[0:00] Okay, after we stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance, please

[0:06] allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[0:11] for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:17] justice for all. >> Thank you.

[0:20] Um, number one, this evening our um our video uh AV videographer is out ill and

[0:28] so we will be um recording the meeting. the controller, the uh clerk will be

[0:36] recording the meeting on her laptop and we will be posting that entire

[0:40] transcript, the entire um sound record of this meeting on the Facebook page and

[0:48] making it available to the public so that we are recording this meeting so

[0:51] that it can be reviewed at a later time. But unfortunately due to illness um it

[0:56] will not be uh there will be no video recording of this meeting. So, um, also

[1:03] let's see, uh, welcome to the second of the three working sessions of the Muny

[1:09] City Council finance committee. These working sessions are being held strictly

[1:12] for the purpose of gathering and processing a lot of detailed information

[1:16] by asking questions of the department heads regarding their proposed 2026

[1:20] budgets. No decisions will be made regarding possible amendments to the

[1:24] budget ordinance and no action will be uh will take place. Therefore, no public

[1:28] comment will be taken at this evening's meeting. However, the public is welcomed

[1:33] and encouraged to provide in uh in input at any of the five in-person

[1:38] opportunities before adoption takes place. There is the public hearing on

[1:42] September the 8th before our regular city council meeting. There are several

[1:46] times during the regular city council meeting on the 8th. There are also um

[1:50] the final finance committee meeting on Tuesday, September the 23rd. And then

[1:56] there will be an opportunity before adoption to uh make public comment at

[2:00] our October 6th meeting. Uh the public is also of course welcome to contact any

[2:05] and all of us uh by email as any and often times as you'd like before now and

[2:10] then. Um we do welcome your input. Next so many things. Um, we have a

[2:17] situation where one of the department heads was not able to make the meeting

[2:21] on the 9th. And so I would like to entertain a motion to suspend the rules

[2:26] and add the clerk's uh report as well as uh city council report and channel 60 to

[2:33] this evening's agenda so we can discuss those budgets.

[2:36] » So move second. >> Second.

[2:37] » All right. We have a motion by council person Selvi and a second by council

[2:43] person Golian. Thank you, gentlemen. I'm not here to take that one. Um, do we

[2:47] need to do a roll call on the suspension of the rules?

[2:52] » I would assume Selby. >> Yes.

[2:55] » Golian, >> yes.

[2:56] » Garrett, >> yes.

[2:57] » Macintosh, >> yes.

[2:59] » Basham, >> yes.

[3:00] » Dishman, >> not here. Green,

[3:04] » here. >> Yes.

[3:05] » Mason, >> yes.

[3:06] » And Powell, >> thank you. And I think I skipped um roll

[3:10] call, so we'll go back to that and do that. got so good lasting I forgot to

[3:14] say who's here. So >> Macintosh

[3:17] » present >> Basham

[3:19] » here. >> Green

[3:20] » here. >> Dishman not here. Garrett

[3:24] » here. >> Selvi

[3:26] » here. >> Goian

[3:28] » here. >> Mason

[3:30] » here. >> Powell

[3:31] » here. >> Eight present.

[3:33] » Okay. So having suspended the rules and added the clerk's budget to this

[3:38] evening's meeting, we will start with the clerk.

[3:44] Thank you very much, Belinda. That is on page two of your 2025 and 2026 budgets.

[3:53] [Applause] Hold on. Let us all get situated with

[4:02] all of our papers and then we will start.

[4:06] Okay. Thank you for uh suspending the rules so

[4:12] I could speak this evening. I have a fire engagement that conflict for next

[4:17] Tuesday

[4:20] [Applause] and um I was when I was reviewing what

[4:27] was advertised. >> Let's make sure that microphone is on so

[4:31] that we can get >> I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get

[4:34] organized. >> You're fine. We're going to we're going

[4:36] to wait for just a moment. We have some technical difficulties that we can

[4:39] » Good. [Music]

[4:42] » Thank you. >> What what we're going to hold on for a

[4:46] moment before you start that. Um the clerk's office starts on page two

[4:51] » of both the 25 and 26 budgets. >> All right.

[4:56] Are all committee members ready or >> it's a lot of stuff. So So don't feel

[5:02] » Gotcha. >> Okay. I'd rather everybody be situated

[5:05] and ready to try and catch up. Okay. >> All right.

[5:10] » Um, good evening and thank you for amending the rules so I could speak this

[5:13] evening kind of commitment next Tuesday. I was looking at the advertised

[5:21] budget and I noticed that there were some changes from what I actually

[5:25] originally submitted. I'm sure there's a typo there, but uh I did provide

[5:30] everyone a copy of what I had drafted. Does everyone have

[5:36] that? >> Yeah.

[5:38] » Okay. Um I'll point out some of the some of the items that were reduced. Now,

[5:43] overall, my budget is lower than last year's because I

[5:48] » I do need to let you know that we cannot raise we cannot increase any line item.

[5:52] And so that the the totals that we discussed tonight are going to be on

[5:55] what was advertised in the newspaper. >> I'm aware.

[5:58] » Okay. I just wanted to make sure that you that we did not take

[6:01] » Oh, I I'm aware. I've known that for years. Um the uh but there are but my

[6:07] overall budget is lower than last year's because I have two employees that are

[6:12] not using the insurance currently. So the the difference is over 42,000

[6:21] uh from last year to this year. But there are some some things that again

[6:26] that I had uh added to my budget. One of the things

[6:31] I reduced was overtime. I reduced that by 15

[6:37] um00 and again the insurance is down by 40 actually 42,863

[6:45] 12 from last year and I reduced the unemployment by a,000 from

[6:51] » yes from 2000 um see here postage I increased partially because we do uh in

[6:59] the clerk's office aside from supporting the council we support the court we are

[7:04] now doing certified mail for the building commissioner for the trash um

[7:10] notice. You can't collect on debt if you don't have a judgment, which means it

[7:18] has to go through court. Certified mail has gone up to almost $10 an envelope.

[7:23] So, I increased that by a thousand. I am trying to work on um finding

[7:29] some support to have reimbursement and there is in the software the option to

[7:35] get reimbursed for certified mail but not at your city court only for circuit.

[7:42] So there's there's some legislation that needs that will actually help with the

[7:45] line item if we that would completely wipe that out if we actually can do

[7:50] something about that. But right now I had to increase it by a thousand

[7:55] So those are the actual changes I've made and then um

[8:05] but as you said you can't raise >> no I understand that

[8:10] » I have >> the soonest that we could do anything

[8:12] along those lines is an additional appropriation after January 1st. Well, I

[8:16] have an option. What we could do because of the perpetuation fund, which I have a

[8:21] surplus, I could zero out an item that's being paid for out of general fund and

[8:27] we could use that money to offset the >> again, we cannot increase any line items

[8:33] until January. So that is an option that we could do in January but but

[8:38] unfortunately state budgetary you know statute regulations

[8:43] 18 more that >> right won't allow

[8:45] » right so but I'm presenting an option here so we have line items that I can

[8:51] actually use for perpetuation and we could zero those line items and use that

[8:55] to offset what I had actually submitted >> is that an option that you're proposing

[9:00] for January >> well either but I mean that that That is

[9:04] what I would like to propose. >> Unfortunately, no. We cannot raise any

[9:07] line items. So, I I'm sorry, Madam Chair. Is that is that a line item? We

[9:13] can't raise any line item. >> We cannot

[9:18] We cannot increase any line items that have been advertised already.

[9:21] » Yes. >> It's it's not even a a local law. It's a

[9:26] state law. Um if they I think I can't remember what year it was but several

[9:31] years ago the previous council tried to increase the line item to move some

[9:35] rainy day fund into animal shelter for increased food and the entire budget

[9:39] gets gets pushed out. That's not an option because if your budget gets

[9:42] rejected it's not just that you fall back to these line items. It's also that

[9:47] any increases in tax dollars is forfeited. You go back to exactly what

[9:51] you have and so we won't let that happen.

[9:54] » Right. >> Okay. Good. So that's that's

[9:56] » I just wanted a clarification. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Um and so I

[10:00] apologize again, but that's that's not possible.

[10:05] » So if I wanted to take the equipment rental and repair maintenance, that's

[10:08] 9,000 and use perpetuation money to fund that. I couldn't use that 9,000 to cover

[10:16] the other. >> We cannot increase any line items.

[10:19] » That's fine. No, I'm just go ahead. If you want to go ahead and say, "I will

[10:24] reduce this." But honestly, I would not do that at this time. I would not

[10:28] voluntarily give up money that you plan on using for something else at this

[10:31] time. I would wait until January. >> Oh, that's fine. I'm just presenting the

[10:35] information that I have. >> I appreciate that. And I don't know why

[10:38] your budget wasn't submitted as presented as an elected official. That's

[10:43] not council or the finance committee's situation. We did not change this budget

[10:48] at all. That would be a conversation to have with the administration.

[10:52] » Oh, I'm sure it's a typo >> or or not.

[10:56] » Um, I did have one question. As of June 30th, you'd only spent 3% of training,

[11:01] travel, and fees. Is that something that you do reg uh toward the end of the year

[11:07] or is that just something that as of right now you just haven't used it or

[11:10] » and again these are June June 30th, correct?

[11:13] » No, as of right now, I did send some of my staff to training. Okay. Um,

[11:17] actually, and I would like to point out some things about my staff, which is why

[11:21] I actually had suggested, and I know you're not funding it, a 5% raise for

[11:26] them because we are they are doing excellent work. They are.

[11:30] » I have court staff that are being asked to train out of county. Um, Lacy's taken

[11:36] on some other responsibilities. So, a lot of times when Lacy um would go on

[11:42] her lunch breaks or if she wasn't busy doing council items, she would work the

[11:47] front. She doesn't have that opportunity anymore because she's busier now.

[11:51] » So, that takes a person off of the floor to help with answering questions at the

[11:58] window or taking phone calls. But I do have staff that are, like I said, asked

[12:03] to train in other courts. So, uh, my staff are doing excellent right now.

[12:09] Very proud, very proud of them. And they do deal with more of the general public

[12:15] than any other office here in the building. Um, and and often it's not

[12:19] very pleasant. I'll be honest. They get, you know, people come in to pay fines

[12:23] that they're not happy about. So, they get a lot of hostility. And I, um, very

[12:28] proud of how they handle the situations. I like I like how things are going. Uh,

[12:33] the most recent hire has been a good fit. We're fully staffed right now. So,

[12:38] it's it's been a great it's been a great year. The training um I have not been

[12:45] able to attend as many trainings this year because of some

[12:49] um family issues,

[12:53] but um hopefully

[12:57] next year we'll be able to do that more. What I would like to do if I cannot

[13:00] personally attend some of the trainings, I'd like to send word my staff. I sent

[13:04] some to court training this year and they had a wonderful time. Brought back

[13:08] a lot of good information which we shared with the court. Okay. So, uh it's

[13:12] a good working environment and um I'd love to do more of that. But yes, the we

[13:17] didn't spend very much of that this year.

[13:18] » I wanted to touch on something you said. You said you're fully staffed right now.

[13:22] » Do you intend to stay that way through the end of the year so that this hiring

[13:25] freeze that happens in January will not affect your staff?

[13:28] » I hope not. >> Okay.

[13:30] » I mean, I can't predict the future, >> of course. Um, everyone seems to be I

[13:34] mean we we've done a a good job training the new hires. She's an excellent fit.

[13:39] Uh I hopefully hopefully we don't have those problems. I had I've had some

[13:45] years where we just had some changes in staffing.

[13:50] » Okay. Um anyone up here have questions for the clerk? Right ahead.

[13:58] » Let's start let's start with you council person Salvi. Thank you. are welcome.

