03/21/1995 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 3/21/95 and the administration have exhausted every available means, but there is no alternative to raising the rates. The desired carryover in the Sewer Fund is 7% by the end of 1996. b. Appropriations. The current appropriations legislation must be passed by the end of March. However, each division and department head has been asked to balance their departmental budgets by removing the deficit reduction allotment. This should be done by May 12; and, after that time, the administration will present Council with a second appropriations ordinance. All funds, with the exception of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, will be in a positive carryover position by December 31, 1995. Income in 1994 was $350,000 below the projections in addition to $650,000 disappropriated in June of 1994. The desired carryover for the General Fund by the end of 1995 is 7%. Eighty to eighty- fivepercent of the General Fund expenditures are employee-related. Monies in the Sewer Fund cannot be used in the General Fund; monies in the General Fund could be used in the Sewer Fund, but there is no money available for this type of transfer. At this time, it is not advisable to borrow any more money for capital improvements. The current revenue projections are very conservative. 2) A second Finance Committee meeting was held on March 16. In attendance were committee members McKay, Musial, Lmd; Council Members Limpert, Nashar, Miller; Service Director Bohhnann; Safety Director Kasler; Personnel & Administrative Director Wilamosky; Mayor Boyle. The following items were discussed: a. Several residents attended the meeting. Mr. Bill Brewton spoke on his opposition to the proposed sewer rate increase. Mr. Brewton protested the charge based on the outside water usage and also felt that the sewer charge should be based on an average use. However, after some discussion Mr. Brewton agreed that he will probably in~all a second water meter for use of outside water on which no sewer charge will be paid. Ms. Chris Summerville spoke on the need repair of Beech Lane. Mr. Martin Mooney was interested in the city's finances. b. Ordinance 95-7, which increases permit and inspection fees of the Building Department. The Building Department has two inspector vacancies. Fee increases would help to fund the cost of an inspector. In 1995, revenues in the Building Department were $243,000, which did help to pay the inspectors' salaries. The committee recommended passage of the legislation by a vote of two to one. c. Ordinance 95-29, which increases sewer rates. If we do not take definitive action to reduce the deficit, future bond issues will face a higher interest rate due to the appearance of a fiscal difficulty. If we do not take this action, the EPA will. The legislation has been amended to incorporate the $1 storm rate into the operation, maintenance and replacement rate. The committee reluctantly recommended approval. It would be helpful if the city prepared a fact sheet for residents explaining the reasons for the increase. d. Ordinance 94-148, which provides for a non-resident emergency/ambulance "~ transportation fee. In the past, there have been approximately 486 non-resident 4