Kentwood Committees & Boards
Finance Committee (Back to index)
Minutes for 5/20/2010

Present: Commissioners: Chairperson Sharon R. Brinks, Michael W. Brown, Richard Clanton, Robert Coughlin, Frank Cummings, Ray VerWys and Mayor Richard L. Root. Also present: Finance Director Tom Chase, Deputy Administrator Rich Houtteman, City Clerk Dan Kasunic, Assistant Finance Director Phil Tietz and the Grand Rapids Press.

REVIEW OF THE 2008-2009 PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
Mayor Root made a brief opening remark regarding the proposed budget and that is was developed without the millage passing and requested that the positions that were determined to be added for the next fiscal year changed to be implemented as soon as possible. By consensus, the Committee agreed to start the hiring process.

The Committee reviewed the following departmental budgets with their representatives.

Library-Cheryl Cammenga.
-The budget is estimated because it is a new building with no past history to work from.

Park & Recreation Department-Director Charlie Ziesemer.
-ARCH program covers 1/3 of the coordinator?s salary.
-Requested the funding to implement the REACH Program at three of the parks.
-Reviewed the cost billed into the user fees for sports teams to cover the cost of maintenance of the fields.
-KBL to maintain the field which reduced the cost to the department.
-Investigating the possibility of starting a foundation to support park programs.

City Assessor-Deb Ring
-Noted 131 parcels are currently before the Tax Tribunal.

Human Resources-Lisa Sonego.
-Requested additional funding for membership and survey pertaining to wages/benefits and trends.
-Savings in the change regarding the dental plan.
-Same cost/revenue with wellness program.
-Negotiations will be starting with Fire Department and KGEA.

Fire-Chief James Carr.
-Starting the hiring process for three positions.

Court-Judge William Kelly and Court Administrator Deb Clanton.
-Investigating the use of a contracted Court Collections Agent.
-Starting using State Law for charging under Domestic Violence, this aids in reducing pre-deim jail costs.

Chairperson Brinks began discussion regarding the list of budget options and issues to consider. She reviewed the list, provided by Tom Chase, with the Commissioners beginning with BASIC plan administration, wellness program, smoothing pension plan, REGIS, maxiumus fee study, income tax study WKTV cable fees, leaf recycling and sidewalk snowplowing all approved except smoothing and income tax study.

Dinner Break-6:10 to 6:30pm

DPW-Engineering- Public Works Director Ron Woods, City Engineer Steve Kepley.
-Reduction of a Mechanical Inspector.
-Using Plumbing Inspector for cross-connection program and rental inspections.
-Sharing clerk between Engineering and Public Works.
-Reduced seasonable part timers from 8 to 6 workers.
-Discussion regarding leaf dump, and sidewalk snowplowing and will analyze and then bring to Service Committee with recommendations.

Police Department-Chief Richard Mattice.
-Update of restored positions.
-Reviewed positions not replaced.
-Code Enforcement has moved to Police with a shared position from Planning Department.
-Awarded a Justice Assistant Grant for $20,000.

Planning-Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer.
-Reduction of staff, including shared position of Assistant Planner with Code Enforcement (moved to Police Department).
-Change of Level for Community Development Director.

Executive-Mayor Richard Root.
-No change in Mayor's Office.

City Clerk-Dan Kasunic.
-New laptops provided by the State for elections and the direction of reducing election workers to reduce City costs.

Treasurer-Tom Chase (sitting in for Jan Hollinrake).
-Same high levels of collections.
-Shared position of Clerk between Treasurer and Planning Departments.

Finance-Information Technology-Finance Director Tom Chase.
-Reduction of two positions. One in IT and one in Finance Department.
-Reductions in costs planned because of implementation of Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and regional collaboration.

Finance-Tom Chase.
-Reviewing legal fees for possible reductions.
-Auditing all contracts for savings.
-Spoke on capital transfers and debt services.

City General Expenses/Revenue-Finance Director Tom Chase.
-Unsure of tax bottom, projecting a 10% reduction.

Commissioner Brinks requested the Library Community Rooms? revenue be placed onto the next Finance Committee Meeting agenda.

Motion by Cummings, supported by VerWys to recommend to the City Commission to approve the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year Budget as amended by the Finance Committee.

Motion Carried.


The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 P.M.


Dan Kasunic    Sharon R. Brinks
City Clerk         Chairperson