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1. 1Call to Order - Roll Call▶ 0:00
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   Review of Proposed FY18 Department Budgets

   discussed

   City staff presented an initial review of the proposed FY18 city budget across multiple departments. The citywide budget totals $57,564,110 with a general fund of $21,448,550 and proposed millage of 8.9950. Department heads (HR, Development, City Manager, City Council, City Clerk, Administrative Services, Fire) walked through their individual budget changes; no formal action was taken as this was the first of multiple work sessions.

   • direction:Council directed the city attorney to review the city clerk portion of the charter/ordinance to ensure compliance given the reduction to a 0.25 FTE position. (none)
   • direction:Council asked Ms. Manns to highlight specific permitting/development department service improvements before the final budget. (none)

   🏢Adobe🏢International City Managers Association (ICMA)🏢World Risk Management🏢Zoll👤Bernie👤Councilman Davis👤Councilman Phillips👤Councilwoman DeBello-Thomas👤Crystal Feist👤Debbie Manns👤Judy Myers👤Lisa Fierce👤Mr. Allen👤Susan Dillinger👤Tim Driscoll#Allen settlement agreement#Community Development Block Grant#Employee Suggestion and Award Program#FY18 Budget#General Fund#Marine District#Millage rate 8.9950#Residential Rental Inspection Program#Strategic Plan facilitator

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   [00:00:18] Here. [00:00:19] This is going to be the first of at least two work sessions to do an initial review [00:00:21] of the budget for the benefit of the members of the public or member of the public in the [00:00:29] audience tonight. [00:00:30] We will ask for public comment before we're done. [00:00:35] So with that, Ms. Manz? [00:00:37] Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council, it's my pleasure to present to you for your review [00:00:41] and consideration the financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year. [00:00:46] Our budget is formulated based on input from you, residents, and various members of the [00:00:52] city staff. [00:00:54] The input assists us in prioritizing and directing resources towards the programs, [00:01:01] projects, and activities that have the greatest potential for helping us to successfully complete [00:01:07] our goals. [00:01:09] Our municipal budget, as presented this year, provides sufficient funding to ensure that [00:01:14] essential city services will be maintained at current operational levels. [00:01:20] Additionally, a conscientious effort has been made to provide for continued reinvestment [00:01:26] in the city's extensive infrastructure, facilities, vehicle, and equipment inventories. [00:01:34] Before we get started on the specifics, I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation to [00:01:39] our finance director and her staff, as well as the department heads who are largely responsible [00:01:45] for the preparation and development of the budget document. [00:01:49] Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to the City Council for their direction and commitment [00:01:55] to the community. [00:01:58] Mrs. Feast has prepared a PowerPoint presentation, which we will use to introduce further to [00:02:08] you the fiscal year 18 budget. [00:02:11] Some of the assumptions that we have made are important for me to note to you at this [00:02:19] time. [00:02:21] The taxable value of all properties in the city increased by 1.79%. [00:02:27] The millage that we are proposing to you is 8.9950, and the size of the general fund budget [00:02:35] is $21,448,550. [00:02:41] Mrs. Feast will begin with the formal presentation, and then I have arranged for various departments [00:02:51] to present to you their budget requests. [00:02:54] Mrs. Feast? [00:02:56] Good evening. [00:03:00] Before each department presents on their individual budget, I wanted to just give you a quick [00:03:05] summary of the overall budget and the proposed budget that you have before you. [00:03:16] The budget will be covered in its entirety over the course of a few work sessions. [00:03:22] So this PowerPoint will provide, like I said, a quick summary, and each department will [00:03:28] go into detail on their individual budgets. [00:03:33] The citywide budget totals $57,564,110. [00:03:40] You'll see that the general fund and water and sewer fund make up the majority of the [00:03:44] budget at 37 and 28% respectively. [00:03:50] Next in line is the capital improvement fund at 15%. [00:04:01] The general fund revenue totals $21,525,700. [00:04:12] Total expenditures, including department budgets, reserves, and transfers out, totals $19,452,790. [00:04:28] With additional miscellaneous