City of Central Falls
City Council Finance Committee
Thursday, May 20, 1999
A meeting of the Central Falls Finance Committee was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 10:00 a.m.
Members present:
Councilman Noury
Councilman Weber
Also present John Kuzmiski, Finance Director
Councilman Weber chaired the meeting.
Chairman Weber commented on some budget items.
Discussion on general revenues took place.
John Kuzmiski explained the tax phase out for Motor Vehicles and Tangible Taxes.
Councilman Weber questioned the tax levy and what % will be collected.
Discussion also centered on other revenues, Municipal Court Fees etc.
Chairman Weber questioned the accrued interest and prior year interest.
The Finance Director explained that there is $1,00,000,000 more in the general fund.
Councilman Noury questioned the Tax Phase out and General Revenue Sharing.
John Kuzmiski stated that General Revenue is based on the Governor's Budget and the information is the best prediction as indicated by Dan Beardsley.
Discussion continued on Revenue.
Mayor Matthews joined the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
The Finance Director repeated that the figures relative to the phase out are the best that can be obtained as provided by Jim Savage's Office and the Governor's Budget. He stated that Tony Harraka would continue to update the Finance Director relative to the tax package needed to prepare the taxes to include the phase out.
Councilman Noury asked why the water rebate is lower and the $70,000 decrease in tax revenues.
John Kuzmiski explained the revenues from the water rebate and the tax decrease.
Mayor Matthews commented and responded to Councilman Noury's questions relative to the water rebate. He stated that he wanted an itemization from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, which has been requested through our Attorney. He related that the Board has been holding back payment saying that the City is not maintaining the water pipes properly.
Councilman Weber asked for a report on the lease/rental property, what they included and how much income is derived from each property.
John Kuzmiski stated that Scoop at the Falls, at 1420 Broad St., Children Friends and services at the Municipal Building, an apartment on Parker Street are some that he could name off hand but that he would devise a list.
Councilman Noury commented on the Special Revenue account and funds from the fund balance.
Councilman Weber questioned the Mayor on the drop of $800,000 in tax revenues and is it related to the Housing program.
The Mayor responded, it's probably about $60,000 to $90,000 in tax revenue but that it is outweighed by the cost of housing additional children for an overburdened school department, rubbish collection, police/fire and rescue services, that by far the savings of ridding the City of blight and the threat of harm to the residents of the City by these abandoned houses is well worth the expense of acquiring the properties, some have been acquired from Tax Sale Redemption and Redevelopment.
The meeting recessed at 10:40 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11:06 a.m.
Councilman Weber questioned the pay increase in the Mayor's Office.
Mayor Matthews responded that there was a time that the Administrative Assistant's position was vacant and that is what the difference is, there are no pay increases.
The position of the Camera operator's position being cut in pay when the Council specifically asked to increase the salary due to the increase in hours for the position/
Councilman Weber also explained that there would be a need to update the equipment to a digital camera. He spoke of the increase in the hours of the camera operator, which the council has doubled its meetings per month with at least 3 hours per meeting.
Mayor Matthews commented that the Council at one time met once a month with meeting running to after 11:00 p.m.
Councilman Weber stated that he would propose that this salary be at least returned to its present level.
Councilman Weber questioned the salary decrease in the City Clerk's Office.
Mayor Matthews stated that the salaries reflect the salary of the City Clerk and the Deputy City Clerk, and the full time clerk in the office would be eliminated.
Councilman Noury questioned the position of Ms. Khabbaz and the return to the Office of the Mayor.
Councilman Weber and Noury also questioned the $10,000 for bilingual services position which is eliminated and consulting fees.
The Tax Assessor's Office Budget was questioned by the Committee relative to Education and Training account etc.
The Finance Director explained that there would be an update in the valuations of real property as the State requires and that this would required additional training and upgrades in the computer software.
The Committee then focused its attention of the City Property Account and asked if the City had entered into a contract with the League with regards to electrical services.
The Mayor explained that this decision, if made, would require the City to make a 5 year commitment and the City would be obligated to stay with the league. He stated that we may overly optimistic and what if the savings don't materialize. He stated that there are several communities that have not committed.
The committee questioned the Janitorial Services.
The Mayor responded that this would be privatized for all the Municipal Buildings and the position would be eliminated.
The workers compensation account was questioned and the Committee asked that the City provide a breakdown of the account. What the balance is and what expenses have been paid out to date.
The Police Department Budget was questioned. The committee asked if there was a drop in salaries and what the number on the Department is.
Discussion centered on the dispatcher, new trainees etc.
The Mayor also stated that the Parking Violation Officer's position is being eliminated. He reminded the Committee that one person held the two part time positions one being the Parking Violation Officer and the other being the Animal Control Officer.
Police overtime account was questioned extensively.
The Mayor stated that some of this expense was from the Carties Strike etc.
Councilman Weber asked how can the Council who adopted a budget that allocated $100,000 for overtime be held to a budget that overspends by a great amount he asks where the controls for this are.
Discussion continued.
Mayor Matthews explained that factors like minimum manning requirements, men out for long periods of times, vacations etc. all require people being called back on overtime and every year it keeps getting larger. He stated that the City is doing its best to keep spending in this department in line. The City is willing to reduce staffing & pay people overtime for the savings.
Councilman Weber stated that he would like it in writing as to where the savings are for both the Police and Fire Departments.
Councilman Noury questioned the longevity pay for the Police Department.
Mayor Matthews stated that there are some grants coming to closure in the Police Department, however dispatchers have a one-year extension.
Chairman Weber stated the committee would adjourn until May 21, 1999 at which time they will commence with the Fire Department Budget.
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m. by unanimous consent.
______________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk