Columbus, Georgia

Minutes for the Meeting of the

Public Safety Task Force Committee

March 3, 2004





Members of Task Force: Councilors Wayne Anthony, Nathan

Suber and Skip Henderson, Jackie Lee, Craig A. Haggas, Brad Nelms, Glen Bahde,

Eddie Hall, Carl Kinzalow, Bobby Southerland, Thomas Faulkner, Bruce Whitehead,

Charles Shafer, J.D. Hawk, Randy Robertson, Tom Barron and Byron Hickey.



ABSENT: Councilors Evelyn Turner Pugh and Julius Hunter.



Visitors: Angela Cole and Leah Cadoura.



Clerk of Councils: Tiny B. Washington and her secretary Triena B. Sharpe

arrived at 8:04 a.m.



Meeting Began at 8:00 a.m.



Location: Ground Floor Conference Room on the 1st Floor in the Government

Center.





Meeting began with an introduction of all present personnel.



PRESENTATION BEGAN WITH FINANCE DIRECTOR, ANGELA COLE:



The presentation began with an object lesson by Ms. Angela Cole of the Finance

Department, who demonstrated to everyone how the entire Operational Budget is

affected. The demonstration was using 5 plastic cups (one of which was

different in color (blue) and size than the other cups, to convey a practical

example of the way money is distributed from the General Operating Fund. This

object lesson was assisted with a Power point slide show, containing graphs and

outlines of the specific points she elaborated on such as:



Sources of Revenue



? Ad valorem Taxes

? Sales Taxes

? Commission Utility & Other Taxes

? Water Works Commission ? The Franchise Fees & cost sharing



Angela Cole then continued and addressed the affects to 2 other major

categories such as bonds and forfeitures. As she expounded on how the judges

are stating that people are not able to meet their court obligations and are

placed in jail, further stating that this lack becomes a financial shortfall.



Discussion occurred between Angela Cole and Glen Bahde in reference to how the

budget is distributed when there is uncertainty. Glen Bahde then posed an

example in question form, such as the money being committed to such things as

salary from the ad valorem taxes, or sales tax for capital projects. Angela

Cole then stated that the Police Department?s budget is over 20 million dollar

and the Fire Department?s budget is around 19 million, almost 20 million. She

continued to state that within the General Fund we are living off of 26-27

million dollars of property taxes in which she says is gone by budgeting. She

continued to use the example with the Fire Department?s budget (19-20 million)

by stating that the 29 million dollars we get in sales taxes, between the

Police and the Fire Department we have used all the money; therefore all the

other functions, particularly in the General Fund are funded from property

taxes and sales taxes; therefore everything else in the City is funded from all

the other sources.



Angela Cole continued to use the pie diagram from the Power point slides to

express the priority of the City, which is ?Public Safety.? In the diagram she

answered the question, ?Where does the money go?? She then shared about when

we start taking money from other areas the diagram shows that the State budget

would end. She also expounded that in her discussion with other departments,

the core services have to be evaluated that are involved in the function of the

City. She stated this evaluation will help us deal with the major taxing

authority in reference to the General Fund which is the 9 Mill cap; helping us

limit what it is we are not going to do anymore.



Angela Cole continued with Power point charts to explain to everyone the

function of the General Fund in reference to:



? Personnel cost (71%) ? which deal with salaries and benefits

(In which 61% overall pays for the people)



? Capital Improvement Project (.04%) ? (this also is the area we?ve

sacrificed)



Glen Bahde then asked the rate of expansion for the chart, in which Angela Cole

answered that at the minimum (on personnel side) 3%, and health insurance other

than salaries. Glen Bahde then questioned, has the government been expanded

with new personnel or services within the last 10 years, in which Angela Cole

responded that Public Safety has expanded the last 4-5 years in the Sheriff?s

area and have added almost 50 people, with an anticipation to add 20 more

(related to the federal mandate).



Randy Robertson asked Angela Cole was the money that she was referring to, that

is less than 1% - SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) money out of

Capital Improvement Project (C.I.P.) or out of property taxes. Angela Cole

answered that the money is Capital Improvement money out of property tax.



A question was then asked, why the money cannot come out of the SPLOST Fund, in

which Angela Cole stated that when SPLOST goes to the voters there are a list

of projects that are listed that the money has to be spent for.



