Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/08/2014

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City Administrator Ulrich agreed that is the case to a point. Mayor Pro Tem Backous stated past Councils have included staff time in the EDA budget but he would question the appropriateness of that policy. City Administrator Ulrich explained that number covers portions of existing staff and overhead that will occur and those costs need to be covered by the General Fund or economic development revenue. He stated staff will determine how much time is spent with EDA work to create a realistic number with the rest of the expense falling into the General Fund. In addition, there is about $400,000 from HRA that can be used, in part to cover the cost of the transition. Finance Director Lund noted one of the budget pages details the percentage of staff time that is attributed to the EDA. She continued review of the expenses, noting union contracts remain open at this time. City Administrator Ulrich stated staff will determine prevailing cost of living increases and use a comparable number in this budget as a starting place. The same will be done for health insurance costs. Finance Director Lund stated this is the second year of a PERA increase. She reviewed proposed line item increases and provided an explanation of each. It was noted that additional items will probably come forward during budget discussions. With the HRA dissolving, its budget of $50,000 for parking lot maintenance will now be transferred to the General Fund. Finance Director Lund presented the Public Works budget, noting additional road funding is not included unless the Council decides on additional debt. Councilmember Riley asked about the office assistant position moving to full time, noting the majority of the increase is for benefits, not salary. Human Resources Manager Lasher stated as part of the 2014 budget process, this position was scheduled to be full -time but was reduced to 25 hours per week with a mid -year start date. She explained that with the Accounting Clerk leaving, it would cut into the amount being requested for the Administrative Assistant to go full time. The Administrative Assistant is a confidential employee who can handle that type of research, bringing a lot of value, and offsetting losing the Finance Clerk. Human Resources Manager Lasher stated this estimate may be a little high as the individual may waive single health insurance. City Administrator Ulrich stated additional staff positions and hours will be scrutinized and justification provided at the next budget discussion. Councilmember Riley asked about the Fire Marshal position. Human Resources Manager Lasher explained that with the new hire, a market study was not conducted. The Fire Marshal's salary was not adjusted, it was kept at the previous Fire Marshal's salary. City Council Work Session / July 8, 2014 Page 3 of 10