[14:02] » Uh your electricity 2375 compared to do you occupy most of that

[14:10] area right? >> Uh we have

[14:13] » because the judges when I compare I think it was 500

[14:17] electricity. >> I I don't know the actual square

[14:20] footage. I I don't know what her charges are compared to ours. We I mean we have

[14:25] the uh the common area. There are four people in it. Lacy has an office. I have

[14:31] an office and Ruby has an office and then we had the file room which as a

[14:36] slashfile room slash break room. >> Okay.

[14:38] » Um when I when we first when I first got my first term we scanned uh every court

[14:45] document every file. There are some things that I legally have to keep the

[14:49] ordinance the original ordinances and there are certain documents that I can't

[14:53] scan and throw out. Then there's retention rules of course, but anything

[14:58] we could scan, we square footage wise, I don't I don't really know.

[15:02] » And I know the controller mentioned that eventually everybody will be square foot

[15:06] away, you know, regarding like even fairly even now. Hopefully in the

[15:10] future, >> honestly, I could probably use some more

[15:13] room for storage with the the other uh boards that Lacy's supporting. We're

[15:18] we're going to probably need more file space

[15:22] eventually. Not this year. I'm sure that's something you'll probably have to

[15:25] bring up with. >> That's going to be a future issue,

[15:28] » not us. >> Right.

[15:30] » Okay. >> Okay. That's it. Councilman Garrett,

[15:34] » your postage um when you took over the postage for the building commissioner's

[15:40] office, is that the the trash, the grass, the tall grass, is that

[15:45] everything or is it just one? >> Like, do you send out certified mail for

[15:51] » We're not doing all of that right now. We're just starting. We're just we're

[15:54] just transitioning in. Um and I think we're we've worked we're trying to work

[16:00] out where we were trying to work out where they would pay for the postage,

[16:06] but um ideally it it would be better if all of it just came through my office

[16:12] and we got reimbursed. >> The software actually allows for that.

[16:16] You can actually charge for that on a case if you file a case, but it's only

[16:21] if your circuit, it's not if you're city. The same thing happened with

[16:24] overpayment. So, uh, we had circuit courts could take up to $3 in overp

[16:31] payment. So, if somebody pays a ticket and they're 50 cents, 25 cents, uh, a

[16:36] dollar, or up to three, we would have to refund that money. Well, the stamp and

[16:40] the envelope and the check cost more than a 50 cent refund, which happens. It

[16:45] would happen a lot to have a 50. So, I was able to talk to some legislators and

[16:52] they changed that to where the city court can can keep that instead of

[16:56] sending out those checks out. I'd like to do the same thing with the certified

[16:59] mail. >> Yes.

[17:02] » All right. Yeah. I just wanted to know if you had taken on all of it.

[17:06] » Not completely. And we all know when you you tag those properties and you lean

[17:10] that it's uh it's a kind of a shot in the dark if we get paid or not from

[17:16] that. So >> well but you can't collect so with the

[17:21] judgments. So you have someone that goes to court

[17:25] for grass, >> right?

[17:29] » They can't collect overdue fines and fees until there's a court hearing and a

[17:34] judgment on the case. And then you have a time frame after that that you can

[17:37] actually send it to collection. What we're trying to do is set it up to where

[17:41] we can actually set it uh collect it like we did with parking.

[17:45] » Oh, okay. Okay. >> Um right now there wasn't anything. So

[17:49] the the judges worked that out with the building commissioner. Our office is pro

[17:53] providing that support so we can actually collect on those people that

[17:56] never paid their fines or fees. >> Oh, okay. Good. Good.

[17:59] » But there is a statute of limitations on those things too. So, like after a

[18:03] certain period of time, you can't collect, but that's what we're working

[18:07] on. Yeah. >> Well, did you have a followup? I'm

[18:12] sorry. And then your uh Oh, never mind. Wait, hold on.

[18:20] » I just hit someone else. I'm sorry. >> You're fine. Well, I do have

[18:24] » Okay, I'll talk while you find it. >> Got it. And then um I've been noticed

[18:30] that you know just because of SB1 and things are tight uh telephone 4,275

[18:36] and just educate me what does that mean? >> I'm not

[18:41] » we the phone bills is >> oh we don't have I don't have a cell

[18:45] phone. We don't have a personal cell phone. It's all through the office.

[18:49] » Okay. So these are all for landlines. >> Okay. Thank you.

[18:54] » Okay. And then Councilman Bash. >> Thank you. um you know, we're all uh

[18:59] being asked to do more with less and I I understand the frustration and I want to

[19:05] commend you because um when I look at your budget performance report

[19:10] throughout every line item, we're about 60% of the year and you fall well within

[19:15] that 60 50 70%. However, when we're looking for ways to

[19:23] come up with other income, I noticed that um item is it uh printing and

[19:31] advertising and also um other services and charges are just at 9%. Meaning that

[19:39] you're you've only spent 9% of all those dollars. And I wonder if you had a

[19:45] chance to look at those lines to see if maybe you could move some things around

[19:53] where they are needed more in >> Are you looking at the income statement

[19:58] or what what are you looking at? >> I'm looking at the budget performance

[20:02] report from this last year's budget. And when you look at last year's budget to

[20:08] help you decide what you're going to ask for this year, it's really helpful for

[20:14] me to look at this report to see what percentages of each line have been spent

[20:21] at this point in time. I know that's kind of

[20:24] » you say other services and charges. >> Yeah. and you know that there's a

[20:27] there's a few hundred dollars, maybe even $1,000, and you can go through

[20:31] those lines um for your long um performance report. And again, because

[20:37] it's early tonight, I didn't have a chance to really study it, but you know.

[20:43] » Okay. No, I I have it here. Um a lot of times towards the end of the year now,

[20:49] what was the date on what was the final date?

[20:51] » That was my next question. For clarification, what what budget forms

[20:54] are you using? Is that June 30th? >> Um, it's uh No, it's 9425.

[21:00] » All right. You got the update today. >> Okay.

[21:04] » Okay. Um, sometimes we use that to cover the

[21:08] equipment, rental, repair, and maintenance. And sometimes we uh will

[21:12] use that other services or charges to cover if we are over in another area.

[21:17] » Sure. It's kind of like a >> I know. I just noticed those little

[21:20] things. >> I just perused it because I didn't look

[21:23] good on you tonight. perfectly fine. It's it's a buffer for some of the other

[21:26] expenses that come up. It It could end up being used in postage depending on

[21:31] what we end up at the end of the year. >> Well, you do a great job and your people

[21:35] are are terrific. >> I have great staff. I'm very proud of

[21:39] them. >> All right. Well, I appreciate you coming

[21:42] in and and making the giving us an opportunity to review your budget. And

[21:48] as far as the other options that you were discussing, those will be things we

[21:50] need to discuss in January. >> That's perfectly fine. I just wanted to

[21:54] present my information and um thank you for suspending and letting me speak this

[21:58] evening. >> Absolutely.

[22:00] » I have a question. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. One moment.

[22:03] » One question for me on your uh deputy clerks that you have. Are they salary or

[22:08] are they hourly and how many do you have?

[22:10] » They're salary. I have the deputy chief. I have Lacy, which is a council

[22:16] secretary. And I have four that are um just considered chief deputies.

[22:22] » Deputy clerks. >> Deputy. Yeah. I mean,

[22:25] » so they are all salary. >> Yes. And longevity. We have Oh gosh, I

[22:32] can't think. Uh

[22:36] four with long you >> the deputy clerks are hourly and then

[22:41] the chief deputy I'm sorry salary, >> right? And then yeah, there's four.

[22:47] Okay. >> Okay. Clarifies. Thank you.

[22:52] » So to follow up on that, the chief deputy clerk increased significantly and

[22:56] we're not talking about any kind of reductions there, but I just want to

[22:59] clarify that that would be the 1% that was adopted into the budget last October

[23:04] and then the 4% that was added at a later time for this year to do the 5%

[23:08] this year and then another 4% that you were instructed to add. No. Um,

[23:16] let me convoluted, but >> let me find my paper.

[23:20] » It was hard to follow. >> Well,

[23:22] » well, what what I was trying to come up with the budget,

[23:26] we were told um >> to do 4%. I did

[23:31] » hoping that I could help my staff out because they are doing extra work.

[23:35] » And um so I was looking at the salary ordinance and I was looking at the

[23:39] adopted budget and the numbers didn't match.

[23:41] » No, they don't. They don't. Um, so I honestly that's if you look at even like

[23:47] my FICA, Medicare and Perf based on the numbers I use, not what was advertised,

[23:52] the numbers are off. They're a little higher because I was I was adding

[23:56] longevity and you have to factor in whether they're

[24:00] it it was complicated. >> We're not questioning any of that. We

[24:04] know that that it's not a a cut and dry formula. There are so many variables as

[24:08] we all learned last year that could could change so many things. You can't

[24:12] use a a cut formula. >> But I mean as far as like the benefits

[24:16] of perf the Medicare and those things I kind of leave that whatever numbers um

[24:21] payroll they're the experts in that I give they

[24:24] give me the percentage and I try to add that in to be as close as possible. But

[24:29] the salary ordinance and what was in the there were just some slight differences.

[24:34] So I went with the salary ordinance because

[24:39] I >> un unfortunately and we established that

[24:42] last year the salary ordinances would not match what was adopted into the

[24:46] budget what we've appropriated into line items. Salary ordinance is just a

[24:49] maximum of what can be paid but not what is appropriated into line items. So

[24:54] » we should be going by what council appropriated into line items.

[24:58] » Okay. Um, well, I appreciate the clarification,

[25:03] » but that's the way it should be legally, >> right? So,

[25:07] okay. No, I appreciate the clarification because like I again, I was just trying

[25:12] to figure out which formula to use >> to come up with and I just I just chose

[25:17] Chief Deputy Click. I'm sorry if I cut you off.

[25:19] » Oh, that's fine. I just chose that one because it almost fits perfectly into

[25:24] last October, council adopted a budget that had 1% which is what the

[25:27] administration told council they would do a max of at that time when we were

[25:32] going through the budget. >> Um, and then after the fact they gave 4%

[25:37] to ask me, I'm guessing. I don't know how that all worked, but everybody got a

[25:42] 5% raise, I guess, um, last year. And so that would have been the 1% plus 4% and

[25:50] then this year I'm understanding they were you're instructed to add 4% salary

[25:55] increase for next year. And that's what I just was clarifying that that's kind

[25:59] of the formula you used in calculating some of these increases

[26:05] because they're much larger than just a normal.

[26:08] » Right. Well, I'll be honest because the because of the differences,

[26:13] » what I did was I had all of my staff pull up their payroll and I actually

[26:18] looked at what it actually said they got on the payroll

[26:23] um because I couldn't re I apologize I couldn't figure out

[26:27] » No, it's okay. using the salary ordinances, which are

[26:32] the max you can be paid. Almost every line item that's in the budget that that

[26:37] we we appropriated money for will run out of money at some point in time

[26:41] without an additional appropriation because they're paying above what we

[26:44] appropriated into those line items. >> Right.

[26:49] » But um no, I just wondered if that's the calculations you used. Um we can talk

[26:54] about the other things in January. I honestly um

[26:59] what I I did it several different ways. I I

[27:03] did it I did the numbers three different times and but ultimately council has

[27:11] control of the budget. So whatever you guys decide, I'm 100% supporting

[27:17] whatever your decision is. I I would like my staff to get paid better and if

[27:21] I can find a way to do that uh within the the rules

[27:28] » I would like to do that for them >> again and and then we'll move on but

[27:32] that you know we cannot increase anything this year. So

[27:34] » I know. >> All right. Thank you very much for your

[27:37] time. >> Thank you.

[27:38] » All right. Next we will move on if everyone's ready to the mayor and his

[27:42] budget starts on page three of both 2025 and 2026.

[27:48] Mayor Ryower, we'll welcome you to the front. I will ask you to make sure

[27:52] you're speaking into the microphone. >> Let's make sure it's still

[27:56] » um is not here this evening due to illness and so we are recording this

[28:00] meeting on a laptop and that will be posted to the Facebook page at a later

[28:05] time. And let's make sure one last thing is

[28:08] that we are not talking any more than we have to because we don't want to

[28:12] interrupt the recording. >> We don't want to conflict. So,

[28:17] » all right. >> Good evening.