expenditures, our total expenditures does exceed total revenue [00:04:35] sources. [00:04:37] So as part of the proposed budget, we are proposing a use of prior carryover of $990,670. [00:04:49] Once we finalize our audit, we will be able to finalize this number. [00:04:55] So the number you see before you is based on an estimate of where we are currently with [00:05:00] the audit. [00:05:02] And we feel pretty confident that the number is accurate. [00:05:13] This slide just provides a pie chart of general fund revenues and the revenue sources that [00:05:19] make up those revenues. [00:05:23] Property taxes compose 21% of the total revenues, with other taxes making up 10%. [00:05:39] Licenses and permits make up 8% of our general fund revenue sources. [00:05:45] With intergovernmental revenue, which includes grants and other state funding, make up 12%. [00:05:53] Budgets for services fall in at 5%, with fines and forfeitures totaling 12% of our [00:06:02] general fund revenue sources. [00:06:07] You'll see that we also have transfers in and prior carryover budgeted in to make up [00:06:14] the total of the $21,525,070. [00:06:21] This slide provides the expenditures, or the use of those general fund revenue sources. [00:06:29] You'll see that police, fire, and public works do make up the majority of our expenditures [00:06:38] for the year. [00:06:40] Police coming in at 35.6%, fire at 12.8%, and public works at 11.2%. [00:06:47] In total, this column would equal the $21,525,070. [00:06:59] I also wanted to point out that we are proposing a few new positions as part of the budget. [00:07:06] In recreation, we're proposing two part-time child watch positions, and in public works, [00:07:13] two seasonal positions, one part-time administrative assistant, and one full-time utilities mechanic [00:07:18] one. [00:07:25] At this point, we will allow our department heads to present their proposed budgets to [00:07:31] you directly, first starting with human resources development. [00:07:36] Next, the city manager will present city manager's budget, city council, city clerk, [00:07:43] and assistant to the city manager, followed by fire, and finally technology solutions. [00:07:54] With that, Bernie, if you could represent the human resources budget. [00:07:59] Good morning. [00:08:00] Good morning. [00:08:01] It's been a day. [00:08:02] Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of city council. [00:08:06] Tonight, I will be presenting the human resources budget. [00:08:09] The mission of the human resources division is to support the respective departments of [00:08:14] the city by providing assistance in developing a work environment geared to enhance job satisfaction, [00:08:22] and in doing so, ensuring the services delivered to our internal and external customers are [00:08:28] done so in a high-quality fashion. [00:08:31] First I'd like to start off with account number 3111, which is labor attorney services. [00:08:39] This line item has been decreased slightly from $14,500 to $11,900 due to ongoing fire [00:08:49] union negotiations. [00:08:50] Bernie, I'm sorry. [00:08:51] Can you reference what page on this page? [00:08:52] 17. [00:08:53] Thank you. [00:08:54] I'm sorry. [00:08:55] Page 17. [00:08:56] Thank you. [00:08:57] Next, under professional services miscellaneous, which is 3199, this account is mainly used [00:09:09] for pre-employment, drug, and criminal background screenings. [00:09:14] The average cost spent in this account is $9,000. [00:09:17] Therefore, I'm requesting to have this account stay at the current $10,000 budgeted. [00:09:27] 4915 is classified advertising. [00:09:32] At this point in the fiscal year, $2,500 has been billed to this account, and with advertising [00:09:38] costs continuing to rise, staff is asking for $5,000 in this account. [00:09:47] Next under account 3413, employee service, I'm sorry, employee support program. [00:09:54] This account is, I'm asking for this account to be increased by $2,000 to launch the employee [00:10:00] suggestion and award program. [00:10:06] The next increases you will see are in accounts 4511, 4521, 4522, and 4523. [00:10:18] These are the city's liability insurance, building and contents, pollution, and automobile [00:10:24] insurance. [00:10:25] I have spoken to the representative at World Risk Management and was told to expect a 5% [00:10:32] increase per policy. [00:10:33] This has been taken into consideration and budgeted accordingly. [00:10:37] Lastly, the city manager and I are in discussions with the city's health insurance company representatives, [00:10:46] and due to a favorable group experience, we expect to see only a minimal increase in [00:10:52] this year's health insurance rates. [00:10:56] This concludes my