HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/1979 Study Session STUDY SESSION - BUDGET REVIEW 379
NOVEMBER 15, 1979
The City Council Met in session on this date at 1:00 P.M. in the Council
Chambers of City, Hall, Yakima, Washington; Acting Mayor Nadine Lee
presiding, Council members Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, Don Hinman
And Gordon Wonder 'present. Mayor Betty L. Edmondson and Councilman Jack
Sperling absent.
FINANCE & BUDGET ;
Art Zerbach, Director of Finance & Budget, stated that under his
supervision, are the Divisions of Finance, General Accounts, Treasurer,
and Custaner Service.
GENERAL ACCOUNTS DIVISION
Mr. Zerbach reviewed the proposed changes in the General Accounting
Division stating that there is an increase of $30,000 in the budget
for additional personnel. He is requesting an additional
accountant to handle the increased workload due to centralization
of accounting functions. He reported that in the past, other
departments were handling their own accounting. He stated that
General Accounts doesn't have any clerical staff, and in 1980, he
is proposing to share a Department Assistant II with the
Treasurer's Office. Mr. Zerbach repotted that other departments
are charged for specialized accounting systems and there is a City
service charge to recover indirect costs. The City service charge
is based on the number of employees per department. Mr. Zerbach
spoke about the accounting system for the Yakima Center and it was
the general consensus of the Council that the Center Should be
charged for that service.
TREASURER
Mr. Zerbach stated that the only change proposed for this division
is the sharing of a DA II with the General Accounts Division. He
stated that the position of Treasurer is still vacant. Councilman
Wonder inquired About the price of cash registers. Mr. Zerbach
stated that the outlay for cash registers has been in the budget
for three years in Cumulative Reserve. He stated they have delayed
purchasing the electronic cash registers in the. hopes of getting an
on-line canputer system. He stated the electronic data entry is
going down in price each year.
CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION
Mr. Zerbach stated that under Custaner Service Division is Animal
Control, Parking, and Utility Service. He stated that Parking and
Animal ContrOl are charged to the General Fund; Utility Service is
charged to Utilities in the Water/Sewer Fund. He stated the total
budget is up 9.2% for this Division. He reported that this year
the Customer:Service Manager's wages are being divided by pro-rata
share to the Animal Control, Parking, and Utility Divisions. He
stated that ;a DA II has been requested for Utility Accounts to
allow the Customer Service Manager the time to analyze connection
charges which would gain revenue for the City. He stated that the
Animal Control budget has a 13.9% increase, which includes ,about
$4600 of the :Customer Service Manager's salary. He stated:that the
Humane Shelter has been ,informed that the City wants to negotiate
our contract1this year. He also stated that staff is investigating
sane options' for aggressive promotion of dog licenses. He... stated
that he does not believe that Animal Control can be
self-supporting. Mr. Zerbach stated. that neither revenues nor
expenditureslfor the Larson Garage have been budgeted for 1980. He
stated that One change made is the deletion of one Parking Checker,
which he does not believe will have that negative an effect on
parking fine revenues. Councilman Hinman suggested that the bail
bond be raised. He inquired if the bail cost is increased when the
City has to mail out warnings. Walt Feser, Customer Service
Manager, repOrted that the first warning doesn't cost more; the
cost only goes up if the ticket isn't paid within a certain amount of
time, then it's $10.00. Acting Mayor Lee suggested a scale of
$2.00, then $4.00 then $10.00. Councilman Hinman suggested a scale
of $3.00, then $5.00, then $10.00. It was MOVED by Hinman, to
petition the court to raise the parking bail to $2.00, then $5.00
then $10.00. The motion failed for lack of a second. Councilman
Wonder suggested that before this is done, the City should take it
to the PBIAmernbers. City Manager Zais that a meeting is
planned with DARC and this can be discussed then.
380 NOVEMBER 15, 1979
LIBRARY
City Manager Zais reported that the City has a contract with the
Regional Library system. He stated that the Library is impacted by
the 6% lid in setting their levy. Councilman Wonder stated that
the City could revise the amount of money given to the Library.
Councilman Hinman stated he is not in favor of reducing the amount
given to the Library, but if Council considers the reduction,
Council should listen to the Lihrary first. Gary Kissling, Library
Board Member, spoke about the contract and stated that the $350,000
is already a reduced amount. He reported that it is 1.7% less than
what the County is supplying. Following discussion, it was DINED
by Wonder, seconded by Beauchamp to not increase the Library
budget, but keep it the sane as 1979: carried, Beauchamp,
Buchanan, Le p and Wonder voting aye by voice vote. Hinman voting
nay. Edmondson and Sperling absent.
CLEAN AIR
Mr. Zerbach stated that the rate is 10 per capita assessment in
property tax.
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CAPITOL THEATRE
Mr. Zerbach stated we are budgeting to pay for insurance and
maintenance costs.
HEALTH DISTRICT
Mr. Zerbach stated that the Health District has previously reviewed
their budget with the Council.
PARKS & RECREATION
Dick Hilligus, Director of Parks & Recreation, reported that 52% of his
budget will be paid by General Fund. He reported that the Aquatics
Program has a 26% increase of new programs. He reported the School
District is going to contract with the City for $28,000 worth of
service. He stated that Parks Maintenance is down 3% due to decreasing
the mowing schedule. He stated he is eliminating all but two seasonal
workert who are contracted with Slcw -Pitch Association. He stated that
the position of Park Caretaker has also been eliminated. He reported
that the City Manager has recammended replacing the temporary workers
with FRS funds. He reported the golf course will be 100% payback with
the increase of rates. The rates at the pools will be raised to make
it 70% self-sustaining. He spoke about his requested capital outlay for
two cash registers and also the need for heat renovation at Lions Pool.
He reported there is a 57% decrease in the Senior Center budget due to
the loss of a Senior Center Clerk and additional revenue. He stated
that the $3.00 voluntary membership will be retained. He reported the
Cemetery has a 100% payback program. He reported on the increased fee
structure and stated that the position of Cemetery Supervisor will be
deleted follcwing the retirement of the present Supervisor. He stated
there is a total of 7.5 positions deleted from his budget and an
addition of 5 positions for 100% self-sustaining programs. Mr. Hilligus
stated that the Park Commission has reviewed this fee and charge
schedule, but has not approved it nor made a final recommendation.
Councilman Beauchamp suggested a wording change on page 172 of the
budget referring to "older/poorer section of town" should possibly read
"target area".
City Manager Zais suggested that the budget hearing set for the 27th of
November be held at the Yakima Center and stated that Roam C has been
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reserved. It was the general consensus of the Council that the budget
hearing be held at the Yakima Center. -
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
was adjourned at the hour of 4:55 P.M.
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