[28:19] » Good evening, >> Mayor Dan Rydenower.

[28:23] Um, I think the adjustments on my budget um none of the items uh

[28:31] within the budget other than uh salary had the adjustments. We just have a 4%

[28:37] uh increase as all employees are getting. Um, and then the PEF was

[28:42] considerably lower uh because we no longer have uh Deputy Mayor ID.

[28:50] » Okay. Your part I'll go ahead and go ahead.

[28:56] » I was just going to ask before we really get started is what what formula did you

[29:00] use to for the wages and raises? >> Um 4% over this

[29:05] » but just like as as chairman Powell was asking.

[29:08] » Yeah. 4%. Well, but my sentence was what? 4% over the salary ordinance.

[29:13] » The salary ordinance. >> Yes. Because the executive does have the

[29:16] authority during the year to add uh income or subtract uh income and we did

[29:23] that when we received actually when the when the police and fire received their

[29:28] increase, we did a new salary ordinance for them. And then a month later, we

[29:32] brought in the one that's for the employees which was unanimously approved

[29:35] by this council. So, we use the we use the salary ordinance. If the budgets are

[29:41] necessary, then we will before the end of the year get an updated

[29:45] appropriations if if it's necessary. >> Before the end of the year,

[29:50] » if you'll be moving money into those line items to cover those salaries, that

[29:54] will be necessary. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. If if if

[29:57] that looks like it will be the case, we will definitely do that.

[29:59] » All right. Um, so let's see.

[30:06] Your part-time went up. Is that you have >> I believe that's 4%.

[30:12] » Yeah, >> 4% on part-time. Is that a designated

[30:15] part-time employee or is that >> It is a designated part-time employee.

[30:19] » Okay. >> We did not I'm not increasing that

[30:21] person's actual receiving amount. Um, but it went up 4%.

[30:27] » So that the hourly wage went up 4%. No, the hourly wage will remain the same,

[30:32] but that >> they will just be working more to

[30:35] generate the >> that will allow that. Yes,

[30:38] » it's not a lot of time, >> just a few hours actually.

[30:42] » And then looking at the and I'm looking at the June 6th report. Your overtime

[30:49] overtime, you've only spent 19% of your overtime budget as of the middle of the

[30:54] year. June the third. uh is that something that you're not using a lot of

[31:00] and could potentially be surrendered to? >> We have been uh especially with

[31:04] everything that's going on with Senate Bill One, we're trying to be as careful

[31:06] as we can and that is an area that is easily controlled by a department and so

[31:12] I have been pretty strict. I don't know what the 94 number is. I I don't receive

[31:16] that from uh the controller as you guys do before your meetings. But uh

[31:21] » okay, >> we're as careful as we can because we

[31:23] know I don't want to have to appropriate u if we can if we can and and save

[31:29] money. Therefore, uh we try and be careful on that item.

[31:33] » And and 6% of gas and oil at June 30th, is that is gas and oil considered that

[31:40] automotive gas and oil? Because that seems like a very small percentage of

[31:46] that line item for June. I believe that's um I'd have to I

[31:53] » 31 now. >> Is it?

[31:55] » Okay. >> Okay.

[31:56] » All right. All right. >> Again,

[31:58] thank you. Um >> 62. I'm sorry,

[32:01] » mayor. I'm I'm glad you're here. Could you just recap real quick as

[32:08] the leader of the city since this is being recorded, how will

[32:13] SB1 levy caps affect the long-term staffing needs?

[32:18] » Oh, I think it it has a negative impact. Um, and um I um have had conversations

[32:25] with many mayors and many county officials. It has a negative impact and

[32:28] the and the schools as well has a negative impact. We've got we've got to

[32:34] we'll have to come up with ways in the future. We're covered this year and next

[32:38] year uh because of edit funds but uh in 28 it will be u if if we

[32:45] haven't to come up with new methods and new techniques to figure out how to

[32:49] operate with fewer people um we will have to do some drastic things

[32:55] in 28 >> or or maybe shared staff or something

[32:59] between the department. down. >> There could be some of that. Uh it gets

[33:04] complic complicated, but um that's certainly something we we off we do now

[33:09] in a lot of ways. Um my office pays for a lot of the office supplies uh that are

[33:16] kind of third floor, >> but

[33:19] » that's okay. That's how it's been budgeted and we're happy to keep it that

[33:22] way. >> Yeah, it looks like your budget is

[33:25] maintaining the operation. I would say >> due to SB1. So, thank you for that.

[33:31] » We're we're trying. >> I have a question for you.

[33:34] » Sure. Council person Green. >> Um on the promotion of businesses, um

[33:40] you got a line item of $5,200. Could you explain to us how this exactly works and

[33:47] what that money is used for? >> Sure. Sure. That could be um a marketing

[33:52] piece that markets the city uh to organizations that are looking to

[33:56] expand. uh that could be me going and meeting with an organization. Uh uh so

[34:04] it's it's promoting the city but a lot of it is a lot of it is advertising

[34:09] andor pieces that we use to share with organizations that are looking to

[34:14] looking at cities okay as possible locations as possible places to invest

[34:20] their funds. That's that's what I always viewed that

[34:24] as the the purpose of that particular line

[34:28] item. >> Thank you.

[34:31] » Um, anyone? Okay. So, you brought up the

[34:35] edit funds and I know at your press conference the other day you said that

[34:39] you were going to be subsidizing the general fund budget with $900,000

[34:44] of edit. Correct? >> That's the plan. Yeah.

[34:47] » Okay. Well, we appreciate that. Um I hold on one second.

[34:54] The um edit dollars actually went up or will go up about

[35:02] $1.9 million. That's what I'm seeing from estimate uh miscellaneous revenue.

[35:09] So, even with the 900,000 that you're going to be subsidizing

[35:16] um the the general fund, you'll still have a million more this next year than

[35:22] this. Correct. >> That would be correct.

[35:24] » All right. >> Yep. There are there are um there are

[35:29] liabilities. Uh for example, the fire station uh that is all paid out of edit.

[35:35] Um the fire the next fire station is also planned to be paid out of edit. Um

[35:42] so and the income taxes are what the state assets to us based on the incomes.

[35:47] We have had rising incomes in the city of Muny. We have grown in population in

[35:51] the city of Muny. All of that makes a difference in those edit funds and

[35:56] that's that's how come that is going up is we have higher incomes more people in

[36:01] the city and more income within the city. President Mason,

[36:05] » with the with the increase of the million dollar surplus, does that mean

[36:09] that the $500,000 for the community center is still in play?

[36:14] » That is in play. >> That's wonderful to hear.

[36:17] » That is in play. >> Absolutely.

[36:20] » Okay. All right.

[36:23] Council, >> mayor, could you just um the part-time

[36:27] position? What What kind of position is that? mostly answering the phone but

[36:31] also does a lot of the expenses uh for the city and then does miscellaneous

[36:36] activities for the city engineer does miscellaneous activities uh for me. Um,

[36:42] so >> administrative type.

[36:44] » Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Anyone else have questions for

[36:50] Mayor Ridenower? >> And and I do want to thank you for going

[36:54] and advocating to squash Senate Bill One. Uh, I mean, it was a bipartisan.

[37:00] » So, I appreciate you and I have continue to do that.

[37:05] » Thank you. >> Thank you for that. All right. Thank you

[37:07] for your time this evening. >> Thank you.

[37:09] » Okay. We will move on to board of works which I believe Craig right we're going

[37:14] to pull you up here and keep you for a little bit of time.

[37:19] The board of works is on page five of both your 20

[37:24] 26 >> 20 years 2026 and 2025 budget.

[37:30] » It's kind of going in. Yes, >> it's muting itself after so long.

[37:34] » So board of works page five. All right. Um, let me get where I

[37:44] Okay.

[37:47] » All right. First thing we notice is that you've moved all of the health insurance

[37:51] expenses for the general fund into >> the board of works

[37:55] » into the board of works. And I I think that will will be beneficial. It's

[38:00] something we tried to do before. Um C

[38:04] » could you go into detail about that and tell us more about the reasoning behind

[38:09] that? >> Well, we're just uh trying to

[38:12] consolidate every it's easier to control like when you get uh for the claims and

[38:16] stuff. You got to start separating it into departments instead of just taking

[38:21] it out of the line. So simplifies. >> Yep. Good. But we will still see and we

[38:26] we did see health insurance line items in other funds that are not under that

[38:31] for departments that don't fall under the general fund. Correct. Okay.

[38:34] » I just wanted to explain that's why you saw that's why you would see those

[38:38] coming up. >> Um what comprises other insurance for

[38:44] works? These are just mostly some procedural questions.

[38:48] » Yeah. the other other insurance you'll have like you got uh audits at the the

[38:52] insurance companies do that uh we'll take it out of that they do uh uh

[38:59] workers comp audits and uh the uh other insuranceances or um general liabilities

[39:08] etc. >> Okay. And then kind of following on what

[39:12] council person Salvi asked of um uh the clerks, there's a telephone. Is

[39:18] this just when we see telephone in these different departments, is this just a a

[39:24] main telephone bill that is sparsed out based on square footage.

[39:28] » It was se it was Yeah. was done that years ago

[39:31] » cuz I I just just was curious and so that

[39:34] » is it square footage or number of >> items instruments or is it is I know

[39:41] square footage as an is an issue with insurance

[39:44] » I don't think so because council has I mean there are departments that don't

[39:48] have board of works where would your phone be

[39:52] so >> okay

[39:54] » event well eventually all the utilities that not including the sanitary district

[40:00] will be folded into the board of works. So that

[40:04] » just like for budgeting purposes, but since sanitary district pays for their

[40:08] own, we have to parse out what their part of the utilities and such and

[40:17] » which >> you also have like the animal shelter

[40:21] that's kind of >> All right. Yes, please. Does that

[40:26] include internet too in that in the telephone or am I

[40:31] » okay technology aside >> okay and then um the line item repair to

[40:37] buildings what what does that cover >> repairs to city hall any major repairs

[40:43] » right elevators any repairs >> that would come out of that

[40:47] » become necessary >> I think the work in the basement uh

[40:52] would come out of that >> for the police department um council

[40:56] I have a question concerning that uh very line item.

[41:00] » Sure. >> The repairs to the building. Uh there

[41:02] are state and federal grants that are available for repairs and infrastructure

[41:07] and improvements. Have you uh tried to apply for any of those? And if so, are

[41:15] there any other funding mechanisms available that you're aware of uh to

[41:20] help offset that rather large cost? Yeah, I have I haven't applied for him.

[41:26] How ever. Uh we do have an individual that does look into grants that does a

[41:32] great job that uh be something moving forward.

[41:35] » Okay. Haven't found anything yet. >> No.

[41:38] » Okay. Do I have another question? >> Absolutely. Council Green,

[41:42] » a question on the electric bill. Uh I'm assuming that that includes it's all

[41:49] inclusive of all the different buildings that are owned by the city and their

[41:54] electric will also does that include street lights,

[41:59] city lights, signals and all. >> Yeah, there's one particular

[42:04] electric bill that is for traffic signals. It's $42,000 a month. So that's

[42:08] almost $500,000 right there. >> And that's on average is tra traffic

[42:12] signals and street lights. Does that come out of board of works or does that

[42:16] come out of streets because I know they have looked at that on T. Okay. All

[42:19] right. >> So, was that come May?

[42:21] » No, please go ahead. >> Was that coming out of board of works?

[42:24] Have you looked into the possibility of different alternative

[42:29] » uh sources of electricity? We have those that are available.

