05/11/98 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Session 1722, Budget Study Minutes May II, 1998 Ollendorff said that he would continue looking and appreciates any further suggestions by the Council. 10.11 PERSONNEL: This department includes a personnel director and one part-time secretary. It covers fringe benefits and support programs for City employees. 721.04 Medical, Dental and Surgical Services doubled because of the mandatory drug tests mandated by the Federal Government, except Fire and Police personnel. Responding to Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Ollendorff said that we have to have cause before we can require a drug test. Responding to Mr. Munkel's question regarding 724.07, Hospital & Medical, Mr. Ollendorff said that he was not sure why it was zero in the two years before, but it is for retirees that were eligible for a few years to have the city pay part of their Medicare. Mr. Norfleet said the reason why it was zero in the past two years is because no one was taking it then. Mr. Sharpe asked why the tuition budget was decreasing. Mr. Ollendorff said that this line item was in every department and each try to predict the tuition costs will be taken advantage of for the coming year. Ms. Colquitt asked about 729.03, Dues and Memberships. Mr. Ollendorff said that this was for the director of personnel's membership in the International Personnel Association and a membership in the local chapter. Mr. Munkel asked about 732.06 Food, and why it jumped up about $2,000. Mr. Ollendorff said that this was for the Employee's Holiday Dinner and he was not sure what the extra $2,000 was for. Mr. Norfleet thought that it might be for an employee's picnic that never was used. Mr. Wagner said that he felt that an equal employment opportunity statement should go on C-6 in the activity description. Mr. Ollendorff agreed. 10.12 ADMINISTRATION: On Page C-10, 721.03, Mr. Ollendorff stated that all legal charges and fees were lumped in this line item, but it should be $56,000 not $48,000. Last year, the $93,000 included many charges that were reimbursed to the City. 721.10 Miscellaneous Outside Personal Services, includes University City Residential Service (UCRS) for $57,000, Senior Service Board for $28,000 and Arts and Letters Commission for $1,200. The annual UCRS letter is requesting an extra $5,700 for the next year. Mr. Sharpe asked if the increase would effect the budget negatively. Mr. Ollendorff said that the contingency allocation was larger than usual this year, being $400,000, so we could afford the extra amount to UCRS. Mr. Lieberman asked if the Arts and Letters Commission had requested an increase to provide for extra activities in the coming year.