presentation. [00:10:57] I'll be happy to answer any questions. [00:10:59] Do we have any questions? [00:11:01] Just a quick question about the... [00:11:02] Sorry. [00:11:03] Go ahead. [00:11:04] Please. [00:11:05] So the employee support program, what is, can you elaborate on that a little bit? [00:11:09] The employee support program? [00:11:12] I think what Councilwoman DeBello-Thomas is referring to is the employee suggestion [00:11:19] and award board program, which, with your approval, we would like to launch in conjunction [00:11:26] with the next fiscal year. [00:11:28] In short, it's a program where employees can submit suggestions that will result in savings [00:11:35] to the city in either time, resources, or money, and they can be rewarded for suggestions [00:11:43] that are put in place and determined to be a benefit to the city. [00:11:48] Any other questions? [00:11:51] Thank you. [00:11:53] Thank you. [00:11:55] Thank you, Bernie. [00:11:57] Next up is Mrs. Fierce with the Development Department. [00:12:00] Thank you, Ms. Manns. [00:12:03] I just really wanted to go over the highlights of the differences between the current budget [00:12:08] and the proposed budget, and there really are not that many. [00:12:11] Which page is this? [00:12:13] 95. [00:12:14] Thank you. [00:12:15] Under the personnel services portion of the budget, there's a reduction in the regular [00:12:31] full-time wages due to moving the residential rental inspector to the fire department. [00:12:38] So you'll see a decrease in the overall wages for that portion of the budget. [00:12:48] Just below that, you'll see part-time wages, and we're going to remove the term firefighter [00:12:53] out of that classification. [00:12:56] There is an increase in that. [00:12:58] There's actually use of that account because we've taken on a part-time receptionist for [00:13:04] the front reception area. [00:13:08] So with juggling around some personnel, we've reduced the personnel costs. [00:13:16] In looking at the total operating budget, there are changes in regards to professional [00:13:23] services for planning, a reduction of about $15,000. [00:13:29] There's a slight increase in the housing incentives funded by the Community Development Block [00:13:35] Grant by $8,000, and that represents an overall reduction in operating. [00:13:43] Lisa, I'm so sorry. [00:13:47] Bernie spoiled me. [00:13:48] She was itemizing those as by numbers. [00:13:51] Do you have those same? [00:13:52] Sure. [00:13:54] Do you want me to go back to personnel, or do you want operating? [00:13:56] Yeah, operating. [00:13:57] Okay. [00:13:58] So operating, the reductions would be in the account number 3181, professional services [00:14:07] planning. [00:14:08] There's a $15,000 reduction from current year to proposed year. [00:14:13] And then in account 4952, that's the housing incentives that are funded by the Community [00:14:21] Development Block Grant, and we have a slight increase in that by $8,000 and some change. [00:14:29] So overall, it shows a reduction in overall operating expenditures. [00:14:36] And then under capital, we have requested some funds under 6411, which is office furniture. [00:14:47] We've requested just a little bit of money so we can refurnish our lobby chairs and tables, [00:14:54] and we're including the finance department in that expenditure as well. [00:14:57] We think we can get all new chairs for [00:15:00] both lobby areas with that funding, and then we're looking to improve some software that we have so we're able to read some electronic files. [00:15:11] So we need some more sophisticated Adobe software, and that would be the 6418 software expenditure. [00:15:19] Those are the highlights of the changes in the Development Department's budget, and as Ms. Feist mentioned, we represent a little under 4.5% of your overall budget. [00:15:31] Any other questions? [00:15:33] Yeah, just one, Mr. Mayor. [00:15:35] Yes, sir. [00:15:36] With regards to your contractual services, 3499, I thought we were out for some additional contracting services to deal with our permitting elements, as well as, obviously, we've seen an uptick in development. [00:15:58] If we get favorable news from our Economic Development Director at some point in next year, wouldn't it be prudent to, or are you going to use contingency money, Ms. Manns? [00:16:12] I'm sorry, I don't understand the question yet. Could you please repeat it? [00:16:17] Sure, I can back up. We obviously, you were going through your, last year I thought we were going through some contractual services to deal with our permitting process. [00:16:30] And one of the major things that we hear on a collective basis, good, bad, or indifferent, is the relationship that our customers have when they come into development