[42:35] » Uh solar, >> wind,

[42:38] » well, we we tried solar. That didn't work out for us. So, um, but,

[42:44] uh, no, we I mean I don't know that we don't own the electric lines. That's the

[42:51] electric company. So, I don't know how that would work as far as electric as

[42:56] electricity production or the type of electricity. It comes from a

[43:01] » cuz they own them, >> right? I understand that. But if we may

[43:06] continue, >> please. It's all building on the same

[43:09] question. >> Okay. It's uh an opportunity to draw in

[43:15] free electricity and store it and we could have a substation and then put it

[43:19] back on the grid. Um is that something that the administration may be

[43:24] considering that we could do that to help reduce it? This is a large line

[43:28] item and it' be nice to reduce that number.

[43:32] » Yeah, I it's I and I'm sure I know that it's getting looked at.

[43:37] » Okay. All right. Thank you. So, council person green, are you advocating for a

[43:41] solar arm? Is that what you're doing? >> I'm advocating for all of them.

[43:45] » We have we have we have a large property on 8th Street. We

[43:51] » Let's move on to council.

[43:54] » No, no, I just wanted to say I like I may I make a comment or no?

[43:59] » Absolutely. >> Okay. The comment is regarding solar and

[44:02] I really appreciate the council here keep bringing it up at every opportunity

[44:06] as a way to reduce and if I may speak for myself but you guys can we support I

[44:13] support the administration to keep doing whatever I know it didn't work on the

[44:16] last council with the last council but looking at this council I think um you

[44:23] have people who would support that so thank you for keep trying and I know you

[44:26] guys have been trying thank Okay. >> Um, council person,

[44:32] » you said you tried out solar. >> How how can you How didn't it work?

[44:38] » Uh, the council voted it down. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

[44:41] » Uh, at the Chevy plant. >> Yep. Solar field.

[44:44] » Have we Sure. Sure. when have you looked into like um what the cost is for the

[44:52] I'd like the solar little solar panels to go on top of the street lights and

[44:56] everything like that to what like do we know what that would be?

[45:00] » Yeah. Well, I can't give you a dollar figure, but if you go to Canon Commons,

[45:04] those are solar lights. >> Okay.

[45:06] » So, when we have those opportunities now, that was paid for by Edit.

[45:09] » Okay. >> But, um and in partnership with C.

[45:13] » Yep. Um, so we always appreciate Rick Ziggler, but those those were solar. I

[45:17] wanted to mention as far as searching for solar, uh, we did apply for multiple

[45:23] grants. They're all very were very competitive, and we were granted $3.6

[45:28] million for that 8th Street Field in a grant. Uh, but those funds were pulled

[45:34] by the new by Doge. So, uh, and so we were one of six cities that got that

[45:41] grant. we were going to be able to put in a field for all of those 55 acres.

[45:46] Um, but that went away. So, we've continued to look for opportunities,

[45:51] especially since the last council did vote down the solar option, which would

[45:55] have generated over at this point would have been about $590,000

[45:59] into the general fund, but uh that is no longer an option. and the the amounts

[46:06] that the utilities are allowed to pay Cuh customers who put in solar fields

[46:11] has now dropped substantially and to where it's not economically viable

[46:15] because I was going to use edit funds and put in a partial solar field but it

[46:20] would take over 50 years to get that money back.

[46:23] » Um and so we we looked for grants and we were granted we were one of six cities

[46:28] in Indiana that got and we got $3.6 million.

[46:32] um but that was pulled back um as they didn't want to didn't want to do that.

[46:38] And so we continue to look for that opport those opportunities and for other

[46:43] grants. Uh there are there aren't a lot of grant opportunities out there to help

[46:48] people with help cities with building maintenance. Uh that's just not

[46:53] something that's pretty very exciting. um it might be for us, but it's not

[46:59] something for a federal government or a state government to say, "Hey, we will

[47:02] help you pay for X, Y, and Z." Uh they will they're happy to do that or or help

[47:08] individuals who are on the lower income scale to help with paying for utility.

[47:15] It's we're finding that's not uh we're not finding very many options for grants

[47:20] in that area. These two are not have not been part of that process. I just

[47:23] thought I'd come up and say that not we have diligently looked for opportunities

[47:28] and had one that we thought was going to go in and even made the first cut

[47:33] through uh the Doge um and they had received that their money the

[47:39] organization that we were going to get those funds from but uh in the end it

[47:42] got pulled in the second in the second one. So that's why we never announced

[47:46] it. This is kind of the first time I've ever publicly announced that. That would

[47:50] have >> it would have been nice

[47:52] » would have been nice. Uh but the amount we would have received is far different

[47:55] than we would have received back in 2022 because the utilities don't have to pay

[48:00] as much. It has to go in it doesn't go they didn't have to pay the same uh rate

[48:05] that they were required to pay back in that time. So it's adjusted but we

[48:10] continue to look and as far as solar we've we've we've talked it. It's just a

[48:16] it's more expensive. Um, that's the reality. It's more expensive to put on.

[48:22] Um, it has a good return down the road, but uh, it's it's just a real challenge.

[48:29] I just want to say that we have not only looked, but we were granted. All right.

[48:33] And it was >> We appreciate that clarification. We're

[48:35] going to move on. >> Um,

[48:39] Miss Wright, health insurance, how much did that increase? How overall, I mean,

[48:45] for our entire city, how much Did we budget for an increases in health?

[48:50] » But actually, you mean as far as an individual or total

[48:53] » total? >> Total actually we budgeted down

[48:57] » budget down >> rates in we got a better deal.

[48:59] » And why is >> Excuse me. That's all right. Council

[49:03] person Dash. >> Now could could you go into further

[49:06] detail about that? >> Why is Yeah, we changed providers.

[49:12] That's given us a better deal. >> Okay. Okay. And to follow up on that,

[49:17] so we can expect that we won't be increasing our health insurance premiums

[49:22] for our employees? >> No,

[49:23] » we will not. >> Good.

[49:25] » Okay. >> They're actually

[49:26] » That's good news right there. >> It's actually going down 13%.

[49:30] » For our employees? >> Yes.

[49:31] » That's wonderful. >> Yeah. And

[49:33] » with comparable coverage or are we unfortunately losing out on Dr.

[49:37] » Same. >> Basically the same.

[49:39] » Okay. >> I'm sorry for that.

[49:41] » That's okay. You're fine. We're we're we're working through uh council person

[49:46] going you have a question on board works >> I do um there are a couple things I'm

[49:51] looking at the today's the budget performance thank you for sending that M

[49:56] um through today um toward the bottom of this actually that were pretty low on

[50:00] and a couple that were over on and I'm just kind of wondering when we were

[50:04] talking earlier about the other insurance looks like he's only used 9%

[50:07] of that >> no that all cut towards the end of the

[50:09] year >> that's what I was going to ask is that

[50:10] when the audits address and everything Okay.

[50:12] » All right. And then we're quite a bit over on the just general other services

[50:18] and charges. We're 159% already. Any idea what why that is and what that's

[50:24] for? >> A lot of

[50:25] » I know it's a lot of probably miscellaneous, but

[50:28] » it's it's legal a lot of legal fees that we get that put get put into other

[50:32] services charges. >> Okay.

[50:35] » Okay. One more question. >> Yes. Board of work question from council

[50:39] person Salvi. >> Thank you.

[50:42] Chair chair. >> Uh um the communication fee that comes

[50:47] from the board of works, right? With Yeah. And that went up

[50:52] » 10%. Is that right? >> But the comm communication center is at

[50:56] $1 million. >> It's still the same. It didn't go up.

[50:59] Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions at this end

[51:03] for board of works? >> No. At this end. All right. So, we will

[51:08] move on and we'll quickly go over the city council budget which is on page

[51:13] five. We don't have a whole lot of us. So, um

[51:18] » 4% >> 4% salary increase. Um and

[51:21] » unless you don't want it on it, >> we'll see. We can help out. Um and the

[51:25] only other thing I had is I would like for you to kind of explain the city

[51:28] council ethics commission $3,000 charge. Um just so that people are aware that we

[51:34] are taking on that expense. What is that charge for?

[51:38] » That's the videotaping.

[51:40] » Videaping the that >> or the streaming. I I'm old school. So I

[51:45] say streaming >> and this year that is being covered by

[51:48] our um our attorney has covered those costs. So all right

[51:51] » which yeah I kept your uh the you know the attorney fees the same of course an

[51:56] increase. >> They should be all right. Any questions

[52:00] about city council budget from any of our finance committee members?

[52:07] All right. And so then we will move on to channel 60. And channel 60 is on page

[52:12] 18.

[52:15] And that would uh as we turn to page 18, uh channel 60 is another it is the um

[52:23] communications director. Correct. >> Yes.

[52:25] » Okay. [Applause]

[52:28] So >> no changes with the exception of the

[52:31] pay. Well, it uh my first question is, is there intention to fund this position

[52:35] out of a general fund in 2026? Okay. >> And the salary increase is more than

[52:42] 13%. Is there a reason why this salary is 13% higher than it was scheduled uh

[52:47] budgeted appropriated? >> From the I took it from the salary

[52:51] ordinance that was the amended salary ordinance and added 4% to it.

[52:57] » Okay. and we'll review that salary ordinance

[53:01] and the minutes circulate uh that go with that. And then um just for my own

[53:07] clarification, so the funding was eliminated for that position this year

[53:11] out of the general fund, but we are paying $18,000 from the general fund in

[53:16] benefits for that position that was eliminated.

[53:19] But you the money was moved from the money was moved from edit to that to pay

[53:24] it because there weren't the the benefits

[53:28] weren't benefits lines in edit. >> Well, let's see.

[53:35] » I believe that to be I'll confirm that with the with our

[53:39] » Hold on one second and then I will open for questions. But let me find it.

[53:47] There's um life insurance, there's health insurance, there's all of those.

[53:53] So those you're saying that that's money being paid for out of edit, but it's in

[53:57] the general fund. So you've moved money out of edit into the general fund this

[54:02] year? >> I believe that be the case. I can

[54:04] confirm that for you. >> Yeah. Could you confirm that and send

[54:06] that that documentation to us? Thank you.

[54:09] » All right. Anyone else have questions for channel 60?

[54:13] No problem. anyone. Okay. So then having

[54:20] we'll move on to you controller and that is on page one.

[54:25] » No changes um with the exception of the salary and

[54:30] everything else is stay the same. >> Okay.

[54:35] So um hold on hold on. And so again, I ask

[54:39] you is it your intention to fund the position of deputy controller out of the

[54:44] general fund for 2026? >> Yes.

[54:46] » Okay. And your salary uh increase is slightly more than 6% from the line item

[54:52] appropriated for 2025. Is that >> an error?

[54:55] » Took it from the salary ordinance from the amended salary ordinance and

[55:00] budgeted 4% on it. So what you're saying is that you took the the 6968

[55:08] 86 that we appropriated into the line item. It would have been the salary from

[55:14] 2024 plus 1% cuz that's what we did for this

[55:17] budget. You added 4% to it this year. Correct.

[55:22] » Correct. >> And then you're adding four more% for

[55:24] next year. But that would be more than 6%. You've only added 6%. So my question

[55:31] is what's up with the math? I mean that

[55:37] that doesn't that doesn't make sense with what you're saying. So I guess I'm

[55:41] just wondering how you calculated that. >> I took the amended salary which was

[55:45] right now it's at 2580885 bi-weekly

[55:52] and then added the 4% to it. >> Okay. So you're saying you did not get

[55:57] 4% increase this year. You got just the 1% and some change.

[56:03] » This is from this is the current salary ordinance, the amended one that we did.

[56:10] » Okay. For me and civilian employees. >> Pardon?

[56:15] » Okay. >> Um Okay. So, next question about your

[56:18] overtime line item. It went from 5,130 to $53,352.

[56:25] Is that is that what you're budgeting?

[56:30] » Yes. >> You are you are increasing your

[56:33] » Well, wait. >> Overtime line item by more than

[56:38] » almost Yeah. Almost $50,000. >> No.

