Columbus, Georgia

Minutes



BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE



Meeting

May 27, 2003



Members Present: Chairperson Evelyn Turner Pugh and Councilors R. Gary Allen,

Wayne Anthony, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius Hunter, Jr., Charles E.

McDaniel, Jr., Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson (arrived at 10:50 a.m.). Also

present were City Manager Cavezza, Mayor Poydasheff, Deputy City Managers

Isaiah Hugley and Richard Bishop, City Attorney Clifton Fay, Finance Director

Kay Love, and Assistant Finance Director Angela Cole.



Members Absent: Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers was absent.

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Chairperson Turner Pugh called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. in the Ground

Floor Conference Room, Government Center.



DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:



Mr. Fernando Verdree, Development Authority Treasurer, came forward to

state that the authority has spent about $5,000.00 on website development and

the Valley Partnership dues were paid as part of the .25 mill. He advised the

remainder of the money is being held for infrastructure for Muscogee Technology

Park and Fall Line Business Center.



Mr. Ed Sprouse pointed out those monies that we have received from the

City is used in projects to expand existing businesses or bring in new

development. He explained the Development Authority does not do a project,

where incentives are involved, without getting the Georgia Tech Development

Office to do a local impact study, which is an evaluation of the cost of

providing the benefits to a business that comes to town and what benefits the

City would receive in terms of sales tax dollars, ad valorem tax benefits, job

creations, etc.



At this time, Mayor Poydasheff requested City Manager Cavezza to have Ms.

Becca Hardin and Mr. Billy Blanchard appear at the next Council Work Session to

provide an overview of the infrastructure and environmental impact study of the

Muscogee Technology Park.



Old Business:



At this time, City Manager Cavezza responded to questions from the

previous meeting and are listed as follows:



? The total number of employees on Military Leave is 35 with 32 of that number

from Public Safety. The Department of Fire and EMS has the lion share of

employees with 12 people.



? There are six officers in police training academy and training with an

officer.



? The recommendations for Senior Program age for discount rates are as

follows: Bull Creek - 62, Tennis - 62 and Metra - 62. These are consistent

with the exception of Tennis, which had gone to 55. This would be moving it

back up to 62. The senior programs are not necessarily revenue driven. For

individuals to be able to go to the senior centers, register for senior

pageants, nutrition programs etc., they must be 50 years of age or above and we

do not recommend changing that. We would put this in the document that Council

has approved it; so it would not be changed administratively.



? The Go-4 Scooters in the Police Department are used for policing the

Riverwalk, special details, activities around the Civic Center and designated

to be used in inclement weather.



*** *** ***



PERSONNEL:



Reclassifications:



City Manager Cavezza recalled there was a lengthy discussion regarding

flattening out the organization; therefore, he has pulled that off the table,

because there is too much dissention in it. He said he believes this was a

more efficient way to go, but we will tackle it another time. City Manager

Cavezza said that he wants to reconstitute what we have, which are the

Engineering Department with an Engineering Director and a Community and

Economic Development Department with a Community and Economic Development

Director.



He pointed out we have some specific data that was requested by the

committee to justify the increase and that position?s job responsibilities.







General Fund 0101



o City Attorney Legal Administrative Specialist (G-7) to Administrative

Assistant (G-8)



City Attorney Fay provided information regarding job responsibilities to

justify the increase for the Legal Administrative Specialist position. He then

responded to various questions from the committee members.



After continued discussions on this matter, Human Resources Director Tom

Barron responded to questions from the committee.



o City Attorney Assistant City Attorney



City Manager Cavezza pointed out the State Court Solicitor?s Assistants,

after five years, and through legislation, would go to $63,107.00 or 65% of the

Solicitor?s pay. He said because of that, the District Attorney has asked for

basically the same amount, where his assistants would come up to the same level

of the Solicitor?s Assistants. He explained the City Attorney is also

requesting to be on the same level with the Solicitor?s Assistants.



There was some discussion on this matter with various committee members

expressing their views. Assistant Finance Director Angela Cole pointed out

that in discussions with the District Attorney, we have talked about the folks

that are under those limits of the $63,000., those folks would be raised from

the $51,000. and $52,000., with the request of the District Attorney to have

the flexibility to grant those folks supplements as part of their salaries and

to do something similar with the State employees he has that are working

various cases, and that range would be from $3,900 to $5,000 with $5,000. being

the maximum. Chairperson Turner Pugh clarifying the request by stating the

committee has to make a decision; in addition to, the Assistant City Attorney

and Assistant District Attorneys, a separate question on if we want to do local

supplements for the State District Attorney.



