HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/1980 Adjourned Meeting 2 19
DECEMBER 11, 1980
ADJOURNED MEETING -- BUDGET REVIEW
The City Council met in session on this date at 2:45 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, Yakima, Washington. Council members present were
Mayor Betty L. Edmondson, Lynn Buchanan, Lynn Carmichael, Bruce Crest,
Shirley Doty and Don Hinman. Council member Henry Beauchamp absent.
Mayor Edmondson announced that this meeting was scheduled for the pur-
pose of studying the budget.
1. STREET DEPARTMENT
Willis White, Director of Public Works, and Del Kary, Superin-
tendent of Street Division, reviewed the $1,061,057 budget by
service unit numbers with the aid of a slide presentation.
Speaking about the leaf pickup program, Mr. White commented
11/ that people should be required to bag the leaves so that if
the snow falls prior to the completion of the program, the
leaves can still be picked up and not buried under the snow.
Discussion followed on the street maintenance, comments being
made that the permit for street inspection should cover the
cost to do that inspection. A brief discussion followed on
the vegetation control program, street maintenance, seal coat
program, pedestrian and bike path program, snow and ice con-
trol and capital outlay. Mr. White distributed a copy of the
1981 solid waste disposal fees to be charged by the County in
1981. There will be a 52% increase on land fill charges.
Staff recommended a 20% increase in the refuse rates, which
would provide a $20,000 reserve. Willis White reviewed the
budget for the equipment rental service unit. He reviewed the
positions in this division, stating they have two Mechanic
II's and six Mechanic I's, and proposed one Mechanic II, seven
Mechanic I's, and one Mechanic Shop Supervisor. A Mechanic II
position and a Fleet Maintenance Specialist position were
deleted. He stated that the difference between a Mechanic II
and a Mechanic Shop Supervisor's salary is about $1,000. He
also reviewed the replacement formula for equipment and ve-
hicles and also the maintenance and operation rates. He spoke
about the insurance savings in this division in the amount of
$64,000 and his recommendation to keep that amount in his
budget to cover a possible shortfall for fuel, parts and
supplies budgeted for 1981, which are uncontrolled budget
items.
2. FINANCE
Art Zerbach, Director of Finance and Budget, reported that the
City is in conformance with the State accounting principles,
however, the State is not in conformance with the generally
accepted accounting principles. He stated that this could be
a problem when the City would want to issue bonds which would
create an extra expense for the City. He stated that the
Finance Officers in the State are attempting to change the
State law, and in the near future the City may be faced with
II/ revising its accounting systems. Mr. Zerbach mentioned that
his department is having problems getting requested informa-
tion to various departments with his staff level at a minimum.
He reviewed the staffing level for his division since 1978
which shows an increase of not quite one full time person. In
speaking about the Accounting Division, he reported that his
staff will record the accounting time spent on a department
and bill accordingly. He stated that the City service charge
has nothing to do with accounting charges and will be billed
separately. The City service charge is intended to allocate
the charge of various administrative services, based on the
department budget and number of personnel. There was a brief
discussion regarding the functions of the Budget Analyst,
Council expressing concern that this person will primarily do
work for Public Works. Mr. Zerbach reported on a task force
formed last year with the City Treasurer and other department
staff to obtain infolmation on their needs and problems;
however, the volcano eruption interrupted this project. He
commented that he would like to continue this project in 1981.
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DECEMBER 11, 1980
ADJOURNED METING -- BUDGET REVIEW
(Council member Crest absent after 4:45 P.M.) Discussion
followed on the budget format, Council members expressing
their desire for more options. It was the general consensus
of the Council to continue the discussion on the Payroll/Per-
sonnel Management System and the budget review of the Infor-
mation Systems Division some time next week. Mr. Zerbach and
Don Horan, City Treasurer, reviewed the budget for the Treas-
urer's Division. ,Council member Carmichael expressed concern
about the poor system used for accounts receivables used on
leases, PBIA, etc. Mr. Zerbach spoke about improvements that
can be made to the accounting system with the use of the
computer. He also stated that he would like to add aged
billing information on the investment reports. The next
service unit reviewed was Customer Service. Walt Feser,
Customer Service Manager, distributed an information sheet
regarding a proposal to change the parking meters to 25c fee.
The initial expenditure would be about $75,000. Mr. Feser
II/
stated that other proposed increases were for special parking
permit parking in the City lots and for contractors special
permits. Council member Hinman commented that if the new
parking meters are not purchased, there would be a gain of
$23,000 instead of a $13,000 loss. Discussion followed on the
parking meter increase; however, no action was taken. Mayor
Edmondson mentioned the proposed $10.00 dog license fee;
however, no action was taken. (Council member Carmichael
absent after 5:30 P.M.)
It was MOVED by Buchanan, seconded by Doty that this meeting
be adjourned at the hour of 5:40 P.M. to then meet on Tuesday,
December 16, 1980. Unanimously carried by voice vote. Beau-
, .
champ, Carmichael and Crest absent. -
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