[56:44] » Overtime. We're at See

[56:51] » overtime. >> Yeah, that is an error. I did I did not

[56:55] catch that mic. Okay. >> Yeah.

[56:56] » So, >> yes,

[56:58] » that we have we have our first reduction, ladies and gentlemen.

[57:01] » There you go. >> There you go.

[57:03] » Yes, we just were looking for >> that parking spot out there.

[57:07] » Okay. >> Um All right. Hold on. And I have turn

[57:13] open it up to the floor. >> So, that is definitely you're going to

[57:16] hit a star by that one. >> And I would agree with that 100%.

[57:21] » All right. Um let's see and then some questions and I'm asking from the June

[57:28] budget report. Um how do you decide a budget amendment for

[57:35] the budget? Um for instance and I'll just go in your budget there's what the

[57:40] first line is the adopted budget and then there's the next the next column is

[57:45] budget amendments. And so for deputy controller, you amended in $1,725.

[57:52] For city controller, you amended in $1,874.

[57:56] For payroll clerk, you amended in $3,900. And those happen throughout the

[58:01] budget. And so my question is, why are you amending in money to

[58:07] appropriated line items? And um where does that money come from?

[58:11] » Yeah. >> And why? I believe originally when we

[58:16] budgeted for this year, we budgeted a 3% increase.

[58:23] » Originally when we budgeted and adopted the budget in October, we budgeted for a

[58:26] 1% increase because we had all three unions in active negotiations.

[58:31] » So we passed an adopted budget that had the 2024 salaries plus 1%. And so I'm

[58:38] just curious why you're amending money into these line items without coming

[58:43] before council. >> These

[58:48] I mean go ahead. >> No, go ahead. No, it's uh you know from

[58:54] » I mean it's throughout the budget if you everyone committee members will look at

[58:58] their budget performance report there's there's a lot of money and this is from

[59:04] June so I haven't even looked at the most recent you're amend you're putting

[59:07] money into line items that have been adopted by council without coming before

[59:11] council. So I'm curious where that money is coming from.

[59:14] » Um I I'll I'll I'll look into it and get an answer for you on that. Okay, I I do

[59:20] expect an answer on that. And then my next question is why why are you adding

[59:24] money to line items that have already been adopted from appropriations by the

[59:29] fiscal body >> from the from the additional percentage

[59:32] that we got from the the ask me? >> No, you're not a member of ask me, sir.

[59:38] » My department is

[59:42] » your deputy controller is not. He should be being paid by edit. So, that wouldn't

[59:46] be in there. Um, let's see. Uh, Miss Munson, are you a member of ASME?

[59:54] » No. >> Okay. So, that wouldn't be it. So, I'm

[59:57] just curious why there are monies being amended into line items

[1:00:01] that we've adopted as a fiscal body without coming before council.

[1:00:07] » Oh, I mean, I know that something is on there. So,

[1:00:12] » and so then depending on where it comes from, because there are certain

[1:00:15] situations where you can move money around without getting approval, but

[1:00:18] depending on >> as long as you're in the line items from

[1:00:21] the four ones and the four twos and four threes.

[1:00:24] » Is that what you said? >> So, sorry

[1:00:28] you watch. So, so again, it would have to come from another category that has

[1:00:33] to do with employee service charges. So, we're looking at Medicare or overtime or

[1:00:39] things along those lines, but we should see decreases in those line items in

[1:00:42] this budget if that's where they're coming from. And we don't see those. So,

[1:00:46] I just am curious again where this money is coming from that you're putting into

[1:00:49] these line items that we've adopted totals for

[1:00:53] » and I will get I will get the answer for you.

[1:00:55] » And so, then my next question is why there wasn't a transfer that came

[1:01:01] before council with an additional appropriation or even a line item

[1:01:04] transfer. and you're going to get to us with that. And then there are instances

[1:01:09] and I'll have to find it, but there's actually instances where you took money

[1:01:12] out of budgets, but I guess that's your priority. It's it's, you know, um,

[1:01:18] and then I because it's such an interesting instit I guess I asked

[1:01:23] again, how can you amend the budget without council approval? But I will

[1:01:27] allow an open floor so that others can ask some questions. Any questions from

[1:01:33] the council as of yet? Okay. So, our general um now we'll go on to a

[1:01:40] couple of the miscellaneous revenues for next year.

[1:01:46] Um generous our general uh general fund miscellaneous revenue increased by about

[1:01:50] almost $900,000. But almost every other line item went um

[1:01:57] fund went down. Local roads and streets other receipts is down by $1.2 $2

[1:02:00] million. Can you explain that? >> The edit.

[1:02:04] » It's form two. >> Yeah.

[1:02:06] » Would be the edit funds. They would be considered

[1:02:09] » considered in the >> miscellaneous

[1:02:11] » as a transfer >> for local roads and streets.

[1:02:14] » Not for local roads and streets. >> That's what I'm asking about. Local

[1:02:16] roads and streets other receipts is down $1.2 million.

[1:02:23] And I'm just curious where that one point I mean if have we lost major

[1:02:27] amounts of funding in local roads and streets.

[1:02:30] » That would be Adam uh the city engineer and street.

[1:02:35] » I'll make sure to ask I'll just ask you because you're the one that input the

[1:02:37] information. Um next >> and he's got an explanation on this.

[1:02:41] » I'll I'll ask him on Tuesday. Thank you. Um next $500,000 in motor vehicle in

[1:02:47] other receipts. So I guess we'll have to ask Mr. leech what other receipts are so

[1:02:52] we'll know why we're losing almost $1.7 million out of our street department

[1:02:58] uh as far as >> but he also I know he has cash the

[1:03:02] beginning cash balance in this >> okay so then again we talked about edit

[1:03:07] being up $1.9 million and that was an excellent question and I appreciate the

[1:03:10] mayor making sure that the commitment to the community center is still on board

[1:03:15] for that $500,000 but the overall picture is that we are

[1:03:19] um nearly every fund except the general fund, the edit, and the parks

[1:03:25] uh decreased. And so there's nearly $5 million decrease in our miscellaneous

[1:03:30] revenue for 2026 or 2025. And I'm just curious, is that are you saying that

[1:03:35] that's due to state board mean one or is that is that where we're seeing that

[1:03:42] or is it just the fact that that's the way the numbers went that day? Uh I mean

[1:03:48] you certainly set in with the DLGF. I mean

[1:03:51] » well unfortunately you didn't have any of the miscellaneous revenues ready that

[1:03:54] day. So >> So I mean it's you know a lot goes into

[1:03:59] miscellaneous revenues. Yeah. >> You know uh

[1:04:04] » well a lot came out this year for next year. So that's unfortunate for us.

[1:04:08] » So m right. Well the miscellaneous revenues that comes from the state. Um,

[1:04:13] do they? Because actually when we met with DGF, council person Bash and I,

[1:04:18] they were expecting you to already have entered those things and they weren't

[1:04:21] entered that day. Those those come from you from what I understand.

[1:04:24] » I think it was form one that they >> No, no, form one wasn't wasn't

[1:04:29] completed, but form two, which is miscellaneous revenues, wasn't completed

[1:04:32] as well. You had just started putting in some data, but they were asking about

[1:04:36] that >> because it wasn't in. So I So are you

[1:04:39] saying that the DLGF creates these numbers or do you create these numbers?

[1:04:44] » We that's my question. Do you create the miscellaneous revenue numbers

[1:04:49] » for there are certain miscellaneous revenues which we gave you and

[1:04:54] Councilwoman Basham copies at the meeting.

[1:04:58] » You you gave us a a >> and then but then there's like um

[1:05:04] building permits. There's different fees and those those probably not.

[1:05:09] » Those would be generated by us based on what the building commissioner projects

[1:05:13] that they're like for in in the for the instance building permits,

[1:05:19] » but some of the miscellaneous revenues come from the state. Some of them and

[1:05:23] it's on the DLGF website. Anybody can look it up.

[1:05:26] » Well, I don't know that we can look it up at this point in time without without

[1:05:30] having access to it because you can't look up the current year.

[1:05:32] » It's on their it's on their website. >> I don't believe we can look up the

[1:05:35] current year. We can look up this year. I'll I can email you a c the link which

[1:05:41] takes you right to you just have to go to county specific.

[1:05:44] » So you would you would give us access to reading rights only to the deal the

[1:05:47] gateway. >> No I would give you access to the I this

[1:05:50] is going through the front door like any other citizen could do.

[1:05:54] » I I because that is something I think we would all appreciate is access to

[1:05:58] gateway read only rights to see what's going in and what's going out.

[1:06:01] » Uh that's >> but that's another conversation for

[1:06:03] another day. >> Right. But I can send you an the link

[1:06:07] that I use that is not it's not specific. I don't enter a password or

[1:06:12] anything. It's it's on the internet that shows county specific. You can go

[1:06:17] through all 92 counties and look at all their miscellaneous revenues and things

[1:06:21] and but yeah, and I'm happy to do that. And that's the the copies that I gave

[1:06:28] both of you were off of that website. >> Okay. All right. I don't know that they

[1:06:33] were complete from what we see as form two. I know that there were probably 10

[1:06:37] 10 line items at that point. >> There was some things that weren't that

[1:06:40] weren't in yet, but as far as the miscellaneous revenue that the state

[1:06:45] produces that was in that part of >> to be fair, I think we also had

[1:06:50] anticipated another meeting for updated data, but I don't I don't know that.

[1:06:56] » No, we were hoping and and yes, you're exactly right, Councilman Basham. We

[1:07:00] were hoping that um our DJF field rep would fill out the budget worksheet

[1:07:05] based on this year's numbers because we didn't have the data for next year at

[1:07:09] that point in time because it hadn't been entered and so we were going to

[1:07:13] meet in their office when it came in but it didn't come in for a long time.

[1:07:16] » So through no fault of your own. >> All right. So then we will um open up

[1:07:21] the floor. Any questions for the controller

[1:07:24] » on the controller budget? >> I think that's been covered. Very good.

[1:07:27] » Okay. So, we will move on from controller to personnel. Thank you very

[1:07:32] much for your time and I appreciate you guys answering our questions.

[1:07:38] Uh control uh I'm sorry, personnel is on page six.

[1:07:49] I'm going to do a mic. >> Make sure that we can hear you on the

[1:07:52] mic because that's the only >> I know it's been

[1:07:56] so many. I'll put my eyes back on.

[1:08:01] » All right. >> Good evening, council.

[1:08:03] » Good evening. >> We appreciate you coming in on a Friday

[1:08:06] night. I know it's where you want to spend all your time. Um, we will start

[1:08:10] with your salary increase by more than 6%. Can we understand? Can you give us

[1:08:16] an explanation why? >> I can. So, we took the salary budget

[1:08:20] that was adopted in I believe March of this year and 4% on top of that, which

[1:08:25] is what we budgeted. So, >> okay.

[1:08:28] » Okay. >> So, you base it on the salary ordinance,

[1:08:30] not what was appropriated. >> That is correct.

[1:08:34] » All right. Your specialist salary only went up $83 though. Is there an

[1:08:38] explanation there? Cuz that's not 4%. >> What happened there?

[1:08:41] » It actually should. My numbers were not that, but I'm not sure. Let me look at

[1:08:46] the numbers that you have in front of you. Okay. I have my

[1:08:49] » number six of the proposed budget uh personal personnel specialist. It went

[1:08:55] up $83 from what? Let me make sure here. Page six. Page six. So in 2025 for this

[1:09:03] year, the council adopted a budget for specialists for 47074

[1:09:11] and the 2025 total is 47157. They made a whopping $83.

[1:09:19] » Well, that certainly wasn't intentional. That is what happened. Um, look, I have

[1:09:25] the salary ordinance over here. Now I'm not finding it because you're putting me

[1:09:28] on the spot, Miss Pal. >> I I asked you to come prepare to answer

[1:09:33] questions about your proposed budget >> and I did and I I was just joking with

[1:09:37] you. I'm sorry. >> Okay.

[1:09:38] » Um, just give me a moment if you would. >> Sure.

[1:09:42] » So, the salary is right here.

[1:09:56] That's a third line down, right? >> Yes. Personnel specialist.

[1:10:04] » It's page six on both budgets.

[1:10:11] » Okay. So the salary ordinance for this year

[1:10:17] for the annual would have been 4534374.

[1:10:22] So if the new budget is just what you said is actually $2,000 more.

[1:10:30] » So the salary ordinance from from >> Please continue. I'm sorry. I didn't

[1:10:34] mean to interrupt. >> No, you're fine. The salary ordinance

[1:10:37] personnel specialist is 1743.99 bi-weekly on an annual rate that's

[1:10:43] 45,34374

[1:10:46] and then it went up in my budget proposal to 47,157.

[1:10:52] » Well, that's very interesting because we adopted 47,074.

[1:10:56] So, we've been underpaying your personnel specialists this entire year

[1:11:00] from what the council appropriated for them to earn. And the thing my

[1:11:05] understanding is about the salary ordinance is that is an up to amount if

[1:11:10] I'm absolutely correct and so if they're being paid less than the salary

[1:11:14] ordinance that's okay. So if we're under budget

[1:11:17] » Okay. So my next question is for you Mr. Craig. Right. Um if we're saying that

[1:11:21] it's okay that we don't go up to salary ordinance and everyone else has been

[1:11:25] being paid at the salary ordinance this year. Why isn't the personnel specials

[1:11:28] being paid at the salary ordinance? Um,

[1:11:32] » could could I clarify? >> Hold on. I'm asking a question of Mr.

[1:11:35] Wright. >> I apologize.

[1:11:38] » Yeah, I mean it's uh look at the salary ordinance and we did the 4% as well.

[1:11:44] » Is this personnel specialist a member of ask me?

[1:11:47] » Are they a member of the Okay, that's fine. I was asking you. no members of my

[1:11:52] team are a member of ask me. And the reason the salary is less is because the

[1:11:58] person is a fairly new hire within my department. They're not experienced yet.

[1:12:03] » Um, and we had someone who was long-term who's retired.

[1:12:08] » And so once they get their skill set up, experience, etc., then we will go up to,

[1:12:12] which is what I encourage all of our department heads to do to not

[1:12:16] necessarily start them at the top. >> So we will put that. Do you intend? So

[1:12:20] then the intention is to pay this personnel specialist um 47157

[1:12:26] in 2026 >> once they get up to where I would expect

[1:12:30] their performance to be. Yes, ma'am. >> Do you have a date for that? I mean I I

[1:12:33] I >> the person this

[1:12:36] » that's very subjective. >> It is very subjective. I will tell you

[1:12:39] the person is newly hired about 6 weeks in. It was vacant for about 6 weeks

[1:12:44] maybe 2 months. Um, so it just depends on how he does

[1:12:49] » and I understand that and I respect that. I just want to we are always going

[1:12:52] to advocate for our employees and make sure that they are being paid as much as

[1:12:55] possible as soon as possible. And so that's the reason I asked that question.

[1:12:58] Council person, >> may I just put an exclamation mark on

[1:13:02] Congress person?

[1:13:06] » I mean person >> um that I I appreciate knowing that.

[1:13:13] Yeah, that was a that was a very >> Yeah, absolutely.

[1:13:16] » And anyone else down there? >> I have one.

[1:13:18] » Uh, council person Garrett, >> do you have like just to kind of dig

[1:13:23] back, do you have a timeline or or like a a training that you go through to get

[1:13:27] this employee up to par where she'll be at this like or is it kind of like when

[1:13:32] you think she's there? >> So, if I can correct you at actually

[1:13:35] this position is filled by a male. >> Okay, sorry.

[1:13:38] » That's okay. Um, and uh, I have a timeline when they're working

[1:13:43] independently is what I would like to see. I don't have that at this point.

[1:13:47] Okay. >> Um, so I I feel like once they're

[1:13:50] through the training period, typically that would take about 90 days. 90 days.

[1:13:55] » Um, but again, we're not there yet. >> Um, and you know,

[1:13:59] » it's an incentive as well, you know, to work toward. Right. Correct.

[1:14:03] » So, >> yeah. Thank you.

[1:14:04] » Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh, next. I'm sorry. Did I hear? Okay.

[1:14:08] Um, next question. Employee assistance program is zeroed out.

[1:14:12] » That is correct. >> So, we're not offering that anymore or

[1:14:15] is that being funded from another? >> It's being funded, I believe, from the

[1:14:19] board of works. It's the employee assistance program. We do have it and

[1:14:22] folks are actively using it. I refer it all the time.

[1:14:26] » Thank you very much. I know. I know that's very important to our employees.

[1:14:29] Why is there not a line item in board of works for employee assistance program if

[1:14:32] it's being paid for out of out of board of work? Sir,

[1:14:36] » add other services and charges. >> Thank you. Okay.

[1:14:40] All right. And my last question is that you've added other services and charges

[1:14:44] line item and I'm just curious what that includes.

[1:14:47] » Okay. Actually, I moved $300 from my office supplies down to other services

[1:14:52] and charges because I can't move because the four ones and the 42s and the four

[1:14:56] threes, right? >> Yes.

[1:14:57] » Um and some of my charges, if you will, don't fall under office supplies. For

[1:15:02] example, I had to have locks fixed in my office on my furniture. Um, and that

[1:15:07] doesn't fall under office supplies. It doesn't really fall under any of my

[1:15:11] categories, right? And so, I needed some funding in that line item so I could put

[1:15:15] some miscellaneous things in there. >> Okay. So, you you've created that or or

[1:15:19] either that or you funded a line item that wasn't showing up because it wasn't

[1:15:22] fun. >> That's correct. It was not funded last

[1:15:24] year, but I just moved money from office supplies down to a service.

[1:15:29] » Great. Um, any questions for personnel? >> Council person Green.

[1:15:33] » Yes, thank you. Uh, I have a question on the other insurance. Would like you

[1:15:38] clarify what that is. That 3850. >> You know, I I actually thought that was

[1:15:43] like life insurance and those kinds of things, but I'm not positive. That's

[1:15:47] kind of one of those I think every department head has said, I'm unsure.

[1:15:50] Let's ask the controller. And so, I guess I'm going to do the same thing.

[1:15:54] And I'm sorry. Um, I don't actually get bills for it. If you continue,

[1:15:59] » may we ask Mr. Wright what >> that general liabilities

[1:16:03] work? Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you, Craig. I apologize that

[1:16:07] I don't know. I don't get invoices for it. So,

[1:16:10] » because you do have a a life insurance line item.

[1:16:13] » Okay. 12 minutes. Thank you, Laura. >> I appreciate it. You're welcome.

[1:16:18] » Another question from Council Green. >> Um, training fees and instructions. Yes,

[1:16:23] we have not utilized that much this year. Um, as I've already explained

[1:16:28] earlier in the presentation, we've had some transition in my department.

[1:16:32] Actually, since I started, maybe because of me. I'm not sure. Not. But, but at

[1:16:37] any rate, we've had some transition. We haven't been able to utilize it.

[1:16:40] However, we are spending some now out of there and will continue to do so. We

[1:16:45] don't plan to use the entire 3,000 this year.

[1:16:48] » So, you do intend to next year? Um, I hope to continue to have that budget for

[1:16:53] next year, the same amount, so that we can utilize it more next year than we

[1:16:57] were able to this year. >> Okay.

[1:16:59] » Thank you. >> Uh, councilman, do you have a question?

[1:17:02] I thought I thought cut you off. >> That's great.

[1:17:05] » Any questions for personnel? Any questions? All right, we are finished.

[1:17:08] Thank you very much. >> And it is a little nerve-wracking having

[1:17:14] » you did just fine. >> Thanks, guys.

[1:17:17] We are going to take a breath and welcome the myy department up to the

[1:17:22] podium and they are on starting with the fire

[1:17:26] department general fund budget. It is page 11 of your 2025 and your 2026

[1:17:32] budgets. And chief, if you'll give us just a moment to get to the right spot.

[1:17:37] Again, I want to remind you to please talk clearly into the microphone so Lacy

[1:17:41] can work her magic.

[1:17:47] Okay, I'll make sure everyone gets on the

[1:17:57] a rather large budget. So, I am going to ask people to uh be recognized before

[1:18:02] they as we get I'm sorry and I did that. I apologize. Um but yes, so we will we

[1:18:09] will go ahead and start um Oh, sorry.

[1:18:17] Sorry. All right. So,

[1:18:22] uh, your chief salary line item increased by 36 over $36,000. Is that

[1:18:27] you and deputy chief? >> It's just the two of us.

[1:18:30] » Correct. You remember last year there was there was a lot cut from the chief's

[1:18:35] line item. >> Yes.

[1:18:36] » But what the salary ordinance, you know, read there again. So, um, you know, we

[1:18:41] had figured those raises and then we put 4% on what on what that was, what we

[1:18:45] were currently. >> And so, I have a question. Are you part

[1:18:49] of the city's negotiation team? >> We do.

[1:18:53] » You sit down on the city side. >> And you're members of the union as well?

[1:18:57] » Well, we're members. >> You fall under you fall under the CVA.

[1:19:01] » No, >> you don't.

[1:19:03] » Not technically. We don't technically negotiate the the chief salary.

[1:19:09] Okay. Um, so you fall under the you fall under the CBA and you sit in on the

[1:19:16] city's negotiation team, >> but we don't technically fall completely

[1:19:20] under the CBA, but under the salary ordinance, we do receive the longevity

[1:19:24] um, you know, the tech pays, things like that, as it's written in the salary.

[1:19:28] » And, and just for clarification, so in the 10% that was negotiated for next

[1:19:32] year, if and when you would have gotten that 10%

[1:19:37] I assume so. >> So, you do fall under the CDA in regards

[1:19:40] to salaries and things like that. >> Traditionally, they have the chiefs of

[1:19:46] the fire department have received the same base pay raises as firefighters

[1:19:51] did. >> Okay. I just I wasn't familiar with the

[1:19:54] chiefs being under the um so I guess on that did you we all fill out a conflict

[1:20:02] of interest form? Mhm. >> Have you filled that out and provided it

[1:20:05] to either HR or >> we Yeah, we they require us to fill them

[1:20:08] out annually. >> Okay.

[1:20:09] » Correct. >> All right.

[1:20:12] So, um all and and moving on down. All of your department positions are put

[1:20:17] into one line item. >> Yeah. And that's if I can the easiest

[1:20:21] way for me to explain was I took this year's budget, the 25 budget,

[1:20:25] » and I figured the 4% raises and what those costs are across the board across

[1:20:30] all three funds. um technically four funds because we have two in 104 that we

[1:20:35] pay um to come up with what the totals were, what the total impact was per

[1:20:39] fund. And then from there, we took those that dollar amount and then combined

[1:20:45] things um so that we're down instead of paying a firefighter salary out of three

[1:20:49] separate funds, we're paying out of one, >> the general fund. So you put all that

[1:20:53] financial burden into the general fund. >> Well, but we removed the overtime out of

[1:20:57] the general fund. We removed the PERF out of the general fund as well. So, it

[1:21:02] balanced the totals that it was costing per fund. But this is something that,

[1:21:07] you know, in the three and a half years that I've been in with the

[1:21:09] administration, I've been looking forward to do because it makes it easier

[1:21:12] for us to stand here and budget with you. Makes it easier for you to go

[1:21:16] through the budget. Makes it easier for the controllers's office to pay. We have

[1:21:19] such a problem with funds and things getting mixed up. So, um,

[1:21:23] » well, we I'm I'm probably going to go through with the questions as I've

[1:21:26] reviewed the budget, so I probably won't be lumping everything together. Well, I

[1:21:29] know I won't. I'm going to go with the questions that I wrote, but you're more

[1:21:32] than welcome to explain that you've done that and that's why you've done that.

