review of how money for economic development is spent should be discussed at
a future meeting.
The consensus was to leave the proposed amounts in the budget.
Law
Ald. Harenda
Believes the proposed $100,000 budgeted for Attorney Fees can be reduced to
$90,000.
Mayor Johnson
Staff has been working toward using the attorney less.
The attorney has not been attending the Council meetings.
In 2011, labor negotiations will take place; arbitration may be likely.
There are also several unsettled lawsuits.
Ald. Harenda
Suggested $95,000 is budgeted.
The consensus was to budget $95,000 for Attorney Fees (100.01.05.00.5805).
Contingency Fund
Ald. Harenda
Questions the increase of $50,000 to the Contingency Fund.
Mayor Johnson
The City can incur unexpected expenses as a result of unforeseen events, such as
a snowstorm. A few years ago, the City incurred over $100,000 in expenses as a
result of one storm.
Budgeting additional money is not bad. Proper budgeting ensures that the City will
maintain a favorable bond rating.
He supports the increase because there are potential liabilities that could financially
impact the City.
Ald. Snead
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October 7, 2010
The proposed 2011 general levy includes an increase of 2.765% and a proposed
decrease of 5.20% to the debt service levy for a net levy increase of 1.245%. This
would result in a tax rate of $4.45 or an increase of $0.035.
Ms. Mueller reviewed the proposed Budget Summary (attached), which outlines the
proposed changes from the 2010 budget. The Mayor stated that pay for performance or
merit pay for non-represented employees is not included in the budget. He
recommends that the program be reviewed at the end of the year.
The Committee determined that it would not meet on September 21. The next budget
meeting would be Tuesday, September 28.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Harenda, motion carried.
Minutes taken and transcribed by
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk