2004-05-10 Budget Study - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Session 1919 May 10, 2004 COMMENTS ON EXPENDITURES Administrative Services- 1010 Leqislative Services There is one change in the City Council Budget: half of full-time salary is charged to the City Clerk's Office and half to the new IT budget. In each department budget, the existing pay classification plan has been budgeted for a cost of living increase of 2.5 per cent for every wage level. The rate of inflation varies from 2.3 per cent to 2.9 per cent, through March, less than for the Midwest and higher than the national rate. Complete report on all wage levels for all classifications will be discussed in executive session to discuss separate treatment of several classifications of employees who deserve more than the 2.5 per cent increase. Councilmember Welsch asked about the amount set aside for travel and if the Council was adhering to this amount, and what line item 729.03, dues and memberships, paid for. She was advised that Councilmembers belong to some 15 organizations and the figure represents the amounts memberships cost. Ms. Welsch wants to add RCGA and the Urban Land Institute to these memberships. It was pointed out that fees relating economic development can be charged to TIF or IDA rather than coming from the General Fund. The Council needs to decide if they want to secure memberships in these organizations. Line item 722.06 relates to travel expenses, and it was asked what formula was used for developing this figure? This year's total amount is 12 percent above last year's. Councilmember Wagner pointed out that the amount was egregiously over-spent. Adams said the figure includes City Clerk's travel expenses. Mr. Wagner said the travel amount expands every year because the City Council does not practice self-control where travel expenses are concerned; with a few members of the Council using the majority of the amount budgeted, year after year. It was suggested that each member receive a specific travel allotment, to avoid inequitable use of the travel budget, to be discussed again at a future study session. The travel budget is indexed to the City budget, but the rule governing its amount and use is never adhered to. One councilmember suggested that the amount be one per cent of the City budget, and another wanted it at one-tenth of one per cent, so a compromise needs to be reached. Line item 721.10 for $21,000 should be $25,000 dollars. It is $4,000 over because these funds were formerly used to pay for contract services, now performed internally and shown on the Information Technology budget. Page 5