CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE

BUDGET WORKSHOP

MAY 29, 2008

6 P.M.

Present:

Council President William Blest
Councilperson Janet Churchill
Councilperson John Gaworski
Councilperson Donald Reese

Absent:

Councilperson Teel Petty

Others Present:

Cathryn Thomas, City Administrator
Marian Delaney, Finance/HR Supervisor
Gregory Sarnecki, City Accountant

The meeting began at 6 p.m. Roll call was taken.

Ms. Delaney explained that the materials being referred to this evening are a three-year comparison by line item for fiscal year 2005, 2006 and 2007 and a three-year average. The other document is a draft for the new budget that includes the fiscal year 2008 budget that was approved, actual spent as of ten months (4/30/08), amount requested for the next budget year, approved amount and comments.

Personal Service

Association Dues – Appropriated $4,000. Ms. Delaney informed there is no increase in dues.

Economic Development – Discussion surrounded the ‘zero’ amount allotted. The “oxygen group” that is pushing for economic development in the City is very active and other activities were discussed. $2,000 was appropriated.

Contractural Services

Election Expenses – Councilperson Reese stated that we need to define what we are doing about people who serve on the Election Committee versus people who work on Election Day. People who are on the Election Committee and work the day of the election can get paid; if they are on the Election Committee and do not work Election Day they don’t get paid. (Discussion followed about practices being followed and conflicts of interest involved.) $3,500 is being appropriated.

Departmental Contingency – Ms. Delaney informed we would consider an amount after we determine our revenues and expenditures.

Annual Calendar/Newsletter – Councilperson Reese asked Ms. Thomas if $5,000 is enough for the expanded newsletter. She is unsure at this time. If we combine the revenue for the newsletter and calendar it should be enough. Municipal Services will be sharing costs. (Discussion followed about distribution, coordination of information, and timeline.)

Clerk & City Treasurer

Recording Equipment – Ms. Thomas has received a quote from Collins Business and discussed same.

Finance Department

No changes.

Contractual Service

Main Street Support – Represents financial software for payroll/accounts payable/general ledger. The City pays a monthly maintenance fee.

FY Audit -- Questions about the audit were addressed by Ms. Delaney. The 2007 audit is in draft form at this time. It is a one-year audit. Mr. Sarnecki informed that auditing standards are changing creating additional work. (Lengthy discussion about the Bellanca audit followed.)

Administration

Ms. Thomas addressed questions from Council concerning this category.

Human Resources

Ms. Delaney answered questions concerning this section. Lengthy discussion about additional personnel and respective salaries followed.

Capital Outlay

City Administrator Vehicle Lease – Will remain the same.

Consulting – Will be removed.

Copier Lease – Represents one (1) machine. Lease details were provided by Ms. Thomas.

Recreation

Topics of discussion included interns and counselors, drug testing, and background checks. Field trip and transportation expenses will take up a large portion of this section’s budget.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the Budget Workshop. The motion was approved unanimously. The Budget Workshop was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Turner,
Stenographer

(Stenographer was not in attendance; minutes transcribed from tape.)