Angela Cole referred back to the object lesson to assist everyone in

understanding the distribution of the General Fund by using a large blue

plastic cup; which was symbolic of the General Fund, and the other 4 cups were

the same size and color; representing things such as i.e., Sewer fund, Paving

Fund, Integrated Waste & Civic Center (Trade Center). With the illustration

Angela Cole explained that the General Fund (blue cup) can give money into each

of the other funds (cups), but the other smaller cups cannot give money into

the General Fund. She continued to explain that the money within the other

funds (smaller cups) could only be used for those items.



Randy Robertson asked who makes the decision of how this fund is allocated, and

Angela Cole answered that Council makes the decision based on expenditures for

those particular areas.



Councilor Nathan Suber addressed the process for allocating the distribution of

the funds as a committee with the City Manager and the Council members who

determine whether they will bite the bullet or take away from the reserve fund.

Angela Cole then explained that lots of changes are made through this process,

such as the month of May budget hearings in which things are added and taken

away as are necessary.



Discussion went on for the next 4-5 minutes in reference to the difference

between SPLOST funds and the LOST fund, which Angela Cole clearly explained

which fund (cup) can receive money from the SPLOST fund (Civic Center). Angela

Cole also explained that the Civic Center could receive other money other than

the SPLOST money.



Angela Cole stated that a lot of projection and forecasting is done in her

office in conjunction with CSU and The University of Georgia in working with

trends in the particular areas for the expected revenue and expenditures. She

explained this is what she would like to call our financial infrastructure,

which is bridge building or projecting future expenditures, today and they

become fundamental within their office. Angela Cole continued to use a chart to

show an example of a bridge, referring to the columns and the supports

(foundation) in comparison to the services we provide to the citizens. She

explained about the cracks that were anticipated to show up (late 90?s) and the

money set aside (savings) saved us. She stated we had to draw down from the

fund balance within the last couple of years because we were not bringing in

enough revenue to support our expenses. She also stated that our budget did go

up during those few years, but not necessarily by operation. She then expounded

on a 1% salary increase across the board is approximately 1 million dollars

(easy numbers) in the City of Columbus.



J.D. Hawk, Randy Robertson and Angela Cole discussed for 5-6 minutes about

budgeting the year in advance for pay raises and Fiscal year projections, in

which Angela Cole used a member?s anniversary date to help explain how the

money is projected to be available.



Councilor Suber referred to the Power point chart and the 96? ? 2007?

projection stating that if things continue as they are right now, we are in

trouble; in which Randy Robertson expounded that he thinks that the revenue

(income) was under estimated by a fair amount. Angela Cole then explained that

this is what we want to happen; stating accessed money does not necessarily

come into the City, some people don?t pay their taxes. She explained with an

example of the estimate of the Digest was 2.75; yet it came in at 4.31. She

further stated that the fees, forfeitures, permits and sales taxes were offset

by the Digest difference because they came in lower.



Glen Bahde then posed a question relating to the budget and the employment

number of slots and what percentage we fall into (based upon 100% overall

filled positions). Angela Cole explained the City?s report card system that is

shared with Council and is available for public use that bases the average

percentages for each department?s budget; she expounded that some departments

are at 69% and some are at 100%, this is referred to as a savings. Angela Cole

gave an example by referring to the salary savings of the previously stated 20

additional officers anticipated to be hired in the Police Department. Angela

Cole continued explaining that the money is reduced from the money that is

allocated to the Police Department (taken off the top), and it will help to

balance the General Fund; she further stated that the amount of money required

for the Police Department, if they were fully staffed, would be higher.



For the next 3-6 minutes there were countless examples and questions about the

budget in reference to other funds and staffing that improved the understanding

of how funds are distributed and returned back into the General Fund. Also

Angela Cole emphasized that strict attention is placed over monitoring each

department?s savings.



A question was then asked, whose responsibility is it to collect the taxes.

Angela Cole answered, the Tax Commissioner. She continued to explain that we

are collecting lesser taxes and are in more litigation, and there are more

bankruptcies now than have occurred before.



Councilor Woodson made the statement to Randy Robertson, to recall a couple of

weeks ago when they were trying to collect the money, and she continued to say,

they have to deal with the public by trying to collect the money. Randy

Robertson replied that he believes our Tax Commissioner is doing a great job;

yet if there is revenue out there to be gotten, he wants to ensure its being

pursued.



Angela Cole then referred back to the slides and began elaborating in her

presentation on the 9 Mill cap, referring back to a previous meeting with the

Fire Department?s presentation that was more detailed about this issue. She

summarized that it is made up from 2 different components: the millage rate

from the General Fund and the millage rate from Metra. She stated that it was

done in 1976 by referendum and we are still living under those rules.

