Regular 3.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 03/10/2014
- TITLE
- Public Hearing and Approval of Resolution Approving and Adopting Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year 2013/2014
- PRESENTED BY:
- Patrick M. Weber
- Department:
- City Hall Administration
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
Throughout FY14, Council has approved the Police, Fire and Teamster contracts which included a previously unbudgeted 2.9% COLA. Council also approved a 2.9% COLA for the nonbargaining employee group. Current revenues or reserves will be used to pay for these costs.
After completion of the FY14 budget, the state retirement authorities passed legislation requiring an additional City contribution for the State Retirement Funds. Current revenues or reserves will be used to pay for these costs.
Fund 2090 - Building Inspection Fund
In FY14, the City added another position in the building department to help process plan reviews. The City is experiencing an increase in building permit activity. Current revenues will be used to pay for this position.
Fund 7090 - Police Programs Fund
In FY14, the Police Department purchased two drug detection and enforcement dogs for use in police operations. The Police Department did fundraising to pay for this.
Fund 2250 - Emergency Operating Center 9-1-1 Fund
In FY13, the 9-1-1 equipment payment was inadvertently made from the Radio Fund, but should have been made from the Emergency Operating Center 9-1-1 Fund. Current revenues will be used to pay for the equipment.
Fund 1500 - Public Safety Fund, Police and Fire Departments
On February 10, 2014, the City Council approved the purchase of radios using General Fund reserves.
Fund 0100 - General Fund, Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Department; Fund 8730 - Park Maintenance District 1 Fund
The Parks, Recreation and Public Lands department is proposing to increase hourly wage rates for summer seasonal employees to be competitive in the local economy and with other similar service providers in Billings. The concern is that the City will not be able to attract enough applicants this summer to offer the level of services and parks maintenance to which our community is accustomed. The positions included with this amendment are for Parks, Aquatic, Forestry and Cemetery seasonal staff. Without enough seasonal staff the City will have to consider reduced pool hours or facility closures, park restroom closures, less frequent irrigating and mowing, etc. Reserves will be used to pay for the increases. (See PRPL Attachment)
After completion of the FY14 budget, the state retirement authorities passed legislation requiring an additional City contribution for the State Retirement Funds. Current revenues or reserves will be used to pay for these costs.
Fund 2090 - Building Inspection Fund
In FY14, the City added another position in the building department to help process plan reviews. The City is experiencing an increase in building permit activity. Current revenues will be used to pay for this position.
Fund 7090 - Police Programs Fund
In FY14, the Police Department purchased two drug detection and enforcement dogs for use in police operations. The Police Department did fundraising to pay for this.
Fund 2250 - Emergency Operating Center 9-1-1 Fund
In FY13, the 9-1-1 equipment payment was inadvertently made from the Radio Fund, but should have been made from the Emergency Operating Center 9-1-1 Fund. Current revenues will be used to pay for the equipment.
Fund 1500 - Public Safety Fund, Police and Fire Departments
On February 10, 2014, the City Council approved the purchase of radios using General Fund reserves.
Fund 0100 - General Fund, Parks, Recreation and Public Lands Department; Fund 8730 - Park Maintenance District 1 Fund
The Parks, Recreation and Public Lands department is proposing to increase hourly wage rates for summer seasonal employees to be competitive in the local economy and with other similar service providers in Billings. The concern is that the City will not be able to attract enough applicants this summer to offer the level of services and parks maintenance to which our community is accustomed. The positions included with this amendment are for Parks, Aquatic, Forestry and Cemetery seasonal staff. Without enough seasonal staff the City will have to consider reduced pool hours or facility closures, park restroom closures, less frequent irrigating and mowing, etc. Reserves will be used to pay for the increases. (See PRPL Attachment)
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The Council may: Approve the requested budget amendments; or Not approve the requested budget amendments, which would put the City in violation of Montana Code Annotated.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The requested budget amendments will be funded by current revenues or reserves.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and approve the resolution approving and adopting the budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2013/2014.