*** *** ***

Police Department:



Responding to a previous question of Councilor Davis, City Manager Cavezza

advised that the employees from the Police Department that have been activated

by the Military are all patrol officers.



*** *** ***



Reclassifications continued:



City Manager Cavezza reviewed the process, in details, regarding the

reclassifications with the committee members.





o Risk Management Administrative Specialist III (G-4) to Administrative

Service Coordinator (G-6)





City Manager Cavezza said the employee was a G-8 but was reduced to a G-4,

but we now feel that a G-6 is appropriate for the amount of work that has to be

done. Financial Planning Division Manager Joe Riddle mentioned this would be a

$1,733.00 increase. City Manager Cavezza responded to various questions from

the committee members.

Deputy City Manager Hugley provided some additional comments regarding the

request to reclassify the Administrative Specialist III in Risk Management.



City Manager Cavezza went into great details to justify the upgrades for

the following positions listed below. He also responded to questions regarding

employees that move into a position that has a lower grade than the current

position.



o Human Resources Affirmative Action Officer (G-12) to Assistant Human

Resources Director (G-14) increase of $5,092.00



o Community Dev. Plans Examiner (G-9) to Inspections & Codes Assist.

Division Manager (G-11) increase of $2,722.00



o Public Services Driving Training Administrator (G-9) to Driving Training

Administrator/Safety Officer (G-10) increase of $1,219.00



o Facilities Maintenance Custodial Crew Leader (G-4) to Assistant

Custodial Services Coordinator (G-6) increase of $1,581.00



o Clerk of Superior Ct. Judicial Administrative Technician III (G-4) to

Judicial Administrative Technician III (G-6) increase of $1,342.00



After responding to questions of Councilor Suber regarding this employee

performing equal work to the other employees that are a G-6, Councilor Suber

suggested that we provide back pay to this employee that has been consistently

performing similar duties as the other G-6 employees in this department for at

least two years. He then requested that this be placed on the add/delete

list.



o Sheriff Department Fiscal Technician II (G-4) to Fiscal Technician III (G-5)

increase of $888.00



o Medical Director Administrative Supervisor (G-6) to Administrative Assistant

(G-8) increase of $2,390.00

Sewer Fund 0202



o Sewer Maintenance Public Services Crew Leader (G-6) to Public Service

Supervisor (G-7) increase of $891.00



Paving Fund 0203





o Public Services Public Services Crew Leader (G-6) to Public Services

Crew Supervisor (G-7) increase of $2,319.00



o Public Services Chemical Application Crew Leader (G-6) to Chemical

Application Supervisor (G-7) increase of $1,851.00



Parking Management



o Parking Management Parking Enforcement Officers (G-4) to (3 positions)

Parking Enforcement Officers (G-5) increase for all three is $6,084.00



City Manager Cavezza provided a chart to outline the job responsibilities

of the Parking Enforcement Officers. Chairperson Turner Pugh asked

Transportation Director Lisa Goodwin to explain why the Parking Enforcement

Officers are delivering summons; instead of, the Sheriff?s Department,

Marshal?s Office or the Police Department. Transportation Director Lisa

Goodwin briefly explained the process of delivering summons before Metra was

involved and how the process has evolved from that point with Metra processing

all parking citations. She explained that with the processing of the tickets

comes a great deal of responsibility. She pointed out when we first started

going to the homes to deliver summons, we did have a police officer, but there

was a problem getting a police officer for every time we needed to go to the

home; therefore, we began sending two Parking Enforcement Officers.



At this time, Transportation Director Goodwin responded to various

questions from the committee members. Chairperson Turner Pugh asked if

something could be put in the ordinance that when a person receives over three

parking tickets and are outstanding for a certain amount of time; then, if that

car appears in Muscogee County again, that the car gets hauled in. City

Manager Cavezza suggested putting Denver Boots on the tires, at which time,

Transportation Director Goodwin advised that we are looking into buying Denver

Boots.



