MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, March 29, 2022
BELROCKTON
108 HANOVER STREET
6:30 P.M.
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at the Belrockton, 108 Hanover Street at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 to conduct a budget workshop.
Mayor Bruce Meyers called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Council Member Scheid gave the Invocation.
Mayor Meyers led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk, Janae Cooper took the roll call:
Members present: Bonita Steele, Jorel Davis, Ron Gunderson, Mike Scheid and Bruce Meyers
Members absent: None
101 GENERAL FUND
Property taxes
The March Board of Review was just completed. Schlienz added an additional $10,000 for taxes and added $10,000 to parks for improvements.
City Council
The council requested Schlienz to provide a breakdown on subscriptions and memberships to them for review.
City Manager
There is no budget listed for telephone. It is part of the city manager’s contract, however he (Jon Stopples, City Manager) chose to not receive a phone reimbursement.
There was no travel in FY 2020/21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was a rise in insurance/benefits.
Finance & Administrative Services
Fund 606 – is a pool for supplies.
Steele commented on giving each department head a line item assessment that has nothing to do with anyone else (for example $1,000) to purchase what they may specifically need to do their job and then also a “pool” for all other commonly used supplies. Police and Fire have their own supply lines. Davis suggested department heads to discuss this.
Clerk
The budget reflects a change in full-time wage and benefits. The line item for Elections was increased for the August Primary and November General elections.
Central Municipal
Steele noted that a 2% increase was not reflected in the salary.
Miscellaneous Expenses - Schlienz will get back with council on a possible Lightning Bend match.
Cemetery
Salary – there is a salary decrease as a full-time employee retired and is returning as a part-time employee. Schlienz will pull the detail for council.
Police Department
The Police Department is looking to replace Car 11 (2014 Chevy Impala). It is the last one. They are looking to purchase another Ford Explorer.
Fire Department
There is a new pickup truck and fire engine so maintenance costs are going down (warranties). The fire department has also dropped two vehicles. They are looking to purchase 4 more CBAs. The payment for the new fire truck is in a separate account.
Park Maintenance
DPW may be hiring someone to take over Demorest Field (or all parks). Vandalism is an issue. The city may try to curb the vandalism by punishing the parents of the offenders.
Transfers
This fund reflects money going out to help the Dial-A-Ride agreement and the 425 Agreement (sharing taxes) with Otisco Township to meet that obligation. Rates were last raised in 2017. Greenville has much higher rates than Belding; Belding is subsidizing too much of the program. Dial-A-Ride Director Val Conklin will forward councilmembers the equation of what percentage MDOT receives.
Bel
Funds maintained for building support. The bulk of the expenses are covered by the museum. The City works with the Museum Board for common expenses.
The salary line item is for cleaning and the line item for repair and maintenance is for the inspection of the elevator.
Community Promotions
The City typically puts $5000 towards the fireworks display for the Labor Day celebration. Steele suggested increasing the budget to $7500. Gunderson supported Steele’s suggestion.
Planning Commission
Michigan Planning Association Memberships are paid out of this account along with Williams and Works. Williams & Works is currently working on a proposal for training.
Contingency
This line item is required to have money set aside for unexpected things that arise.
202 MAJOR STREET FUND
Projections are based on the numbers that the State of Michigan provides. We currently have a tentative list of streets slated for repairs. Orchard Street is a major one.
203 LOCAL STREET FUND
County property taxes cannot be used for local streets. Revenue is received from the Metro Act, if a Metro Act permit is obtained.
DDA
Revenue is captured from the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) due to an increased value in taxes. Steele noted that the money should be spent on the Downtown; it should not accumulate. DDA could be involved in the vandalism issue as some parks are in the DDA District.
This is a repeat budget for specific expenditures; a holding place in the event property is seized.
Library
Typical library expenditures.
Museum Fund
This is for the Belrockton. The bulk of the expenditures are for the second and third floors. .
Bond Funds
Sewer Fund debt service is an obligation that must be meet. There are two separate debts. One with a term now thru 23/24; the other now through 27/28.
Library Debt Fund
This is an obligation that must be met. It was for building improvements. The payoff is in 2048.
Capital Improvements Fund
The mall parking lot is paid off!
Dial a Ride
These are Federal Funds and State Revenue for running Dial A Ride.
Sewer Fund
Fleis & Vandenbrink does the lab work; DPW does all of the other work. Schlienz will look at the Maintenance & Service line item to review if the 680,000 amount is a typo, and if not, what it is for.
Water Fund
The City is working with EGLE.
Internal Service Fund
Split out departmental supplies.
Motor Pool Fund
The Roof on the DPW garage has 25-30 leaks.
Health Insurance Fund
Employees pay 30% of the premium for the “Cadillac plan” or 20% of the premium for the HSA. Insurance increased by 3% in September. Some employees dropped the 30% plan and changed to the HSA.
River Ridge Cemetery
Perpetual Care
Gunderson thanked everyone for attending.
Davis thanked everyone for attending.
Mayor Meyers thanked everyone for attending.
Moved by Scheid seconded by Steele to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes – All.
__________________________________ __________________________________
Bruce Meyers, Mayor Janae K. Cooper, City Clerk