or for projects. [00:16:46] So one is the contractual services that we need to expedite or to improve that level of service. [00:16:55] I'm just anticipating that we've had an uptick in the number of businesses that are coming in, different services are being asked for. [00:17:07] And if we happen to see an uptick with, as I said, some positive news from the Marine District, are we going to fund any additional costs out of your contingency budget? [00:17:21] Or would it be prudent for us to at least have dollars in this account to deal with what may come with those positive steps forward? [00:17:32] Is that better? Is it clear? [00:17:35] Yes, sir. Mr. Councilman, I understand the question. And I believe that we have budgeted appropriately to cover for improvements in the permitting process. [00:17:49] And we are going to fund the services through the development services budget, not out of contingency. [00:17:59] Before we go to final budget, would you be able to highlight what some of those additional improvements are going to be in the development department as it relates to processing and interaction with the public? [00:18:16] I just want to make sure that we can talk effectively to our constituents that in this budget we are allocating funds so that we can further enhance that department. That's the best way I can put it right now. [00:18:32] Yeah, that's helpful to me, Councilman Phillips, and I can make sure that we do that before we get to final budget. [00:18:39] Thank you. [00:18:40] Thank you. Any others? Next. [00:18:46] The next budget that will be presented to you is the city manager's budget. [00:18:52] You could point us to the page number. [00:18:59] Nine. [00:19:00] Thank you. [00:19:17] Thank you. [00:19:18] The expenditures in the staff section of the city manager's budget are pretty much consistent with the spending that has been budgeted in previous fiscal years. [00:19:41] There is an operational expenditures, an increase in travel and training that is due to the fact that the International City Managers Association conference is scheduled in October this year rather than in September as it typically is. [00:20:05] So the amount being requested of you will actually cover my attendance at two ICMA conferences, one in October of 17, a second in September of 18. [00:20:20] All of the other operational expenses, with the exception of operating supplies, are being proposed at their current level. Operating supplies we were able to reduce by $500. [00:20:39] And I don't, if you don't have any other questions or any questions at all for me on that budget, I'll move on to the city council budget. [00:20:51] Questions? Go ahead. [00:20:57] And I'm afraid I don't have the pages in front of me so I'm going to rely on some help. [00:21:02] Number 10. [00:21:03] Number 10. [00:21:04] Thank you. [00:21:06] The city council budget as it relates to wages remains the same. [00:21:15] The professional services budget has been reduced from $10,000 to $5,000 in large part due to the fact that we're not seeing a lot of spending in that funding category. [00:21:32] We've also reduced just marginally 51-11, which is office supplies, and computer operating supplies since we all are operating on the iPads at this time. [00:21:51] The expenditures for the total budget year, fiscal year 17-18, are $313,900. [00:22:00] Are there any questions on the city council budget? [00:22:03] With regards to the settlement agreement, I was under the impression that that was close to being concluded. [00:22:12] I thought that the settlement agreement was for the river property, and I'm just trying to make sure I understand when that obligation is completed. [00:22:25] I thought it was a three-year situation. [00:22:28] I thought we dealt with it in 12, so I thought it would be going away unless this is something else besides the... [00:22:37] No, this is the Allen agreement, and you're referencing 99-95, and this is the final year of the payment. [00:22:47] Again, I want to give kudos to our interim city manager at the time, Susan Dillinger, for the favorable settlement that she got for Mr. Allen, [00:23:03] because our exposure could have been quite a bit more than what we achieved. [00:23:12] The only other question I have is regarding the city attorney services fee. [00:23:16] Obviously, I know when we had BMO and we had other things going on in 14-15 as it related to, I believe, pension negotiations. [00:23:29] Is this a set retainer again? I'm trying to remember the contract. [00:23:34] The city attorney services that are included in your budget is the amount paid to Tim Driscoll annually, [00:23:47] and it's based on him working a minimum of 16 hours per week. [00:23:52] I could just ask a question, ma'am. The professional services