08/19/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 8!19/2008 C'? anticipated changes that may take place in the workers' compensation program, either through self-insurance or the other option that is available, it was anticipated there would be a significant increase in the in-house activity to control and run that program. The request was brought forward to create an additional employment specialist position. The City Council arguments on the other side were that Council is not sufficiently aware of where the city is financially for the remainder of this year, and there is an upcoming potential of a one to one-half million dollar financial issue to deal with for the budget year next year. In the committee meeting, Councilman Barker made a motion to hold the matter in committee, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Kearney. The committee voted 3-0, to hold the matter in committee until the committee could get a clearer picture on (1) whether or not the city was actually going to be participating in this new program; and (2) what the city's financial outlook was beginning in 2009. • Resolution 2008-97 is a resolution adopting the alternative tax budget for the city of North Olmsted for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and submitting the same to the County Auditor and declaring an emergency. This is the alternative tax budget for the city of North Olmsted for next year, and it is required that the city pass this in order for the county to levy taxes. It's a statement of our need and indicates all the current financial tax obligations and the balances and our need going into the future. If we don't pass this, then there will be no tax for next year which would mean there would not be any revenue to provide services that were paid for in part by our property tax. The Finance Director provided the explanation, and comments were made by resident Mr. Jirn Burns. In committee, Councilman Gazeau made a motion to recommend approval, the motion was seconded by Councilman Barker and passed 3-0. • Ordinance 2008-98 is an ordinance to make and transfer appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the city of North Olrnsted for the year ending December 31, 2008. There were a number of issues that were brought forward in the discussion of this transfer ordinance. First, there was a small line item change for Dr. Thomas to attend an educational seminaz. There also was a significant expenditure of $137,000 for the Stearns-Cook project which the city agreed to pay years ago, but have just now been invoiced. The Safety Director's travel is quite limited; she will be driving and is being very frugal with how that is done. The committee had no concerns with that. The most controversial issue of the evening was the indication that there would be pay raises for the non- bargaining secretaries, the administrative assistant and then all of the non-elected directors. This was brought forward and proposed by the Mayor. The indication from the Mayor was that there were some equity issues with respect to the fact that the bargaining secretaries had been able to successfully bargain a pay increase of 3 %. The Mayor felt that in order for equity to prevail that the non- bargaining secretaries should receive the same pay increase. He also felt the same for the directors. It was said repeatedly, if we have a financial situation coming up next year, we're not going to be able to balance the budget on this small group of people. (He believes the number is under 10.) The response of City Council was they just simply don't have a financial picture for next year. Without having 8 _ s~~ w~.„