[1:21:35] Yep. >> Um,

[1:21:37] » but so all all of the the um all of the firefighter

[1:21:44] everything from deputy chief or no, deputy chief is is put in with you,

[1:21:48] correct? Correct. And then everything else is put into the firefighter line

[1:21:51] item. And and we don't we're not asking anything about that or because we know

[1:21:56] again we learned last year that there's many many different variables and so

[1:22:00] we're going to have to take your word on it that that's 4% and and go from there.

[1:22:05] Um but your other employees they all increase by 4% office manager and and

[1:22:10] things along those lines. >> Correct.

[1:22:12] » Okay. And then um see your holiday pay in the and I'm

[1:22:19] talking strictly general fund increased by uh $51,000

[1:22:23] » and that's correct because we took holiday pays from the other funds put

[1:22:27] them into this fund as well and then transferred things out of this fund into

[1:22:31] so that we had like I said we have single line items now for holiday pay. I

[1:22:36] didn't know if that was just a contractual bump or if so, but that's

[1:22:39] just >> No, the total actually stays the same,

[1:22:41] but now instead of paying for multiple funds, it will be paid from the 101.

[1:22:45] » Okay. And so your perf expense went to the other fund and so there's no perf

[1:22:50] coming from anywhere other than the the and I have to get to it, but

[1:22:54] » yes, for suppression personnel, um, their PEF is being is being moved to the

[1:22:58] 105 >> suppression. And I'll ask a question

[1:23:02] about that personel.

[1:23:06] All right. And I promise I will let other people ask. Clothing allowance was

[1:23:10] increased by $195,000. Is that >> again moving it from another fund to

[1:23:17] » it? Decreased. >> It's in 101. It should have gone down to

[1:23:20] zero because that was moved to another fund as well.

[1:23:26] » Is that what you have as a zero? >> Okay. Then I didn't set funds there. So

[1:23:30] that's zero. Thank you. And then just some some clarification questions.

[1:23:37] Um condition of maintenance $11,000. What is that?

[1:23:41] » That's the contractual um amount. It's $100 per per merit firefighter. Um that

[1:23:48] is for the individuals to use at their stations. It's divided up by stations so

[1:23:52] they can purchase televisions, grills, um things they need for their stations.

[1:23:57] » Okay. And then repairs and maintenance, $126,000. What is that? Is that repairs

[1:24:02] for the different stations soft tours? >> No, this this is equipment rental and

[1:24:07] repair. Um >> um I am looking at and I could be wrong.

[1:24:12] Let me put my um repair and maintenance. Uh other services and charges

[1:24:17] 10121436011. It just says repair and maintenance

[1:24:22] equipment. Oh man, >> that is was in the 436011

[1:24:27] in the 105 as it reads on our chart and it's been used is equipment rental,

[1:24:32] repair and maintenance and that was moved out of the 105 up to the 101.

[1:24:36] » Okay. >> Okay. Um and and

[1:24:40] » Okay. So that is moved >> and furniture and fixtures 15,000.

[1:24:48] Would that would that be TVs and grills and stuff or is that

[1:24:52] » that's beds, sofas, recliners, the things that the city provides

[1:24:56] automatically for the firefighters? >> Of course. And then what vehicle is

[1:25:00] being leased that we see vehicle lease? >> The vehicle lease in the 101 that is for

[1:25:05] the aerial truck that Ball State pays. Um Ball State's revenue and ball

[1:25:11] hospitals revenue go directly into the 101.

[1:25:13] » Okay. >> So that's why that's paid out of 101.

[1:25:17] And then one moment please. So

[1:25:23] looking at this as of June 79% of your overtime budget

[1:25:30] for general fund have been spent down. I'm not sure and I'm sure that council

[1:25:35] Basham can tell me.

[1:25:38] » It's at 122 as of today. >> I'm sorry what?

[1:25:42] » It's at 122 as of today. >> That's right.

[1:25:46] 122 depleted. >> Mhm.

[1:25:48] » Okay. >> And then but we are

[1:25:50] » out of general fund. >> What's that?

[1:25:52] » And that's out of general fund, >> correct? Yeah.

[1:25:54] » Yeah. If you look through all the overtimes and all the funds right now

[1:25:57] are are they're maxed out. >> And then 200% of your unemployment

[1:26:00] budget was spent by the June 30th. >> 300.

[1:26:04] » Yeah. There was no money in the in the uh unemployment line item at all.

[1:26:10] » And that that's taken out upstairs. And then an odd question for this is

[1:26:16] that um other insurance wasn't even budgeted in the general fund, but you

[1:26:21] spent $79,000 out of that line item. Um when you look at the budget

[1:26:27] performance report, where did it go? Where did it go? Other insurance.

[1:26:31] » Well, I see where you're at. >> Other insurance.

[1:26:34] And so what is that? And is that a situation

[1:26:39] you're amending money into a a line item that

[1:26:42] » the that other insurance line item I said that's that's done through the

[1:26:45] controllers's office as far as where our insurance has come from. The other

[1:26:48] insurance of the 105 though I know that pays for our liabilities our vehicles

[1:26:53] our stations those policies. >> So you

[1:26:57] other insurance general fund let me make sure that that's where I am. other

[1:27:02] insurance general fund budgeted for a nothing. Current monthly transactions

[1:27:08] are $7,800. So you're spending $7,800 out of a line

[1:27:13] item that that had no money put into it. I again I don't understand how that's

[1:27:19] » Yeah. >> happening.

[1:27:21] » We haven't g anything for that line item from our office.

[1:27:25] » Okay. So you are are $79,000 in the hole of a line item that has never had money

[1:27:32] appropriated into it. So we'll make a mark by that one.

[1:27:39] Um I'm sorry. So software is and again I'm

[1:27:44] going by June 30th. So software is 88% expanded. And is that a set annual

[1:27:50] amount that you that's contractual like that's our

[1:27:54] software contract or >> it is and the majority of that comes out

[1:27:57] in January. >> Sure.

[1:27:59] » Front ended. >> And then um

[1:28:03] other services and charges 99% expended as of June the 30th. Um

[1:28:10] Council Person Bashman, what are we at now?

[1:28:12] » 100. >> 100. So you spent one more percent.

[1:28:16] » Yeah. >> All right.

[1:28:18] And so when we do that and we're

[1:28:24] at least three months left in the year are I mean at what point do you come to

[1:28:29] council and say we're this line item >> well we have three other services and

[1:28:32] charges lines. >> Thank you very much. And and again

[1:28:34] that's perfect explanation. Thank you. >> So we should not see any more charges

[1:28:39] coming out of the general fund other services and charges.

[1:28:42] » We won't we won't take anything more. >> Okay. Thank you.

[1:28:45] » Um let's see. So, are there any questions from the

[1:28:49] council on the general fund budget for the Mercy Fire Department? No.

[1:28:53] » No. >> Council person Green,

[1:28:55] » I have a few questions if I may. Um, the holiday pay is that at one and a half

[1:29:00] time. >> The this holiday pay is figured

[1:29:03] contractually. >> So, when a when a holiday's work, it's

[1:29:07] $150 for the shift. >> Okay.

[1:29:09] » Yeah. Next question I have is the uh the

[1:29:13] promotion of business at 12 and a half. What exactly is that? Could you explain

[1:29:20] that? >> Um one of the big things we use

[1:29:22] promotion of business is and it's our community promotions. I mean as we as

[1:29:26] it's spelled out in ours but that goes for recruitment um trying to get people

[1:29:31] but we also use community promotions for events that we do within the public as

[1:29:34] well.

[1:29:38] » Yes, please. Councilman Green, other question.

[1:29:40] » Uh, >> general fun question.

[1:29:42] » Question on page 14 where you have copier maintenance is 65,000 and

[1:29:49] computers, printers, and hardware at 5,000. It appears like you're repairing

[1:29:55] uh copers, spending 65,000 repairs when you

[1:30:02] » This is one of those line items that what it reads there is not what it reads

[1:30:05] within our inhouse. >> Could you? So, that one um the 65,000

[1:30:10] that we have, that's our software maintenance agreements.

[1:30:15] » I think we went through that last year as well.

[1:30:17] » Yeah.

[1:30:20] » Okay. >> Councilman Green, do you have any other

[1:30:24] follow-up questions? >> I don't believe so.

[1:30:26] » All right. Anyone else for the general fund budget?

[1:30:30] I'll give everyone a moment to to >> and we can always circle back if we need

[1:30:35] to. All right.

[1:30:39] Um we will move on to my fire department uh local income tax budget and that is

[1:30:45] going to be of your 2025 budget is page 18 and then chief has graciously

[1:30:51] provided us with a schedule.

[1:30:58] Give me one second, please.

[1:31:19] Okay.

[1:31:22] When we are all ready for the local income tax discussion, we'll move

[1:31:27] forward. All right. So, do you know what your current

[1:31:32] nonappropriated balance is for fund 105? >> It'll be 1649.

[1:31:39] » Good job. [Music]

[1:31:42] » And so, your entire per expense was moved to it.

[1:31:46] » Correct. Yeah. >> Thank you.

[1:31:50] » This one's going to be a really easy one.

[1:31:52] » No, we're good. >> Going forward. And so you're no longer

[1:31:56] paying firefighter wages out of this fund.

[1:31:57] » Correct. >> And no longer paying holiday pay. Um and

[1:32:02] so those are being shifted to to general fund,

[1:32:07] » but you're also removing general fund expenses as well. So I appreciate that

[1:32:12] very much. >> Um and you're budgeting health insurance

[1:32:16] because it's a different fund. Um and again, we go back to that other

[1:32:22] insurance for lit. What is what are your fees?

[1:32:24] » This is the one that pays all of our liabilities and stuff out of.

[1:32:26] » Okay. So, these are your legal fees. >> Well, yeah.

[1:32:29] » And liability and and such. >> A lot of our legal fees come out

[1:32:33] » legal. A lot of our legal fees come out of other services.

[1:32:36] » Okay. All right. And then um

[1:32:42] and and this I am asking mostly for my own

[1:32:47] understanding because your on page 13 of the June 30th um budget performance

[1:32:55] report. It has your fund 105 but then it goes down to fund 105 coit

[1:33:04] public safety. Is that is that because it's saying that you're overdrawn

[1:33:11] by that? According to June 30th, it says revenue totals are 16 1,630,649

[1:33:20] and expense totals are 2,22,354.

[1:33:25] And so, but it's not saying that. So, I'm just curious and maybe that's a

[1:33:29] discussion that we'll have later, but I just ran across it today and I wanted to

[1:33:32] tag it because I don't know that I understand the difference between and

[1:33:35] maybe that's a question for the controller. Uh, what is the difference

[1:33:39] between um fun 105 coit and expense

[1:33:47] and and lit any anyone? >> I can't answer that either. I know we

[1:33:52] have corporate cash available in our in our lit as of this afternoon. reach out

[1:33:57] and ask for. >> So I guess and and I'm going to ask I'm

[1:33:59] going throw it to Mr. Wright really quickly. Um is there a difference

[1:34:02] between what we're saying is co I mean why would they show why would fund 105

[1:34:08] show a negative balance for fire when we know that there is at least

[1:34:16] 164,000 in there. So that's that's a question maybe uh we

[1:34:22] can we can resolve. Thank you sir. I appreciate that. All right.

[1:34:26] » One of the things I do know reviewing these when we go through them is a lot

[1:34:30] of times that things are flip-flopped on there where it'll show it'll show that

[1:34:35] um it's a debit and a credit. They're actually backwards on a lot of our

[1:34:39] revenue streams when you read them. So sometimes when you see them in the

[1:34:42] brackets in there, you know, that's actually a revenue, but it shows up as a

[1:34:47] negative. And so that's possible. >> That's something we have to ask because

[1:34:50] it's like this does not make sense. I'm going to to shoot to the audience very

[1:34:55] quickly and this is an orthodox Mr. >> Chapen the coit comes from the county

[1:35:00] monthly we're budgeting yearly so our yearly budgets two million or whatever

[1:35:05] that the full amount if you look in June we've only got half you know we're not

[1:35:10] getting all >> makes sense yeah right okay he's solved

[1:35:13] the problem thank you sir you're off the hook Mr. Right.

