DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next Budget Committee meeting.
City of Bigfork
Budget Committee Meeting August 21, 2007
Members Present: Amy Tendrup, Amy Pifher, Jon Babcock and Angie Storlie
Members Absent: Chuck Almhjeld
Also Present: Dick Salmi
The Budget Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
The remainder of the General Fund budget was discussed and set as follows:
|
Legislative |
|
|
|
Training |
$400 |
$195 for newly elected and $265 for experienced |
|
Executive |
|
|
|
Training |
$400 |
$195 for newly elected and $265 for experienced |
|
Police |
|
|
|
Wages & Salaries |
$25,560.00 |
Part-time Chief and part-time officer |
|
Other Pay |
$600.00 |
Uniform allowance ($330 each) |
|
PERA |
$734.88 |
|
|
FICA |
$1,955.52 |
|
|
Health Insurance |
$8,671.00 |
|
|
Life Insurance |
$22.80 |
|
|
Worker's Compensation |
$500.00 |
|
|
Operating Supplies |
$2,000.00 |
|
|
Repair & Maint. Supplies |
$2,000.00 |
For vehicle |
|
Professional Services |
$1,600.00 |
Radio fees and pre-employment drug testing |
|
Training Expense |
$400.00 |
|
|
Telephone |
$2,000.00 |
|
|
Postage |
$20.00 |
|
|
Gas & Oil |
$2,500.00 |
|
|
Automobile Insurance |
$500.00 |
|
|
Labor |
$1,000.00 |
For vehicle repairs |
After adding these items, the deficit in the General Fund (before property tax revenue) was $(137650.46). It was determined that lifeguard wages and other associated costs should either be removed from the budget or enough donation revenue should be budgeted for to cover them. There was discussion on proposing that Bigfork Township lease the beach for one year and operate it to see how it goes, with the possibility of a long-term lease or purchase after that. This will be presented to the Council at tomorrow's work session. With the removal of the lifeguard wages and associated costs, the deficit in the General Fund drops to $(127,415.86). The Council and Budget Committee will need to determine if property taxes will be raised to cover this amount, or if additional cuts to the budget will be made.
Water and Sewer Fund budgets were discussed next. City Engineer Julie Kennedy of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. had provided rate information as requested. With the budget that has been proposed for 2008, water and sewer rates for the average user would increase 71% and 88% respectively. The Committee conceded that this was obviously not realistic. Kennedy had also prepared information on a 3% rate increase which is what the City has tried to stay with for the past several years. If the rates for water and sewer were raised 3% for the average user, $46,568.65 would need to be cut from the proposed water budget and $68,067.09 would need to be cut from the proposed sewer budget. The Committee conceded that this also was not realistic and that some middle ground would need to be reached. It was pointed out that rates are still not where they need to be in order to qualify the City for Rural Development grant/loan programs. Tendrup noted that, while we have made strides in the past several years, we still have a long way to go to make the water and sewer funds self-sufficient and prepared for repairs and future projects. It was determined that no decision would be made on the water and sewer rates and budget before tomorrow's work session.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Angie Storlie
City Clerk/Treasurer