HomeMy WebLinkAbout10222001 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF OCTOBER 22, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geoff Masci at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers of City Hall.
ROLL CALL
CounCil members present at roll call were Joe Finnie, Alan Frank, Vem Garrison, Syd
Lipton, Geoff Masci and Alan Youse. Bill wolcott was excused.
2002 CITY MANAGER'S PRELIMINARY BUDGET PRESENTATON
Mr. Timmons presented his preliminary budget. He identified the street fund as the area
of the budget which causes concern because it has no sustainable revenues. He outlined
governmental accounting and discussed interfund transfers. He noted that the solid waste
contract negotiations have gone on longer than anticipated, but privatization of the solid
waste program is still targeted for next year.
He said the additional amount of time has built a reserve in the solid waste fund as a one
time source of money; it was necessary to maintain a reserve to handle the transfer of
accounts since the waste company bills to months in advance and the city has billed two
months in arrears. When the fund is closed the money will be transferred to the General
Fund per state law. That money will help stabilize the street fund for the next year.
The allocation of resources and how they are managed will be another focus of the
budget; for example, employees working in the Public Works Department have their
salaries and benefits divided among several funds. These allocations have been revisited
to reflect a more equitable reflection of the true time spent on particular projects.
Because of the Tri-Area water are transfer, there will be a prepayment of seven years of
debt and the utility will be out of debt in 2011 rather than 2017; this can coincide with
the new debt schedule and help to stabilize the rate structure.
Capital projects will be broken out into one capital improvement fund rather than spread
through several funds so they may be more easily identified and so that the other funds
will truly reflect operation and maintenance costs.
Mr. Timmons is also recommending a new ER-IT fund to take the utility operating
programs from operating budgets to a single fund. The advantage is that many of these
funds have projects that have one time revenue and now the budget won't reflect blips
caused by a one time capital project. Many projects transcend from one year to the next
and it is difficult to track and keep track of the revenue to expense.
City Council Workshop Meeting Page I October 22, 2001
Staff will begin to schedule council committee meetings for November so that the
process can keep moving along
Each department will have the opportunity to present their budget and work program to a
council committee.
Public Comment
Nancy Dorgan asked several questions which were addressed by Mr. Timmons. Then
noted she is waiting for a figure on how much surplus from the solid waste fund has been
used for the last three budgets. She stated it appears it is that money which has allowed
balanced budgets to go forward without raising property taxes.
Kees Kolff stated his concern over sustained funding for the streets.
During the brief council comment period, Mr. Masci noted that the agreement with the
county for health services is still under scrutiny.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR SENIOR PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES
Because the Chief of Police recently moved to the Quilcene area, some Councilmembers
have received citizen concerns regarding whether the move raises any public safety or
public policy issues.
Motion: Mr. Youse moved to refer the issue to the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Lipton
seconded.
Public comment
None
Vote: the motion carried unanimously, 6-0, by voice vote.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
Attest:
Pamela Kolacy, CMC
City Clerk
City Council Workshop Meeting Page 2 October 22, 2001