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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-09-09city council minutesBook 29 SPECIAL MEETING September 9, 1988 4:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Pete Cowles. Pare 206 The Mayor requested that everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Raymond, Winder, Houchins, Mallea, Jarboe, and Straight. Absent: none. (PUBLIC HEARING FOR INPUT ON THE 1988 -89 BUDGET) Mayor Cowles explained that this Special Meeting was called for the purpose of a public hearing for input on the 1988 --89 budget and for consideration of - the Appropriation Ordinance for 1988 -89. The Mayor explained the sign up sheet to those" in attendance and stated that he would give them a few minutes to sign if they cared to testify. The Mayor then opened the public hearing and asked Councilman Winder to give a brief overview of the budget and the reason for the additional hearing. Councilman Winder stated that the Council was holding this meeting to meet the requirements of the law. The property tax levy was not made a part of the publication in the newspaper. Therefore, it was necessary to print the notice again and have a second hearing. The information provided that the estimated property tax revenue would be $2,259,619. Other estimated revenues would be $7,185,179; an estimated carryover of $3,981,867 for a total revenue of $13,426,656 which is the total of the budget. Mr. Winder stated that before continuing, he would like to make some remarks. He said that at the last meeting, he made some comments that were not timely, did not relate to the budget, should not have been made in the spirit in which they were made nor in the situation in which they were made. Mr. Winder stated that he expressed his regrets to all who had to sit through these remarks and his future comments will be appropriate to the occasion. Councilman Winder then asked the :Finance Director if she had any comments to make at this time. Mrs. Talley said that the only thing not covered at the other public hearing with regard to the property tax was the the actual amount the City was certifying on the tax roll this year. This was less than last year by $5,600. The reason was that the Firemen's Contract was signed and in place before the budget was established. Therefore, they were able to tell how much the merger would actually cost the City. Councilman Winder asked if there was anyone in attendance at this time who did not attend the other hearing that would like to ask some questions pertaining to the budget before the testimony was given. Terry Bonner was recognized and asked for clarification on what the special Administrative Assistant was going to be doing. Mr. Bonner stated that he had not heard any explanation for this position. Councilman Winder explained that the Administrative Assistant or Purchasing Agent, whatever title was given to that person, would be establishing a centralized purchasing system for the City of Caldwell. This has not been done previously. They will also assist the Mayor with those administrative duties ^ook 29 Page 207 where the job simply does allow him adequate time to gather sufficient data to be able to make decisions in a timely manner. More effective government would be the benefit to the people. Councilman Houchin.s was one of the Council members instrumental in pushing this concept primarly from the purchasing agent standpoint. Councilman Houchins further stated be better usage of money and time equipment by having someone that keeping up with all departments a: scheduling. that he felt there could and probably City owned on a day to day basis is to their activities and Mayor Cowles also informed Mr. Bonner that there was a job description for this position if he cared to pick one up for his purusal. The Mayor then recognized Terry Bonner, who was the only one signed up to speak at this time. Mayor Cowles informed Mr. Bonner that the time allowed would. be flexible. Mr. Bonner then addressed the Mayor and City Council stating that his question was about the Administrative Assistant. His concern was whether this person would save the City $55,000 or will it create more of a bureaucracy. He also questioned if this was a step in the direction of having a part time Mayor. He realized the pay for the Mayor was a part time salary, but he thought it was to be a full time job. Mr. Bonner also asked if the Council was considering a City Manager type of government. He continued stating that the idea of a part time Mayor might have merit, but if this was the plan they should tell the people and ask them if it was what they wanted. Mr. Bonner felt if the form of City government was being considered for a change, the voters should make that determination. Mayor Cowles stated that at no time was the position ever promised $55,000. The City Council has attempted to put in place an amount of money that would interest top notch professional people. ' amount would be negotiable at the time an individual was hired. The Mayor explained at some length the need for consideration of a person with qualifications to fill this position. Councilman Jarboe was recognized and stated that the comments made by the Mayor were certainly not negative and do make a lot of sense. He further reminded everyone that he was one of the first to support the idea of an Administrative Assistant. Mr. Jarboe said that he still thought it was a good idea and he also felt that having a part time Mayor was a good idea sometime in the future. He was, however, concerned about which direction they were going and what kind of input was planned. If they intended to change the form of government in Caldwell, they should ask the people by taking a vote as to what they wanted. For that reason, Councilman Jarboe stated that he would like to move towards a reduced budget. Mayor