that was reduced to $5,000, what would a typical... [00:24:03] One of the expenditures that we paid for out of professional services miscellaneous for you would be bringing in a facilitator [00:24:21] as we did with the strategic plan. [00:24:32] Seeing no questions, if it meets with your approval, I'll move on to the city clerk's budget. [00:24:38] Since last year, a good number of changes have evolved as it relates to what was previously a full-time position. [00:24:56] At one point, I thought that it might be more appropriately held by a part-time person rather than a full-time person. [00:25:09] Once Judy Myers tried her hand at it, we found that she could do all of the city clerk responsibilities in one quarter of a full-time position. [00:25:23] There has been a considerable savings in division head salaries as we're only programming that position as a .25. [00:25:33] The other personnel-related expenses are reduced also as a result of that change. [00:25:46] The operational expenses that we are requesting your consideration of relate to 4011 travel and training. [00:25:56] We are requesting an appropriation in the amount of $2,000, which is nearly double last year's amount, [00:26:04] but will allow our city clerk to go forward and obtain her municipal clerk credentials. [00:26:15] We have bumped up office supplies by $400, and that's 5111, and we have reduced dues and memberships by $500. [00:26:30] Last year's budget was in the amount of $101,752, and this year's proposed budget is $73,800. [00:26:45] Can you just check this against the charter to make sure that we're not in violation of any charter elements? [00:26:54] I don't have it in front of me. [00:26:56] Obviously, there's specific departments and specific items within the charter that are, as I said, in the charter, [00:27:04] so I just want to make sure that we're not skirting the edges of that, so I just want confirmation. [00:27:11] I can assure you that we're not, but I'd be glad to ask the city attorney to review the city clerk's part of the ordinance if that's your direction. [00:27:22] It's mine. [00:27:23] I don't know if anybody else gives it, but I am. [00:27:25] It wouldn't hurt to just verify. [00:27:28] Okay. [00:27:30] The office supplies increased because I've been eating snicker bars. [00:27:33] Yes, sir, they have. [00:27:35] I eat a lot of snickers, so I figure they've got trouble. [00:27:38] In all fairness, Councilman Davis, I've helped. [00:27:42] Okay. [00:27:43] Well, if you're going to be getting snicker bars, then you need to be getting dark chocolate Milky Ways. [00:27:48] Under the dues membership that you reduced it by $500, is there something in particular that we eliminated as a result of the city clerk's position [00:27:57] or just things in general? [00:27:59] We just haven't been spending as much in that funding category as what we've programmed into the budget, [00:28:08] so we thought it was a nice place to knock it down a couple of dollars. [00:28:19] The last presentation that I have for you relates to administrative services [00:28:27] and the position which you funded last year for the assistant to the city manager. [00:28:34] Page 29. [00:28:36] Thank you, Crystal. [00:28:38] The only adjustments in the personnel portion of the expenditures relate to increases in Social Security, [00:29:01] the Florida Retirement System, FRS, and we probably should have mentioned it earlier, [00:29:08] but we did predict some increases in health insurance. [00:29:13] If I remember correctly, we budgeted for 10% increases in health care. [00:29:19] It's looking, though, our number will come in a lot closer to five, [00:29:25] so we will have some amendments for you once that final number has been solidified. [00:29:36] In the personnel services operating category, we've requested a $500 increase in travel and training, [00:29:53] and to cover those things, we decreased. [00:30:00] $47.99 printing and binding, $51.11 office supplies, $52.31 clothing, $52.43 computer [00:30:11] and operating supplies, and $54.11 dues and memberships is also up a little bit. [00:30:20] I have found this to be a vital position and I'm asking your consideration to fund it for [00:30:29] another year. Are there any questions related to the administrative services presentation? [00:30:38] No. Okay. With that, we move on to the fire department. [00:30:45] Okay. Thank you. What page, Crystal? [00:30:50] Page 79. Thank you. [00:30:56] Start off with the fire supervision division. Our budget has stayed consistent from previous [00:31:04] years as well. I will go over some highlights and some changes. [00:31:10] If you go down to item number 12-99, you will see an increase from $32,000 to $66,000. [00:31:22] That is for the addition of our full-time residential rental inspector administrative [00:31:28] assistant. And 13-11, you see that we eliminated the part-time wages. [00:31:39] So in actuality, what happened there was we had a part-time position and we took the part-time [00:31:47] position and assigned it to serve as the receptionist and took the receptionist, who [00:31:53] was full-time, up into the fire department to provide the support services related to [00:32:00] the administration of the rental inspection program. [00:32:05] Okay. If we move down from there to 21-11, 22-11, 23-12, 23-13, and 24-26 are all increased [00:32:21] due to that full-time position. 