Geneva Committee of the Whole met Monday, Jan. 30.
Here are the minutes as provided by Geneva:
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – JAN. 30, 2017 1
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
JANUARY 30, 2017
PRESENT: Mayor Burns, Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Simonian, Seno, Singer
STAFF: Admin. Dawkins, Dir. Babica, Chief Passarelli, Chief Antenore, Dir. Tymoszenko, Dir. DeGroot, Supt. Wright, Mgr. Kruse
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7pm. Marks motioned, Seno, seconded, to waive Robert Rules of Order V/V: 10-0 Motion carried.
2. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
a. FY2017-18 Budget Discussion
Admin. Dawkins explained what issues would be on the agenda for discussion regarding the upcoming budget. She was looking for consensus on a number of issues related to the General Fund, Electric Fund and Water/Sewer Funds. Finance Mgr. Kruse proceeded to provide explanation of each fund and how they are budgeted according to IGFOA’s fund accounting standards. Dawkins reminded the committee that proposals discussed at this meeting would only be considered if the funds were available.
Electric Fund Discussion: Supt. Wright brought a request to the committee to bring the Electric Fund reserves to 60 days down from the current 90 day standard, explaining the advantages including a better rate rating in the future. Consensus was to change to 60 days for FY2018.
Water/Sewer Fund Discussion: A need for an additional utility locater was discussed including the advantages to hiring this positions as opposed to contracting it out. Consensus was to include the position in budget drafts contingent on available funding.
General Fund Discussion: Kruse and Dawkins provided preliminary figures both with property tax revenues and without property tax revenues depending on what the state legislature enacts related to a possible rate freeze state-wide. Dawkins also discussed other tax revenue projections.
The discussion turned to the city’s health insurance policies. The committee agreed by consensus to renew at 0% increase with possible plan design changes to accommodate.
Discussion on employee salaries focused on plugging in a 2.25% increase for non-union positions. It was also agreed upon to hire a compensation study consultant since the last study was done in 2005 and implemented in 2007/08.
Dawkins then brought up potential position considerations including reinstating the Director of Administrative Services position, making the Historic Preservation Planner full-time, and hiring a full-time inspector for both building and plumbing. The final position consideration was for a part-time video operator to videotape the public meetings at City Hall. The committee found consensus to have these items included in the compensation study to help determine the need for next fiscal year.
Dawkins thanked everyone for their input and stated she would be in communication with each of them on further discussion before bringing the draft budget for formal consideration in April.
4. NEW BUSINESS
5. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Ald. Simonian, second by Ald. Marks, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25pm.
-submitted by Recording Secretary Fornari
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