Cowles reminded Councilman Jarboe that the public hearing was still open and should be closed before any motions are made. Councilman Raymond was recognized and stated that he has agreed that there was a need for an Administrative Assistant, but he did believe that the Administrative Assistant and the City Manager were two distinct, different issues. Mr. Raymond informed the Council and audience about a meeting held at the hospital several years ago. At that meeting, the group determined that having an administrator for the City was a top priority. The City Code presently calls for a full time Mayor which was a decision made by a Council some years ago. ,00k 29 Rage 208 The Code can be changed to allow for the part time Mayor. However, the State law dictates that there has to be a vote of the people to have a City Manager type of City government. Councilman Raymond stated that he was in agreement with the concept of the Administrative Assistant. Mayor Cowles closed the public hearing and asked for further comments or discussion from the City Council. Councilwoman Mallea was recognized and stated that she did object to the high increase in the budget. She did not believe that the position would save substantial amounts of money through purchasing. Mrs. Mallea further said that she thought the bid process in place was sufficient and the quality of the present staff precludes the need for this person. The only way she thought money could be saved was to combine departments and deleting department heads. After further comments, Mrs. Mallea stated that she could not support a budget that included this large increase in the Executive fund. Councilman Winder explained that the original salary for the Administrative Assistant was $55,000. Mr. Winder continued stating that this figure was the trop figure the City would be willing to pay. The advertisement for the position listed the salary as $45,000 as the top figure and a lower figure of $35,000. The amount would be negotiated. Mr. Winder also said that no decision has been made with regard to hiring clerical help. It was then MOVED by Jarboe, SECONDED by Mallea for a reduced budget from $13,426,665 minus $58,530 in salaries in the Executive category; minus $15,890 in fringe in the Executive category; and minus $5,000 in the M & 0 in the Executive budget making the total budget $13,347,245. The Mayor then opened the meeting again for Council discussion. After hearing from both Councilman Winder and Houchins, the Mayor requested a roll call vote explaining that a yes vote would be to decrease the budget. The tape of this meeting will be on file in the Office of the City Clerk for six months. Roll call vote. Those voting yes Jarboe and Mallea. Those voting no: Straight, Raymond, Winder, and Houchins. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION DENIED MOVED by Winder, SECONDED by Raymond that the budget for the 1988 -89 be approved as submitted. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Winder, Houchins, Straight, and Raymond. Those voting no: Mallea and Jarboe. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (BILL NO. 17 - APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR 1988 -89) Mayor Cowles read Bill No. 17 in full as follows: AN ORDINANCE TERMED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BILL, APPROPRIATING MONEY IN SUCH SUM AND SUMS AS ARE DEEMED NECESSARY TO DEFRAY ALL PROPER EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF THE CITY OF CALDWELL, IDAHO, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING THE FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, 1988, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 50 -1003, IDAHO CODE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE Pool,- 29 CITY OF CALDWELL, IDAHO: Page 209 Section 1. That there is appropriated out of any money in the City Treasury, for the purpose of defraying the necessary expenses and liabilities of the City of Caldwell, Idaho, for the fiscal year beginning the first day of October, 1988, the sum and sums of money or so much thereof as may be necessary for the following amounts, to -wit: PROPOSED EXPENDITURES General Fund S 3,472,446 Cemetery 171,768 Library 245,024 Street 1,490,791 Shop 10,550 Airport 203,148 Recreation 181,233 Pool 41,678 Insurance 175,000 Water C.I. 441,000 Sewer C.I. 358776 Cap Imp Levy 266, Water 1,476,855 Sewer - operations 937,880 Sewer - maintenance 121,540 Stadium 164,775 Golf - P.S. 473,812 Golf - F.V. 113,372 Sanitation 767,000 Cemetery C.I. 6,500 Irrigation 482,465 Rehab 150,000 Grant Funds 1,675,000 Total 13,426,665 ESTIMATED REVENUES General Fund 2,737,350 Cemetery 112,105 Library 245,024 Street 898,791 Shop Airport 94,191 Recreation 179,481 Pool Insurance 175,000 Water C.I. 100000 Sewer C.I. 111, Cap Imp Levy 98,131 Water 729,800 Sewer - Operations 659,600 Sewer - Maintenance Stadium 220,600 Golf - P.S. 384,325 Golf - F.V. Sanitation 767,000 Cemetery C.I. 5,800 Irrigation 239,600 Rehab 12,000 Grant Funds 1,675,000 Carryover 3,981,867 Total 13,426,665 MOVED by Winder, SECONDED by Houchins to suspend the rule requiring that a Bill be read at: three separate times and that the Bill be passed after reading in full for the one reading. Book 29 Page 210 Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Winder, Houchins, Mallea, Jarboe, Straight, and Raymond. Those voting no: none, Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED MOVED by Winder, SECONDED by Houchins that Bill No. 17 be passed and entitled Ordinance No. 1787. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Winder, Houchins, Mallea, Jarboe, Straight, and Raymond. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. APPROVED AS written THIS 19th. DAY O� Septerber 1988. P ( I-, — , -; ,— M yor Councilperson C&uncilperson L Council er )ft' U cilpe son Counc lrson Councilp rson. ATTEST: City Clerk`--/