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<br />Ms. Watson stated this was the year-end revenue and expenditure report for FY 09. She <br />stated that this was a huge year of change in the Finance department. Ms. Watson said <br />they implemented portions of the finance system, the first part went live in June. She stated <br />that it proved quite a challenge converting the old data, in Cobalt, to the new system. Ms. <br />Watson stated that she also had a thirty-five year employee retire who did the majority of the <br />accounting for the City. There is a new person in the position but this is all new and we are <br />a complex organization. She stated that this is just a draft of year end expenditures and <br />revenues at this time, as they are about nine-eight percent complete for the year end. The <br />areas that are not complete were grants, CALOP and business license information. Ms. <br />Watson noted that the interest category in miscellaneous, in the new system was a new line <br />category that was formed for just interest. She included those numbers in tonight’s report. <br />Ms. Watson said of the nine-seven percent of revenues received, sales tax was down about <br />five and one-half percent from the original budget. At mid-year amendment was made to <br />reduce that revenue but it came in even less. Also revenue related are intergovernmental <br />inspections: fees and interest were down for the year. Other areas that were up for the <br />year were gross receipts from utility taxes, ambulance fees and parking fees. Ms. Watson <br />noted that we introduced a more consistent collection program and are getting ready to <br />implement the new parking ticket system. She stated that in expenditures almost all items <br />came in under budget but the only item that was over budget was the legal services in <br />administration. Those were related to various attorneys used, most significantly Mr. <br />Mulligan whose fees have been consistent from year to year and the personnel attorney for <br />claims filed against the City relating to the lay-offs. The Police Department was down for <br />the year relating to vacancies. <br /> <br />Ms. Ricci stated that the City’s police budget, as of May 2008, was 7.7 million dollars and <br />now it is at 6.8 million dollars and she is concerned when her top priority is safety. She <br />wanted to know if we had the coverage to insure its citizens. Ms. Ricci is really concern to <br />find out Friday that there is another one-half million dollar difference since May. Ms. Feier <br />interjected that this is what she has been saying, in that the problem we are having now with <br />vacancies in the police department was her concern about what our benefits and <br />compensations are in order to recruit and retain the very best and things that have been out <br />there, have been hurting us in doing that. She stated that we started the year with the goal <br />of staffing full and the estimate would assume that we would get people on as quickly as <br />possible. Unfortunately that was not something we were able to do in the current economic <br />and political climate. She believes that we do need to get to full staff but it does not change <br />the budget amendment. We budgeted for full capacity and if not, the money has to be <br />accounted for. Ms. Ricci asked the City Manager for a study session, to included Chief <br />Adams to discuss specifically and only about police. Ms. Ricci stated she was still <br />challenged by not finding out till Friday about the one-half million dollars. She said savings <br />is always good but at what expense. She stated that she is looking forward to the October <br />19 meeting so we can discuss and understand before we start without a due picture and <br />start voting on things. Ms. Watson stated all that is being asked, is to do a few budget <br />amendments tonight. <br /> <br />Mr. Price stated he has been on Council for almost twelve years. He admitted the first eight <br />years the budget transfers look nothing like what we receive today. He stated that he could <br />not hold Ms. Watson accountable to the Colbalt/Fortran era but can hold her accountable for <br />the new system started a year ago. He stated he understood budget transfers and did not <br />need to review them. Mr. Price said he believed we need a session with the Police Chief <br />but he does not need one as he has been talking to him for a month straight, so he is <br /> <br /> <br />