22-13, the pension fund went up and we get those numbers [00:32:32] from the actuary. Now we're down into operating expenditures. [00:32:41] 34-99, contractual services went up, and that is due to the compensate for our new reporting [00:32:49] software annual support. We had to go to a new reporting software, which is called Zol, [00:32:56] because our previous software went out of the EMS side of reporting. So as you know, [00:33:05] we are a paramedic firefighter fire department, so we have to have that EMS portion of our [00:33:11] reporting system for state requirements. 40-11, travel training, we're asking for a $1,000 [00:33:21] increase there due to bringing in the new assistant chief fire marshal and myself for [00:33:29] some additional training opportunities that could come our way. [00:33:35] Data lines, 41-34, there's a slight increase, and that's due to the MiFi units, which are [00:33:42] in all of our fire trucks, and those are to keep all of our trucks connected to the internet, [00:33:49] which we have to have for our CAD system. Postage, we went up $200, and that's because [00:33:56] now we are mailing out inspection notices before we do building inspections. And hopefully [00:34:03] in the future once we do that, one year, we hope to go totally email, so that will reduce [00:34:11] that increase. Down to 46-23, we eliminated that because we started to rent a copy machine [00:34:22] now, so that was a decrease. Computer operating supply, we're asking for a slight increase [00:34:29] there to replace a computer next year. Dues and memberships, we're asking for a $300 increase [00:34:40] for the different fire service memberships that are out there that we subscribe to every [00:34:46] year that just keep going up. And 64-18, you see a reduction from $19,500 to $7,000, and [00:35:04] that $7,000 is, we're bullet-pointing that for the purchase of a pre-planned software [00:35:14] to be installed alongside of our new Zole software and CAD system. Now we're moving [00:35:21] on to... [00:35:22] Can you answer me a question? You mentioned 41-34 with the data lines, and that you have [00:35:28] to be internet connected. [00:35:30] Correct. [00:35:31] Can you explain to me what the CAD system does while you're in your trucks? Because [00:35:37] obviously, we're five square miles. I'm trying to understand what the usage is and what liability [00:35:47] it protects us from, I guess, is the question. [00:35:50] CAD stands for computer-aided dispatch, and it starts out with the 911 center when they [00:35:55] dispatch a call. All the police vehicles and fire vehicles are dispatched through CAD. [00:36:02] So on the receiving end of CAD and all of the police cars and fire trucks, we have a [00:36:06] computer monitor that those calls are received with the dispatched address and any pertinent [00:36:13] information that we need to know while we are responding to that call. So if we lose [00:36:19] internet capabilities, then we will lose that information that's pertinent to that responding [00:36:26] call. [00:36:27] I appreciate that, because people think CAD stands for something else. So just wanted [00:36:33] to make sure that I understood what it was. Thank you. [00:36:37] Can I just insert a question, and I'm not sure if this is within the realm of reality [00:36:41] or not, but is it possible going forward, I know you mentioned that there's an increase [00:36:46] in postage. Might there be a way for us to coordinate those kinds of inspections to notify [00:36:52] our residents on their water bill, for instance? Like, you know, coordinate that with the time [00:36:58] of the year that their fire inspection is due, that it's water, or there's not a correlation [00:37:03] because maybe the fire inspections are not with customers? [00:37:06] The water bills would include residential as well, and we're only doing fire inspections [00:37:11] on commercial properties. [00:37:15] We do send letters in advance to the commercial property owners, advising them of an upcoming [00:37:23] inspection, and we do allow them to schedule inspections as well. [00:37:27] I know your cost and your training had to do with EMT