HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-11city council minutesBOOK 50 PAGE 29
SPECIAL MEETING
Workshop
March 11, 2009
6:00 P.M.
(DISCUSS BUDGET FORECASTING AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR FY 2008 -09)
City Council Members in attendance: Blacker, Oates, Callsen, Sobba, and Hopper. Absent: Dakan.
City Staff Members in attendance: E1Jay Waite, Brian Billingsley, Monica Jones, Chris Allgood, Mark
Wendelsdorf, Larry Osgood, and Debbie Geyer
Mayor Nancolas opened the meeting by expressing his appreciation to Council for their foresight in instigating
and approving a cautious budget and for the department heads in their efforts of managing their budgets. The
Finance Department staff has been instrumental for surveillance of the budget.
• E1Jay Waite, 411 Blaine Street, outlined facts about the budget forecast process, noting that there has been
a five percent (5 %) decrease in the total budget. He reported that:
• The general fund balance as of September 30, 2008 was $9,249,487 of which $2,145,977 is
reserved for capital construction of parks and safety service facilities.
• The cash reserved to pay ongoing expenses was $4,634,741 with approximately $1,500,000
available to cover unexpected events relating to the economy.
• In order to balance the 2009 budget, revenues have been adjusted by $575,000 to reflect
reductions in sales tax and building permit collections. Reductions in personnel costs,
operations and maintenance and capital projects were approximately $276,000.
• Department Heads reported on actions they have taken to manage their departmental budgets(s).
• The Mayor reported that the following measures have been taken to insure prudent budget management
procedures:
• Selected employees have been offered reduced hours.
• All overtime pay must be approved by the Mayor.
• No accumulation of compensatory time will be allowed for employees.
• Employee crossing- training efforts have been initiated.
• Evaluation of all projects has been conducted by department heads based on necessity and
cost factors.
• Hiring of part-time personnel has been curtailed. Job - sharing between departments has been
encouraged.
• Work release crews from the Canyon County Sheriffs Department have been activated for
projects specified by the Caldwell Events Center Department and the Parks Department
• A freeze has been put on all merit bonuses. Department heads have been encouraged in use
spot awards in lieu of merit bonuses.
• Councilman Hopper, Callsen, and Blacker expressed their appreciation for the cautious approach and
diligent management practices concerning the current budget.
• The Mayor reported that steps are still being pursued to move forward with the Downtown Catalyst Project
when approval from FEMA has been secured.
(ADJOURNMENT)
The meeting was dismissed at 6:45 p.m.
APPROVED AS written THIS 6 DAY OF APRIL 2009.
Mayor
Councilperson Councilperson
Councilperson Councilperson
Councilperson Councilperson
ATTEST:
City Clerk