[1:35:18] So, we'll continue on. Thank you. And uh so that was expires my question for the

[1:35:24] lit. Are there any other questions from the from the committee on my uh fire

[1:35:28] department public safety uh local income tax? And I do appreciate I know that you

[1:35:33] guys have worked hard to move things into your local income tax funds to free

[1:35:39] up money in the general fund. I know that it's you know it's it's a it's hard

[1:35:43] because you do have comprised one of the biggest budget but you're you really

[1:35:48] would love to see those general fund total you're you're like I think 34% of

[1:35:54] our general fund budget comes is from my fire and so and then police is another

[1:35:59] 40 some and so 75% of our general fund is is public safety and I understand and

[1:36:06] don't get me wrong I understand and that's something we all expect and

[1:36:09] that's one one of our big expenses and it will always be but anytime we can put

[1:36:14] elbows up and hopefully push some more money towards animal shelter and other

[1:36:19] departments to get paid off general fun and you've always worked with us on that

[1:36:21] and I appreciate >> sure like I said several years ago

[1:36:24] police and fire a lot higher percentage of

[1:36:27] » you know and so >> absolutely twothirds of our employees

[1:36:29] it's all work I mean we're still building our EMS program and we're

[1:36:33] working to try to get our stations updated I mean there's a lot going on so

[1:36:36] you know there there's a lot going on right now with fire department

[1:36:38] » and so We will go on to fire EMS and then we we see the end of the tunnel

[1:36:45] people. So um do you want to

[1:36:49] » absolutely we are going to take a fivem minute recess for the bathroom. You're

[1:36:54] welcome Mr.

[1:37:02] » All right. Putting you on timer, sir.

[1:37:07] 34. >> 34 of the old one. Thank you.

[1:37:12] » And so, uh, questions on that. >> Ambulance shift pay was zeroed out. What

[1:37:16] What is ambulance shift pay? >> Well, ambulance shift pay is

[1:37:19] contractual. The the firefighters that ride ambulances get paid based on their

[1:37:24] uh, EMS certification per day. Okay. >> Well, that was down in the in the 24

[1:37:28] part. We just shifted it up into the 21 um and then adjusted it for the the

[1:37:34] Medic 7, the addition of medic 7. >> Okay. And just since we're not the

[1:37:38] jargon, >> um 24 is what? And 27 is what?

[1:37:43] » Okay. Uh the 10421 is a firefighter line.

[1:37:47] » Okay. >> The 10424 is EMS.

[1:37:49] » EMS. Okay. So, within that one fund, there are two different offshoots. So,

[1:37:55] we're we're looking at at that. And then um and then so you almost deplete or or

[1:38:03] moved the two ones the two four whatever the firefighters was.

[1:38:09] » No, it it's actually >> I'm not I'm going to use words and not

[1:38:12] numbers on it because >> No, what we did was because we we

[1:38:16] brought down and put all the overtime there because that is the big unknown

[1:38:20] » and that's the one we always have to we always I mean in all reality we come

[1:38:24] back and ask. So that's why we put it here because when we come to ask you to

[1:38:29] appropriate money, we're asking you to appropriate money out of the EMS funds

[1:38:32] for that. >> Okay. And so um the am pay is not

[1:38:37] needed. It was a contractual thing you gave to firefighters who

[1:38:40] » Yeah. And EMS. >> It's in the 25 budget, but it was down

[1:38:44] on the EMS part. We moved it up here because the firefighters who get paid

[1:38:47] for that. So we just shifted that up there.

[1:38:49] » Okay. And shifted it from within the same fund, but the two different parts.

[1:38:53] » Correct. Thank you for y >> drawing that breadcrumb for me.

[1:38:58] » Uh building maintenance um building maintenance in the EMS is for

[1:39:04] again is it is it just their share of building maintenance for the different

[1:39:07] fire stations? >> Yeah. And and that was I mean that was

[1:39:11] put in there like that long before I came in. But what we did we shifted the

[1:39:15] other building maintenance out of 105 and put that into the 10424. So it's the

[1:39:19] same amount of money there. Again, we just kind of shelled some things, but it

[1:39:22] makes it easier for us so that when we do building repairs and stuff,

[1:39:26] » they come out of one line. >> And and again, these this is not DJ

[1:39:31] oversight. We're just asking for our own and any money that you know would would

[1:39:35] just go right back into these these accounts. So, it's not

[1:39:38] » it's mostly just a learning adventure here.

[1:39:40] » Yes, absolutely. >> Uh so, you're no longer paying

[1:39:43] firefighters out of EMS, but those weren't you using a positions before?

[1:39:47] Was that what we what you >> Yes, we were. Okay. And so those eight

[1:39:52] positions have been shifted to the general fund.

[1:39:56] » Yep. All salaries, all salaries went to the general fund.

[1:40:00] » Okay. And I'm sorry if >> we would have moved all the salaries

[1:40:03] down into one of the we would not have had enough funding to do that. That's

[1:40:06] why we put them into the general fund, but then removed several things from

[1:40:09] there to balance it. >> All right. And I I apologize if some of

[1:40:12] these are repeat questions. It's it's just the way I went through this. Um,

[1:40:15] and so because of the no firefighters out at the EMS, you've eliminated the

[1:40:19] holiday pay from EMS. That's why that did. And you added $553,683

[1:40:24] to overtime. >> Correct.

[1:40:26] » But that is because, and if I understand this correctly, you took on an entire

[1:40:31] department without adding any staff. >> And so there's naturally going to be

[1:40:36] overtime. That's something that we're never going to get away from.

[1:40:38] » Correct. When you have a firefighter who is an EMT riding an ambulance, you have

[1:40:44] to replace that person on fire suppression side. Correct. And if I'm

[1:40:48] wrong, >> yeah, I mean, technically we what we

[1:40:50] have is we have a minimum staffing for fire personnel every day.

[1:40:53] » And that's 33, correct? >> And that covers fire and the the

[1:40:58] firefighter portion of the ambulances other than the four um civilian medics

[1:41:03] that we staff daily. >> Okay. So, but is that I mean I know it's

[1:41:07] simplified for nonf fire staff, but so you have firefighters who cover an

[1:41:13] ambulance and then you have to replace them on fire suppression side

[1:41:17] » because you don't have someone who's you for that day you don't have someone

[1:41:20] who's used who's uh working both >> ambulance and fire truck. Correct.

[1:41:26] » They can't ride both pieces of correctly. And so that is where we're

[1:41:29] generating all this overtime because you've you've taken on an entire

[1:41:32] department without adding staff. >> Correct. But we have actually added some

[1:41:35] minimum staffing since the EMS service. >> You got a minimum staffing but not

[1:41:39] » but not actual extra >> personel. So what it's actually doing is

[1:41:42] generating by adding additional staffing per day. You actually increase the

[1:41:46] number of minimum manning shifts that would be required to meet those. Okay.

[1:41:51] So that's why we're seeing that and um and the overtime. I appreciate that

[1:41:56] you've moved a great chunk of that into EMS because that is

[1:42:00] » that Absolutely. >> program is what's generating a lot of

[1:42:03] that overtime. Correct. So, I do appreciate that as well.

[1:42:06] » And like I said, it get makes it easier for us when we come back like I will be

[1:42:11] in October coming to ask for more for additional overtime

[1:42:14] » when it's right there. It's the money that we have generated. We're not

[1:42:18] asking, you know, for an already strapped general fund, right,

[1:42:22] » to come up with that money. It's the same thing with purchasing our fire

[1:42:24] trucks and stuff as well. >> Well, and I know Councilman Mintosh and

[1:42:28] I uh early on in 2024 met with both you and Chief and and Chief Nindy about um

[1:42:35] because at that point in time before you'd hired this whole new

[1:42:39] » group, we were a lot of overtime early in the year. And

[1:42:44] so I I you we sat down and and and you talked through a plan. You were able to

[1:42:49] tell us how you were going to solve that problem. And I I appreciate that because

[1:42:53] » we we are down greatly from last year in our

[1:42:56] » times and I'm pleased to say that. But you know if if we can get and keep our

[1:43:01] staff, it won't be a work at that time. >> Well, and I and again with I appreciate

[1:43:06] you moving that into another fund from the general fund, which as we've all

[1:43:10] said. So fun office manager for EMS. What What is that?

[1:43:15] » That's the EMS office manager that was put in. And are they upstairs or

[1:43:20] » No, they're at station one with the EMS chief.

[1:43:22] » Okay. Okay. I just wasn't I wasn't familiar. And again, like I said, this

[1:43:26] is And then um 100% of your EMS equipment lease rental payments or um

[1:43:32] money has been spent. Is that something that it's a one year? It's one time

[1:43:38] deal. >> That's a January payment for the cardiac

[1:43:41] monitors. >> Okay. All right.

[1:43:45] » Yeah. If you look like through the budget performance report and you one of

[1:43:48] the things we do when we're figuring out our where we're how we're moving and

[1:43:52] taking things some light items go high first some go less and then we also have

[1:43:56] some dual items and multiple we try to keep the actual whole fund balanced. So

[1:44:01] if you look at where our whole fund is actually going also we're not just

[1:44:04] balancing the line items we're balancing out the fund for the year.

[1:44:09] » All right. Um, are there any questions for either chief about their EMS budget

[1:44:16] for 2026? >> Okay.

[1:44:19] » Sure. Absolutely. Council person Goian, >> um, the clothing pay went up a lot, too.

[1:44:24] Is that something else that you moved? >> We Yeah, we combined the three separate

[1:44:29] clothing line items and put them into one here in the water.

[1:44:33] » Okay. Like I said, moving forward, this is going to be so much easier for all of

[1:44:36] us when we're budgeting. You know, when you guys are reviewing it and also when

[1:44:39] the controllers's office are paying these, we have to I know you talk about

[1:44:44] sometimes it looks like we've added money into a line item. Well, we didn't.

[1:44:47] We actually went up and filed an amendment because people weren't they

[1:44:51] weren't paid correctly or that overtime fund was was becoming, you know,

[1:44:57] uh over spent, if you will. And so we did an amendment, you know, so it

[1:45:01] actually didn't we didn't really move money. We said we paid people out of the

[1:45:05] other fund, which then >> Well, but again,

[1:45:10] I hate to be a stickler. If you're moving money from one fund to another

[1:45:13] fund, it has to come through us. >> Well, but the way it was was told with

[1:45:18] us when we talked with, you know, state board of accounts and everything, we're

[1:45:20] not technically moving money. We're saying these people should not have been

[1:45:24] paid here. They should have been paid here. So now that's

[1:45:27] » So they're correcting an error. That's a whole other story. They were correcting

[1:45:30] an error if someone got paid out of the wrong fund. Yes. Putting that money back

[1:45:33] into the to the original fund and taking it out of the correct fund that

[1:45:36] » right like all of our ambulance shift pay had been paid

[1:45:41] » overtime. So we had to go through every member of the department and see where

[1:45:45] how much they had earned and we corrected that. So we wanted to get that

[1:45:49] done so that when we come forth and ask you know to correct our overtime we can

[1:45:54] do that. So >> Okay. And I appreciate that explanation.

[1:45:56] Was there something anyone else down here or down here?

[1:46:00] » Realigning all this prevents that in the future which is going to be great for

[1:46:04] all of us. >> All right. Um I appreciate your time and

[1:46:08] especially on a Friday night and so we are we are done. Thank you. And and I

[1:46:14] will uh entertain a motion to amend to adjurnn. So move second.

[1:46:19] » All right. Done.

Finance Committee Meeting September 5th 2025

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