and fire. Is there any conversations, [00:37:35] is there any interaction? Because obviously, at the moment, we're not allowed to provide [00:37:40] ambulance service, but there are private ambulance services that are in our city that [00:37:46] are providing that service. We show up, and we're on site. We have to respond because [00:37:53] we usually run up and down Main Street on a regular basis. I remember the numbers that [00:37:58] Ms. Mann cordially gave me last year. It was like 1,200 calls on 19, and then there was [00:38:09] another 200 on the west of 19. I'm trying to figure out how we become a little more [00:38:18] self-sufficient instead of waiting on Pasco County because they get bigger every year, [00:38:25] and it appears that their levels of service or where they're providing their service is, [00:38:32] in my mind, might be a challenge in a couple of years because, I don't know, many of you [00:38:37] don't travel on State Road 54 out past Trinity now, but that area is expanding every day, [00:38:46] so I didn't know with the new administrator or whatever if there wouldn't be a conversation [00:38:50] about our domain because, obviously, it's a profit center because every time the ambulance [00:38:57] runs, or at least every time they run or Medfleet runs when they pick up my mom at the assisted [00:39:02] care, I get some kind of wacky bill that I've got to negotiate with. If that would [00:39:10] also correspond to a higher level of service within the confines of our city limits, I [00:39:21] don't want to miss that opportunity to at least ask the question, so that's the reason [00:39:26] I pose it. [00:39:27] That's definitely a conversation that we have had, and I anticipate having more conversations [00:39:32] along that line in the future. [00:39:37] We're moving on to page 85, firefighting budget, and again, this budget stayed very consistent [00:39:47] with previous years with a few changes. 13-14, the part-time firefighter wages, we put that, [00:39:55] we dropped that number down, doing an average of what we've actually used in years past, [00:40:04] so that should be more accurate than last year's number. [00:40:10] Move down to 14-13, overtime residential rental inspection, we're anticipating $75,000 in [00:40:18] that line item, which will be two inspectors daily. [00:40:23] Down to 22-13, again, there was a slight increase on the pension fund, and that number is from [00:40:32] the actuary. [00:40:35] Down to 46-49, maintenance and repair radio equipment. We had $3,000 earmarked for this [00:40:45] year because countywide, we're getting all new radios, which we get our handheld radios [00:40:53] next week, so there are some accessories for those radios that we would like to purchase. [00:40:59] For example, earbuds for our handheld radios if we're at an event at Sims Park and there's [00:41:05] a loud band playing, different accessories along those lines. [00:41:11] And then once we purchase those, we should have a need, so that number was eliminated. [00:41:18] Fuel increased from 34-44, and that is because the residential rental fuel usage got included [00:41:27] in that line item. [00:41:30] Chemicals 52-21 was eliminated. We are now purchasing that through Public Works. [00:41:38] Firefighter gear, we went down from $8,500 to $7,000. We're anticipating ordering one [00:41:45] less set of gear. [00:41:49] Clothing auxiliary, that went from $900 to $0. That was for the part-time firefighters. [00:41:56] We are now going to take that part-time firefighter gear out of, or clothing, I'm sorry, out of [00:42:01] the regular line item for the full-time firefighters. [00:42:05] Operating residential rental inspection, $3,000. That's a new item, obviously. [00:42:13] Computer operating supplies, $200 additional. Again, we would hopefully like to purchase [00:42:21] another computer in one of the fire stations. [00:42:25] And that is all of the changes that I have highlighted. [00:42:31] Can I answer any questions? [00:42:35] Mr. Mayor, I see you've got projected out to replace Ladder Truck 1 in 18-19. That dovetails [00:42:47] into whatever the improvements are for the fire department when it comes to physical [00:42:52] plant. [00:42:53] Two questions. One, do you think we'll ever, in the next 12 months, come to some understanding [00:43:01] on what the actual levels of service needs are so that we can move that project along? [00:43:09] That's obviously dovetails into a lot of other things we're doing in our capital improvement [00:43:14] plan. [00:43:16] That's question one. [00:43:18] Question two is, is there a truck unit or some type of a piece of equipment that is [00:43:29] out there that would serve better or as good as not running our large fire truck up and [00:43:40] down Main Street