Discussion began between Randy Robertson, J.D. Hawk and Glen Bahde in reference

to raising the millage to balance, in which Councilor Suber stated that the

Council could call for the change during a special session, not every 10 years.



Councilor Henderson then stated that we have only so much that we can

accomplish under the tax structure we are under, (referring back to the people

not paying taxes) to which he stated many are businesses, which are going out

of business because of tax revenue, saying those are the folks that are bearing

the burden. He continued to say that we have to create an environment where

there is a break even, and he stated that he believes that we are not there

yet, but raising the millage will go straight (for the most part) on the backs

of people who are non-owner occupied properties, particularly business owners,

who even if condemned or try to sell those properties, you?re trying to sell to

people who are trying to do business and you?re affecting the firemen who just

drove them out of it. He continued to say that he thinks we would all like to

see more room with the 9 Mill cap to have those options, and deal with the

ceiling that we can?t see.



Angela Cole proceeded with the next slide and expounded that the General Fund

and Metra together is 8.59, stating that is where we are in 2004 and the

difference of that and the 9 Mill cap is .47, which is worth 1.2 million

dollars.



Glenn Bahde then asked her (Angela Cole) to explain the rate of the growth of

the Mill, in which Angela Cole gave a visual chart to show the decline that had

occurred. Angela Cole explained that the growth dropped from the late 90?s.



Councilor Suber stated that the projection of revenue does not guarantee that

the money will be there because the City is continually growing and services

expanding, also the lesser amount of citizens who are paying their taxes every

year, and we can?t get to the projection stage. He continued to say that

because of the ad valorem (20%) which is going down, and a larger percentage of

citizens who are paying lesser taxes each year.



Another question was then asked, referring to how much additional money we

would need to do away with the tax issues? Angela Cole answered that a

projected 2-3 million additional funds.



Angela Cole explained the hardships of revenue falling below the expected

average is not a pleasant thing to deal with and she gave an explanation in

reference to health insurance and what we pay out per month (approx. 1.1-1.7

million) and the pressure placed on the General Fund by this and other

responsibilities.



Byron Hickey then stated that he understands citizens requesting to spend

beyond our means, yet he continued to say if we are going broke to do this, he

doesn?t understand the concept. Councilor Suber explained that the citizens

voted for those things to be done, and gave an example of the repairs done in

South Columbus and the projected growth rate needed to occur to deal with those

necessary changes.



Councilor Suber and Glen Bahde engaged in dialogue pertaining to projections,

growth and the desire for the SPLOST as well as the ability of the City to

generate the revenue to support these desires. Councilor Suber ended the

conversation stating that every budget session deals with these specific

issues. Councilor Woodson also added that such desires as the skating rinks

are the desire of the voters, and she then began reiterating that the need of

the people is presented, then negotiated by council to be met.



Angela Cole reverted back to the presentation for her final words and explained

that Georgia has the highest Homestead Exemption; explaining this was in

addition to the high rate of military personnel (which is 2-3 thousand more),

not including the blind, handicap etc.



Angela Cole then shared briefly about sales tax and how this affects the

economy such as the baby boomer generations and the fact that our population is

aging; therefore our contribution for pension accelerates; the 1.8 million for

pension funds and the 11 million (from last year) must be budgeted. She

continued to summarize the need for vehicle insurance and the projects that

funds are not available for but are being looked into, such as health care, pay

raises, capital equipment projects. She also explained the money from FY05,

which makes this year the only year for the Police Department, Fire Department

or any Public Safety to gain money from SPLOST and under FY06 the replacement

of vehicles, fire engines, ambulances, as well as fire safety equipment, is

money not available. She answered the location (General Fund) that the pending

lawsuit money will come from (Walker). She explained the pass or fail

possibilities of LOST, and that it will not affect the FY05 budget, but will

take until FY06 before the first check is issued.



Angela Cole returns to the health care issue and slides, expressing the prices

we pay for prescriptions and the fact that Pharmacies are the fastest growing

area in the health care industry. She then stated that health care is changing

and yet the future affects are unknown, yet this still has some unknown affects

on the City. Angela Cole then encouraged Tom Barron to speak in reference to

the effects of health care and then Tom Barron generally stated how Columbus

determines which health care company they will use.



Discussion occurred between Randy Robertson, Councilor Suber, Tom Barron, Glen

Bahde, Councilor Woodson and Angela Cole as they shared some personal

experiences about health insurance, life insurance, logistical requirements,

and the limitations.