Coroner?s Office:



Councilor McDaniel expressed his concerns regarding the salary of the

coroner. He stated that the coroner is only making $45,000.00 a year. He said

that he thinks the Coroner?s salary should be raised by $5,000.00; then, made a

request for this amount to be put on the add/delete list. He said that the

Coroner also wants a vehicle and a new employee.



Mr. James Dunnavant, Coroner, addressed the committee by stating that he

needs another employee in the office, because the current employees do not get

more than two or three days off at a time, and they choose a time that is

convenient for the office.



He said that we are also going to have to address the situation with the

GBI Crime Lab, because as of January 1, 2004, they are no longer going to be

transporting bodies to Atlanta. He advised the City is going to have to assume

that responsibility. He explained that the following counties have agreed to

pay $150.00 each time for them to bring the bodies to Columbus and we would

transport them to Atlanta and back to Columbus, and they would pick the bodies

up from here: Harris, Talbot, Meriwether and Webster; Harris County has not be

confirmed yet.



*** *** ***



Clerk of Superior Court:



At this time, Chairperson Turner Pugh provided an update regarding the

Judicial Administrative Technician III position in the Clerk of Superior

Court. She advised that the employee that currently holds the position has

been there for six months, and the previous employee had been in that position

for two years and that person has been promoted to a vacant G-6 position.



*** *** ***



Coroner?s Office:



Mayor Poydasheff suggested that the Coroner?s salary increase by $3,000.00

and instead of a part-time employee, adding a full-time employee. He said when

we deal with part-time employees; we may not be able to rely on that person

versus a full-time employee. Coroner Dunnavant agreed with this

consideration.



City Manager Cavezza provide a slide projection regarding the State

mandates of bodies that must be transported in the outlined categories. He

then outlined three recommendations for the committee to consider. City

Manager Cavezza proposed that we go with the flat rate of $33,568.00 for a

part-time driver. He said the full-time rate would be $40,364.00, which does

not include the van; this would run the amount up to approximately $57,300.00

for full-time.



There was continued discussion on this matter with various committee

members expressing their views and with Coroner Dunnavant responding to

questions.



Councilor Woodson suggested the Coroner?s salary increase by $5,000. and

allow one part-time position.



Chairperson Turner Pugh pointed out that we have two items on the

add/delete list and are as follows: (1) Increase the salary of the Coroner by

$3,000.00 and allow one full-time position and (2) Increase the salary of the

Coroner by $5,000.00 and allow one part-time position.



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NOTE: The committee took a lunch break at this point with the time being 12:30

p.m. This meeting reconvened at 12:58 p.m.

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***------------------------------------------



City Manager Cavezza called attention to the reclassification request of

the Assistant Director of the Trade Center. Finance Director Love advised the

increase would be $1,593.00

Trade Center 0753



o Trade Center Assistant Director of Trade Center (G-11) to Assistant

Director of Trade Center (G-12)



ADD/DELETE LIST:



With there being no other business to address, the Budget Review Committee

then took a vote on the add/delete list.



GENERAL FUND



Item #1: Delete funding for LOST Election ? ($100,000.)



Councilor McDaniel moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Allen and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.

Item #2: Health Department & Utilities - $8,764.



Councilor McDaniel moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Allen and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



Item #3: Add 12 Firefighter/EMS positions for Station #12 effective April

1st - $133,390.



Councilor Woodson moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



Item #4: Coroner funding - $33,568



Assistant Finance Director Cole suggested that this item be voted on

towards the end of the list.



Item #5: Salary increase for Assistant City Attorney ? tie to Senior

Assistant Solicitor Position - $4,959



Councilor Suber moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

by a vote of eight to one with Councilor Allen voting no and all other members

present for this meeting voting yes.



Item #6: Delete reclassification of Inspections & Codes Division Manager

G13 to G14 ? ($1,975)



Item #7: Delete reclassification of Community & Economic Development

Director G15 to G14 - $6,249



Councilor Suber moved approval that Items 6 & 7 be deleted. Seconded by

Councilor McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members present for

this meeting.



Item #8: Add $10,000 to Human Resources budget for fingerprinting -

$10,000.



Councilor Suber moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



Item #9: Additional 1% pay increase for employees - $418,443



Councilor McDaniel moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.