to get the calls on 19? [00:43:48] To me, it's an operational thing, and I just wonder what else there is out there that's [00:43:56] new and improved that might allow better response or better availability on 19, because [00:44:05] I can only imagine when you run the big truck out there, you become a pretty good target [00:44:10] trying to stop traffic and everything else, because Robert ended up having to buy these [00:44:14] big bumpers for our water truck to take the medians because we were worried about people [00:44:19] running in the back of our water trucks. [00:44:20] It's a poor example, but I'm just trying to understand if there's a better way of not [00:44:27] utilizing our major trucks except for fire response. [00:44:32] Maybe that's something you don't look at this year. [00:44:34] I know it's a multiple layer question, but if I don't ask it now in open session, I don't [00:44:40] try to do it. [00:44:41] We get it in the manager's report and it gets covered up, so I'm just trying to understand [00:44:45] those two questions. [00:44:47] for the new station set up for the city, and then over and above, if there's a better [00:44:51] way or equipment-wise that we ought to consider, either this year or next, on how you want [00:44:56] to respond to... [00:45:00] There's 1,400 calls that you're getting annually on 19 and on West Main. [00:45:05] I'll answer question number two, and question number one I'll probably defer to the city [00:45:09] manager on the capital improvement for the new station. [00:45:14] Question number two, there are a lot of different fire apparatus in the market that can respond [00:45:18] to those types of runs. [00:45:20] The problem is if you do not run a class A fire pumper like we run our engines to 19, [00:45:30] then you lose the availability of if a structure fire call comes in while maybe you responded [00:45:39] an SUV or something to Highway 19, and then you don't have that truck available to respond. [00:45:46] So our units stay very busy. [00:45:49] We make a lot of back-to-back calls while that unit is out on one incident, another [00:45:53] one comes in right after. [00:45:56] Also on the calls on Highway 19, we need all of our auto extrication equipment. [00:46:00] We need all of our EMS equipment. [00:46:02] We need all of our cribbing and different equipment. [00:46:07] So it would be hard for us to go down to a smaller vehicle. [00:46:11] I know there's other cities that have experimented using med cars or old police cars to respond [00:46:18] to medical calls, but it just never works. [00:46:24] That's really my thought process on that. [00:46:31] A note for Ms. Feast, the five-year cap budget is either off by a year, your headings are [00:46:38] off by one year. [00:46:41] The first year showing a 16-17, which with any luck, we're finished with here in a couple [00:46:50] months. [00:46:51] Age 87. [00:46:52] Oh, I see. [00:46:53] Yes, thank you. [00:46:54] Anything else? [00:46:55] He had a, Councilman Phillips had another question on the capital improvement. [00:47:03] And I'd be glad to respond to that question. [00:47:07] There are a number of variables still under consideration before we can make a recommendation [00:47:15] from the staff's perspective on the capital improvement questions that Councilman Phillips [00:47:24] is referencing. [00:47:25] The first has to do with the annexation study, which is currently under consideration. [00:47:35] Certainly the level of service demands would change should the city determine it's appropriate [00:47:42] to go forward with the annexation of any additional property. [00:47:47] Secondarily, is our ISO rating, which we're fortunate to be retaining the same level. [00:47:54] We want to continue to do that, and to do that, we need to be assured of the specific [00:48:02] boundaries of the city, again, rolling back to annexation. [00:48:06] I truly expect it to be in the short term before we're able to make a recommendation [00:48:12] to you in that respect. [00:48:15] We understand that it is a priority project, and it will be advanced as certain as the [00:48:23] annexation project is completed, and we have identified a funding source by which to implement [00:48:31] an improvement to, or the construction of a new fire station. [00:48:39] Thank you. [00:48:41] Given the hour, and the city manager had suggested that we might want to defer anything we hadn't [00:48:47] gotten to by the time we got to about a quarter till, and we're past that. [00:48:51] I would open it up, we had a member of the public that's been patiently sitting here [00:48:55] listening to all this, doesn't want to come up and ask any questions. [00:49:00] She's here to learn.

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3. 3Adjournment▶ 49:02