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CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
JOURNAL WORK SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL
September 24, 2013
Council Chambers, City Hall, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914
7:00 P.M. Open Session
A. Review and Discussion of the FY 2013-2014 Budget
Finance Director Malcolm Moore provides a power point presentation.
This presentation includes:
- reconciled BPR
- Google money questions
- funding 100% of ARC
- priority in next 2 years, synchronization
Mayor Briden asks about the actuarial statement.
Director Moore states he should have it early this week. If the Council chooses to use the money for synchronization then this would be submitted to the State for approval. The City meets the guidelines because it is no longer in a critical status but the Council would still want approval. Any revisions have to be approved by the Council, as the State indicated that if this was what Council wanted an action would need to be taken by the Council. The funding for synchronization should be set aside whether Council chooses to do it this year or next.
Mr. Luba endorsed a set aside for synchronization. He explained to Council they need to think about how much they need and do a careful analysis of where the cash flow is going to be, not just 12 months but further out as well. Council doesn’t want to borrow too or much too little as it’s too expensive. The bond would need approval from East Providence voters and approval from the State legislature. Council will have to consider doing a 12 month budget if they decide to synchronize next year then they would need to do an 8 month budget followed by another 12 month budget as the Charter doesn't have a provision for a June budget. This will have to be changed and the money the amount of which still has to be determined would be set aside.
Councilwoman Rossi asked about the funding for an additional laborer in DPW.
The City Manager stated that the department requested more during their budget hearings due to the consolidation of the Parks and Highway departments and due to attrition.
Assistant Mayor Rose stated there is a definite need in this department. The department used to have a staff of 40 years ago and now it is down to 19 workers.
Councilwoman Capobianco agrees.
The City Manager explains there is a savings with the new police cars and a lower cost for repairs. The budget was previously approved at a higher level for repairs and this adjustment has been made to the budget to account for the savings.
There was a request to look at the Council salaries and the City Manager recommends this should be more in line with other cities and towns. However, this will not go into effect until after the next election, the recommendation is for $6000 per year per Council member and $7000 per year for the Mayor. Council members may also choose to have this as a deduction for their healthcare instead of receiving this as a check. Currently Council members are at $3500 per year and the Mayor is at $4500 per year.
In the capital expenditures it is noted that the City will repave the Weaver parking lot on the older side which was not done previously.
There is a savings for DPW to go from a straight salt to sand and salt mix. There is a savings but then the sand on the road will need to swept.
Assistant Mayor Rose stated they sweep the streets anyway.
The City Manager stated they will get the numbers to switch from straight salt to a sand and salt mix.
The water rates, for drinking water is the next area to review to handle the way the City handled the wastewater treatment with United Water. It would be run very similar to the wastewater contract.
Director Coutu was called to the podium to discuss.
Councilwoman Rossi asked if the employees just signed a 5 year steal worker contract and if they would be covered if something moved forward similar to the previous United Water Contract.
The City Manager stated they had and they would.
The following items were discussed:
- $200,000 for school upgrades for the fire system
- truant officer in schools
- legal bills on the school side and the allotted funds in the budget for these
Mr. Luba stated that the revenue budget items are achievable. The expenditure side is to make sure any kind of increases are reasonable and cuts are sustainable and that the Council will need ask these same questions in the next week or two.
Mayor Briden stated at this stage to be adding employees and increasing the budget where there is a savings may not be the way the Council wants to go. Our role is to set up a paradigm where everything works in a perfect manner. We want to very carefully consider whether or not we want to add employees. He asked Council to think about this over the next few days and then they would discuss this further. He added that he would lean more towards not increasing employees but would like to hear from department heads more specifically in a report on why they feel they need the additions.
Councilwoman Rossi stated that taking a look at the sheets that the City Manager forwarded to us regarding the constituent complaint list, if we have the money to show residents what they are getting for their tax dollars and the jobs are needed we should consider it.
Mayor Briden stated he would like to keep the agenda light for 10/1/13 Regular Meeting to focus on the budget.
A motion to adjourn is made at 10:04PM by Assistant Mayor Rose, seconded by Councilman Cunha and on a roll call vote it is unanimous.
Approved By Council: October 1, 2013
Attest: ____________________
City Clerk