Loading...
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. II/ 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 II/ 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. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY ( -P-S - . ": / DATE 1,3 j7 7 CO DATE /2/42,/ 00UNCILMAN ATTEST: / - • • P CITY S4 RK A c t i n g MAYOR