2004-05-12 Budget Study - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1920 May 12, 2004 amount paid to the County for mosquito abatement, and perhaps should have a better title. Employment classifications, jobs, equipment and supplies remain the same. Ms. Welsch asked about the figure for Education Benefits, and was advised that the figure is lower because there is less employee turnover; 728.05 are for training rather than for higher education tuition fees. The terms were questioned, and it was explained that these words are standard accounting vocabulary. Some travel allocation, it was noted, is used for education programs. There are no major changes in this section. Street Maintenance - The amount budgeted for over-time and for temporary workers for leaf collection has been reduced because the City changed to a "two-cycle" from a "three cycle" program, and because the schedule has a built-in delay factor, specifically for Thanksgiving week. A few thousand dollars was cut in 714.00 and 721.10. The major change occurs on C-44 under Capital Outlay: each line item here has been cut, because next year's part of the total allocation only, is shown. It is not really a cut; this is the local share. Curb, Sidewalk and Street construction included contingency figures; now the budget shows only the exact amounts, without contingency. IDA, TIF, and LCRA can be approached for funds for streets, only to provide the local share in respect of the Olive Boulevard Enhancement Program; only for specific projects within the jurisdiction of the given agency. Former budgets would have registered those amounts in this section; now they are shown in the IDA, TIF, and LCRA budgets. Mr. Wagner said the early December leaf pick-up is a big one, so it is necessary to have the "free bag" pick-up available through the month of December. The City Manager said the first two weeks and the final week have been eliminated from the cycles. The City Manager will make sure that citizens know stickers will not be needed on bags for November and December. The money allocated is for repairs, not for completed repair jobs. The budgeted figure under discussion is for existing streets, curbs and sidewalks, not for completely new jobs. Discussion of the "patch-job" as opposed to a "new-job" followed, and the need for contingency funds was expressed. On page C-45 line item 711-10 reflects that one employee spends .84 percent of his time on one job, charged here, and then shows the remaining .12 per cent is charged to another department. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT - 26.40 In order to provide timely service, it is necessary to add two additional positions: one full-time inspector and one full-time clerk typist. The City cannot afford this, so part-time positions have been budgeted for peak times, reflected in the $25,000 amount shown here. Changes to improve the system include: occupancy permits will be available by mail or by telephone; on-line applications will become available; improved telephone Page 2