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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/16/2000 Study Session MinutesII. III. IV. MAY 16, 2000 PLACE AND DATE Marana Town Hall, May 16, 2000 CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Sutton at 6:01 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Sutton ROLL CALL COUNCIL Bobby Sutton, Jr. Mayor Present Michael Reuwsaat Vice Mayor Present Ora M. Harn Council Member Present Ed Honea Council Member Present Herb Kai Council Member Present Jim Blake Council Member Present Roxanne Ziegler Council Member Present STAFF Michael Hein Jocelyn Entz Jane Howell Jim DeGrood Roy Cuaron Town Manager Town Clerk Human Resources Director Development Services Administrator Finance Director APPROVAL OF AGENDA Upon motion by Council Member Harn, seconded by Council Member Reuwsaat, the agenda was unanimously approved. ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Discussion - FY 2000-01 Budget Review Mike Hein began the study session by giving an overview of the budget process. The department budgets discussed at this session included Parks and Recreation, Human Resources, Finance, the Town Clerk, and the Town Manager. The discussions began with the Parks and Recreation department proposed allocations. Ken Lawrence proposed conducting a residency MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MARANA TOWN COUNCIL study in order to identify the Park patronage and to consider possible resource adjustments if the study indicated that the Park users were non- residents. He suggested that priority be given to the Marana residents versus the non-resident users. Mr. Hein pointed out that the Parks and Recreation figures would not relate to any numbers previously seen by the Council. He explained that there were no year-to-date actual comparisons because of the budget's design. He stated that, after a lengthy study of the actual expenses and programs and through negotiation and compromise, the Park's allocation was set at $964,336. Council Member Ziegler asked if it was standard practice to charge fees for Park services. She stated that if federal or county funding was received for the provision of recreational services then the Park should be available to everyone regardless of residency status. Mr. Hein answered that charging fees for services was a common practice. He said that some of the services offered under the fee schedule included after-school and summer programs, field trips and various sports leagues. A general discussion followed concerning contracted services versus in- house services. Vice Mayor Reuwsaat and Council Members Honea and Kai expressed their desire to provide more local employment opportunities. Mr. Hein replied that this point was well taken. He said that as the Town grew and the development of the parks system progressed, the in-house services as well as the employment of local residents would increase. The Human Resources department budget was the next topic of discussion. Mr. Hein pointed out several areas on the budget handout where the figures had changed and briefly explained the reasons for the changes. There were no questions regarding the proposed Human Resources budget and the discussion moved on to the Finance Department allocations. Mr. Hein stated that there were no significant differences in this budget for FY 2000-01. There were no changes to the personnel category. The computer maintenance and support category was increased due to 2 MINUTES OF COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MARANA TOWN COUNCIL MAy 16~2000 required upgrades by the IS Manager and the travel and training allocation had increased in order to accommodate the needs of the IS Manager. The office supplies category showed a reduction. Council Member Kai asked if the audit figure was based on an hourly charge or on a set fee. Mr. Cuaron replied that the auditors provided the Town with a fee range based on their past experience in conducting the audit. He said that his goal was to have a reduction in the audit figure in the future because of the new accounting software program recently implemented. Council Member Harn questioned the substantial increase to the computer maintenance and support category. Mr. Cuaron replied that since the IS Manager was within the Finance department, the allocations given to all departments in the past for computer maintenance had been consolidated under the Finance budget. There was no further discussion of the Finance department budget and the session moved on to the Town Clerk budget. Mr. Hein briefly outlined the Clerk's proposed budget and stated that it reflected a reduction in staffing from past years and that the personnel costs were lower. He continued by pointing out several other areas of change. These changes included lower figures for contract services, a higher election figure, and reductions in the recording and advertising, office supplies, contract labor, and computer software upgrades categories. There were no questions and the study session moved on to the Town Manager's budget. Mr. Hein said that his department's budget contained reductions in many categories including personnel expenses, contracted services, community special events, dues and subscriptions, and travel and training. He requested that the Council allow him to create a special projects position. This position would deal mainly with the endangered species issue, specifically the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl, and the Santa Cruz Corridor planning process. Mr. Hein explained that these two issues were closely related and would have a significant impact on the Town's future infrastructure development. He stated that he had reallocated monies out of the Development Services Administrator's capital projects fund and 3 MAY 16, 2000 planned to match this money with other savings opportunities within his budget. Council Member Ziegler objected to this request but agreed that it was a necessary step in protecting Marana's interests. There were no questions from the Council regarding the Manager's budget and the discussion moved on to the Mayor and Council's proposed budget. Mr. Hein briefly outlined this budget and said that there were no significant changes. An overall reduction and budget saving of $5,300 was proposed. There were no questions regarding this budget and a short discussion of the Police department budget increases followed. The Police department budget will be discussed at greater length at a future study session. VI. AD}OURNMENT Upon motion by Vice Mayor Reuwsaat, seconded by Council Member Honea, adjournment of the study session was unanimously approved. The time was 6:40 p.m. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council Study Session held on May 16, 2000. I further certify that a quorum was present.