Councilor Suber then asked Angela Cole to give the average cost for an outside

employee who benefits from the contributions to health care in comparison to a

City employee. To which Angela Cole answered that the City employees pay 2

million dollars into the health care program and the City is responsible for

the rest of the bill (9 million).



J. D. Hawk asked Angela Cole to explain cost allocation. Angela Cole stated

that it is the mechanism that the Federal government gives us to charge back

agencies for administrative services that are provided, and this money goes

back into the General Fund. J. D. Hawk then asked who?s being hit with cost

allocations, to which Angela Cole answered The Trade Center, 911, Grant Funds,

Civic Center, Expo, Bull Creek to name a few. J.D. Hawk then asked can we get

rid of cost allocations, in which Angela Cole answered no because it is

Federally mandated. Discussion continued through the break with several members

in reference to the issue of cost allocation.



BREAK FROM SESSION @ 9:40 a.m.



RESUME SESSION @ 9:48 a.m.





New topic referring to The Unified Platform on Wages and benefits for the

Columbus Firefighter?s Association, Fraternal Order of Police and Police

Benevolence Association:



Councilor Wayne Anthony organizes the final discussions.



For 3-4 minutes Councilor Suber, Byron Hickey and Tom Barron discussed whose

responsibility it is for paying FICA, they also discussed Pension benefits and

Social Security.



Glen Bahde presented a 2-page form that outlined several issues that he

discussed in detail: representing the Firefighter?s Association, Fraternal

Order of Police and Police Benevolence Association.

(Complete attachment enclosed)



Glen Bahde began explaining their recommendation, going over Benefit #1 which

he stated he believes that we?re not marketable at 45 based upon the quality of

employees. To which Councilor Suber responded that he encountered a youngster

that wasn?t 45, but was in his 30?s.



Carl Kinzalow stated that his newly hired was 53 years old and around 45 years

old.



Glen Bahde continued to explain that he believes that the focus should be on

Public Safety Services. He expressed that there is going to be a high

retirement this year, and that there has been a slacking in promotional pay

grade adjustments.



Councilor Henderson left at 10:00 a.m.



Councilor Suber asked whether the concern is with future recruits or already

hired personnel. Eddie Hall explained their challenge of retaining employees

who move for better situations. Councilor Suber expresses that 25-30 year olds

are not intending to stay on jobs in general. This discussion on retention of

employees went on for the next 4 minutes between Councilor Suber and Glenn

Bahde.



Councilor Wayne Anthony then requested that a clear explanation of what is

expected by The Columbus Firefighter?s Association, Fraternal Order of Police

and The Police Benevolence Association be given to the Council for viewing.



Byron Hickey explained what is intended by the problem with retention,

referring to the issues of age, pay and benefits.



Glen Bahde then stated that he is requesting this as a temporary fix because of

their understanding of the continual changes. Councilor Woodson voiced her

concern of a temporary correction to the retention problem. Tom Barron

finalized this discussion with a commitment to present a fax copy of what was

previously recommended by Mercer.



Councilor Wayne Anthony writes out expectancies on white board for all to

follow the request being submitted and then suggested as a 1st step proposal

these questions must be researched:

How much will it cost?

Where will the funding come?



He expressed a 2-4 week time frame to come back together with some

possible solutions.



Glen Bahde suggested some alternative recruitment methods.



Councilor Wayne Anthony then encouraged the discussion for the purpose of

obtaining good suggestions from everyone.



Glen Bahde then suggested that we have an Industrial Psychologist to research

and assess different ways to retain and recruit suitable employees. Councilor

Suber explained the negative results that occurred in Atlanta from hiring a

researcher.



Byron Hickey asked if we would still receive the 7.5% F.I.C.A. if it were not

federally mandated by law. Councilor Wayne Anthony suggested that the answer is

not simple nor cut and dry.



Councilor Wayne Anthony listed the request of the CFA, FOP, and PBA based upon

the priorities and importance on the 3 white boards.



Councilor Woodson explained that she hears more in reference to pay; yet she

understood the meeting was suppose to be in reference to benefits. Randy

Robertson and Glen Bahde both responded that pay and benefits are both the

issues they wanted to discuss.



Councilor Suber and Randy Roberts then discussed the 2-year degree that was

stated to be required for promotions and a pre-requisite for employment. To

which Randy Roberts explained that a degree is not required and the options

that are available to those who do pursue a degree.



