PICKERINGTON CITY COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

 

COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION

 

6:00 P.M.

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Hammond opened the Council Budget Work Session at 6:05 P.M., with the following council members present:  Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Sauer (arrived at 6:10 P.M.), Mr. Wisniewski (arrived at 6:15 P.M.), and Mr. Fix (arrived at 6:17 P.M.).  Mr. Smith and Mrs. Sanders were absent.  Others present were:  Tim Hansley, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, Chris Schornack, Jan Eichner, Larry Jones, and others. 

 

Mrs. Hammond stated that as the review of the General Fund was not completed at the last work session they would complete that prior to moving on.   

 

            Mrs. Hammond stated Mrs. Eichner was present to answer any questions regarding the proposed budget for the Income Tax Department.  Mrs. Eichner stated her budget had no changes from last year other than the addition of a small amount to cover the mailing of flyers or reminders to businesses should the tax increase pass. 

 

            Mrs. Fersch reviewed the requests and contributions to various agencies and events under the General Government Section.  Mrs. Hammond stated our Parks Department does joint events with the OPVBA and questioned if we had an estimate on what we contribute in personnel time, etc., on the OPVBA events.  Mrs. Fersch stated as these are joint ventures she did not have those estimates.  Mr. Hansley stated we are working on preparing a special events package with an application that would track all of those costs so we could recover some of them.  Mrs. Hammond stated she did not have a problem supporting some of the OPVBA events, but she did not feel the City should support things such as their Shoppe Hops.  Mr. Sauer clarified that we did give the OPVBA $5,000 last year and he would not support any amount over that.  Mr. Sabatino stated if the income tax issue does not pass, all of these contributions will be looked at again, and even if it does pass he would not support more than what was budgeted last year.  Mr. Sauer questioned if the Township has been contacted to see if they would split the cost on the Fourth of July festivities since a large number of Township residents attend this event.  Mrs. Fersch stated they have made a donation in the past, but it has been in the amount of $3,000 or $3,500.  Mr. Hansley stated he would contact them and see if they would consider splitting the cost.  Mr. Fix inquired if Mrs. Fersch had any information regarding the Health Department issue, and Mrs. Fersch stated in speaking with the Columbus Health Department they indicated if they took us on they could not hire additional people so they were hesitant.  She stated the fees the Board of Health collects for licenses for restaurants, pools, and spas in Pickerington runs to about $42,000 annually.  She stated this amount is over and above the $89,000 we provide them.  Mr. Fix clarified Columbus has its own Board of Health and she has spoken to Franklin County Board of Health and they want $5.73 per person, and it is based on the population four years back.  She stated our population in 2005 was about 11,000 or 12,000.  Mr. Fix clarified further with Franklin County Board of Health we could save between $20,000 to $30,000.  Mrs. Fersch stated Mr. Wolf of Franklin County Board of Health could come and speak to Council formally on this.  Mrs. Fersch stated she could have the presentation from Franklin County Health Department at the next Finance Committee meeting, and Mrs. Hammond stated she would like to have it scheduled for the November 19th Finance Committee meeting.  Mrs. Fersch stated if we are going to change from our current Health Department we will need to notify them we are going to pull out by the end of this year. 

 

            Mrs. Fersch reviewed the Legislative Budget, which included the Municipal Clerk, Council, Mayor, and City Manager’s Departments, and the Finance Department Budget.  Mrs. Hammond stated the Income Tax Department Budget had been reviewed earlier in the meeting.  Mrs. Fersch stated the Personnel Budget included the administrative support for City Hall; receptionist, administrative clerk, and the temporary category.  Mrs. Fersch stated the temporary includes the five individuals we have that are scheduled as necessary.    Mr. Fix clarified that we have not had a salary evaluation in quite some time and Mr. Hansley stated he felt our pay plan could be much better than the one we have now.  Mr. Hansley stated he would contact Clemens Nelson to see what the cost would be for this review would be.  Mrs. Fersch reviewed the Legal Department and Mr. Wisniewski clarified that the budget does include some funds to cover unexpected litigation that might come along.  Mr. Hansley stated the Finance Committee must approve anything beyond the retainer. 

 

2.         SCHEDULED MATTERS:

 

            A.        Review of proposed 2009 Police Department Budget.  Mrs. Fersch stated this department budget was rescheduled for review at the October 22, 2008, Budget Work Session. 

 

            B.         Review of proposed 2009 Service Department Budget.  Mrs. Fersch stated this department budget was rescheduled for review at the October 29, 2008, Budget Work Session.

Mr. Fix stated he would like to request discussion on the Development Department at the next Work Session as well. 

 

3.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, the Council Budget Work Session closed at 7:00 P.M., October 15, 2008. 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

______________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk

 

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________________________

Cristie Hammond, Council President Pro Tempore