Item #10: Additional .5% pay increase for retirees - $52,226



Councilor Suber moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



Item #11: Increase Transfer-Out for E-911 (Pay increase) - $7,993



Item #12: Increase Transfer-Out for Civic Center (Pay increase) - $4,490



Councilor Suber moved approval of Items #11 & 12. Seconded by Councilor

Woodson and carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



Item #4: Coroner Funding:



Option 1: Salary Increase of $3,000. for the Coroner, one full-time

position and the van - $60,364.



Option 2: Salary Increase of $5,000. for the Coroner, one part-time

position and the van - $36,568



Assistant Finance Director Cole explained that if Option #1 is approved,

we would delete the part-time position, which is currently in the budget.

Councilor Woodson moved approval of Option #2. Seconded by Councilor

McDaniel.



Councilor Allen made a substitute motion to approve a salary increase of

$3,000.00 and one part-time position with the van. Seconded by Councilor

Hunter and carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.

It was determined that the cost would be approximately $36,568.00.



GENERAL FUND - REVENUE



Item #13: Increase Occupation Tax Revenue - $900,000.



Item #14: Increase Real Estate Transfer Fees - $198,000.



Item #15: Reduce General Fund Programmed Fund Balance ? ($1,098,000.)



Financial Planning Division Manager Joe Riddle advised that the net change

is $581,107.00. instead of the $578,107 as listed.









SEWER FUND



Item #16: Additional 1% pay increase for employees - $10,579



Item #17: Reduce Transfer-Out to Capital Projects Fund ? ($10,579)



PAVING FUND



Item #18: Additional 1% pay increase for employees - $24,989



Item #19: Increase Transfer-Out to CIP - $800,872.



Item #20: Add Engineering Director Position Salary and Benefits - $74,065.



Councilor Suber moved approval of Items #13 - 20. Seconded by Councilor

McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



PAVING FUND - REVENUE



Item #21: .25 mill tax millage increase for resurfacing of roads -

$800,872.



Item #22: Use of fund balance - $99,054.



Councilor Suber moved approval of Items #21 & 22. Seconded by Councilor

McDaniel and carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



INTEGRATED WASTE FUND



Item #23: Additional 1% pay increase for employees - $16,663.



Item #24: Reduce Transfer-Out to Capital Projects ? ($16,663.)



Councilor Woodson moved approval of Items #23 & 24. Seconded by Councilor

Suber and carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



EMERGENCY TELEPHONE (E-911) FUND



Item #25: Additional 1% pay increase for employees - $7,993.



Councilor Suber moved approval. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.





EMERGENCY TELEPHONE (E-911) FUND - REVENUE



Item #26: Transfer-In from General Fund ? $7,993.



Councilor Allen moved approval. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



TRANSPORTATION (METRA) FUND



Item #27: Additional 1% Pay increase for employees - $13,659.



Councilor Woodson moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Hunter and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



PARKING MANAGEMENT FUND



Item #28: Additional 1% Pay increase for employees - $580.



Councilor Woodson moved approval. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



PARKING MANAGEMENT FUND - REVENUE



Item #29: Increase Parking Fee Revenue - $580.



Councilor Woodson moved approval. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



TRADE CENTER FUND



Item #30: Additional 1% Pay increase for employees - $3,955.



Councilor Allen moved approval. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



TRADE CENTER FUND - REVENUE



Item #31: Increase Miscellaneous Revenue - $3,955.



Councilor Allen moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Woodson and carried

unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.





CIVIC CENTER FUND



Item #32: Additional 1% Pay increase for employees - $4,490.



Councilor Allen moved approval. Seconded by Councilor McDaniel and

carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



CIVIC CENTER FUND - REVENUE



Item #33: Transfer-In from General Fund - $4,490.



Councilor Woodson moved approval. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried

unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.



*** *** ***



Software Packages:



Councilor Davis asked if we could get the IT department to create some of

the software packages and save the City some money. City Manager Cavezza

advised that we are doing that. He said that we could bring Mr. Charles Tate,

Director of IT, to talk about how it is done.



*** *** ***



BUDGET ORDINANCE:



City Manager Cavezza advised that the budget ordinance would be on first

reading on June 3, 2003.



*** *** ***



EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM:



City Manager Cavezza advised that we have put together an employee

recognition program. He briefly explained the concept of this program.



*** *** ***



There being no other business to discuss, this meeting adjourned at 1:33 p.m.





______________________

Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council