Councilor Suber, Randy Robertson, Glenn Bahde and Councilor Woodson discussed

the recruitment issues, positions and representation, stating that the

different needs require different solutions because the problems are different,

to which Randy said that the effects are still going to impact the whole group,

and Glenn requested retention options for high caliber individuals.



J.D. Hawk asked Councilor Woodson why is there a 20 man shortfall, to which she

answered that she believes that it is because of the $1200 recruitment budget

and the 1 individual doing the research. J.D. Hawk then remarked about a

previous event in reference to having sent someone to LaGrange with bad

information and his statements, and then referenced understanding the 30

minutes away to LaGrange for better benefits.



Councilor Woodson expressed her new understanding and the lack of being

informed about certain issues that had been shared there, then stated that we

must deal with the issues and go forward from there.



J.D. Hawk explained the previous year recruitment methods which was done by

Sonny Lamb and stated that we?re trying to look at the big pictures and get to

the end of the picture (raise the LOST)



Glen Bahde discussed Councilor Suber?s position on the pay raise for Public

Safety, to which Councilor Suber answers that the problem is not with the 10

Council members, but the citizens agreeing to the raise.



Byron Hickey then refers back to a statement made by Councilor Wayne Anthony

who stated we must come up with some money, emphasizing that point.



Glen asked how to rally others.



Councilor Woodson then explained that the purpose of this meeting was to gather

information and suggestions, organize the issues, research the information for

the best possible answers and figures, then present this to the Council and the

Council will then submit them to the public.



Councilor Wayne Anthony explained the approximate cost (1 million) for

recruitment and retention.



11:00 BREAK



11:10 RESUME MEETING



ENDING SESSION & SUMMARY OF INFORMATION:



Councilor Wayne Anthony summarized the issues and clarified what is the desire

of Public Safety Representatives as follows:



1. 60% Health Care & Retirement

? H.R. Study versus Staff

? Retain Sick Leave and Vacation



2. Pull PTO leave proposal



3. 30-year retirement regardless of age



4. Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Plan



? Plan Compression

? Lift 9 Mill cap



Councilor Wayne Anthony also explained what PTO is ? Ways for management to

improve and save money. He continued to request removing the PTO from the table

because it was a controversial issue. Councilor Suber then stated that he

didn?t think it would be the right thing to do by removing it, and further

stated that Council has to make the final decision. To which Councilor Wayne

remarked that PTO is not a way to save money, but is a way for managers to

improve management of the money. J.D. Hawk then interjected that there are

underlining things behind the PTO which makes it a cost saving proposal,

because it takes into consideration sick time and vacation time by reducing

them and poses an effect on the retirement. Tom Barron then stated that it will

be at the expense of the City, but it has not been crossed out yet.



Councilor Wayne Anthony continued to review the desires mentioned line by line.



Councilor Woodson then reiterates that we take the suggestions, research out

options and present to the Council the facts that will in turn be submitted to

the public.



Councilor Suber stated that these figures and information have been done before

and that they will be refreshing the Council?s memory of the cost that is being

associated and these figures will blow their minds, and in turn will blow the

public?s mind. Then Byron Hickey acknowledged Councilor Suber?s remarks and

requested if they could still gain councils support.



Councilors Woodson and Suber together stated that they are planning to put

together a presentation to present to the public, based on this initial

meeting, and they are going to stand with them as a group to present the

desires of CFA, FOP, and PBA with them in priority form to the public.



Councilor Wayne Anthony summarized that around April and May the Council

intends to have all these suggested needs, plus what the community suggests

that they need submitted to the public and to inform them of what the cost will

be in order to get these things done; thereby also gaining the assistance of

the community leaders to help in challenging the public to understand the

additional money that it will cost to accomplish this. Randy Robertson stated

that some of the items that are being suggested are without cost and can

possibly be implemented now (good will). Councilor Anthony also shared that one

of the things that Council is working on is called ?Block Grants,? in which

will allow the Council to get more of the money that the government gives for

the City. He then promised to move the 4 items before Council as fast as

possible.



Discussion occurred about the vote on future retirement (pensions), to which

Tiny Washington commented that the policy is there and the vote comes up when

presented to the Council.



The next meeting was scheduled for April 7, 2004 and later changed to March 31,

2004.



Councilor Wayne Anthony addressed who is authorized to attend the meeting and

clarified that the appointment of this committee is called a Public Safety Task

Force, not the Public Safety Committee, which is made up of 5 members appointed

by the Mayor.



11:40 a.m. MEETING ADJOURNED







___________________________________________



Triena B. Sharpe

Administrative Specialist III

Recording Secretary