MINUTES 
       FY2013 BUDGET REVIEW   
 COMMITTEE MEETING   
 May 15, 2012       
 Members Present: Chairperson Skip Henderson and Councilors Mike Baker, Glenn    
 Davis, Bruce Huff, Charles McDaniel, Jr., Judy W. Thomas, and Evelyn Woodson    
 were present. Also present were City Manager Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney    
 Clifton Fay, Deputy City Managers David Arrington and Lisa Goodwin, and Finance    
 Director Pam Hodge, and Clerk of Council Tiny B. Washington.         
 Councilor Jerry Barnes took his seat at 9:08 a.m.   
 Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh took her seat at 9:09 a.m.   
 Councilor R. Gary Allen took his seat at 9:10 a.m.        
 Members Absent:  No one was absent.               
 Call to Order:  Chairperson Henderson called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.    
 in the Council Chambers, Plaza Level, of the Government Center.             
     Chairperson Henderson explained that we have very few dates in this month    
 where we have an opportunity to review the budget. He said if we find ourselves    
 running short on time, we would schedule another meeting date toward to then of    
 the month.        
     Councilor Thomas pointed out that the flags around the building are at    
 half-staff for Peace Officers? Memorial Day. She said here in Columbus,    
 Georgia, we lost three retired officers over the weekend.        
 OVERVIEW:       
     Finance Director Pam Hodge explained that the schedule has been changed    
 because the Police Department and the Sheriff?s Department are participating in    
 the funerals of public safety personnel we lost over the weekend. She said the    
 Tuesday, May 22, 2012 budget review meeting has been changed to Monday, May 21,    
 2012 at 9:00 a.m., and the last scheduled date is May 29, 2012.       
     Ms. Hodge pointed out that included in packets provided to members of    
 Council are copies of presentations for today as well as the integrated waste    
 recommended fee increases for non-residential, and responses to questions from    
 Council from the last meeting.        
 RECOMMENDED BUDGET:   
 Expenditures    $266,881,380   
 Revenues              $259,978,307   
 Use of Fund Balances   $   6,903,073   
 - General Fund    $6,430,848   
 - METRA              $   131,603   
 - Trade Center    $  340,622       
 ASSUMPTIONS   
 No change in the Millage Rates from FY12   
 USD #1  =  17.88 mills   
 USD #2  =  11.90 mills   
 USD #4  =  11.00 mills   
 2.00% Increase in the Digest   
 96% Collection Rate   
 No subsidy to Integrated Waste Fund or Civic Center   
 Subsidies to E911, Golf Courses, Parking Management and Naval Museum   
 Value of one mill (Operating)  $4,353,252   
 Value of one mill (Debt)  $4,814,414   
 Pay Plan advancement / adjustment included as Pension Reform offset    
 COLA included of 0.50% for active employees and 0.25% for retirees effective    
 January 5, 2013   
 Health Insurance - City increase of $250 ($5,400 to $5,650) and Employees    
 premium increases in January 2013    
 $0 included for post employment retiree benefits       
 MILLAGE SUMMARY   
 	USD #1	USD #2	USD #4   
 Total Gen and Urban	8.18	6.13	5.98   
 METRA	0.82	0.82	0.82   
 Total Subject to cap	9.00	6.95	6.80   
 Stormwater (Sewer)	1.24	0.20	N/A   
 Paving	3.44	0.55	N/A   
 Medical Center	3.00	3.00	3.00   
 Economic Development	0.25	0.25	0.25   
 Debt Service	0.95	0.95	0.95   
 TOTAL	17.88	11.90	11.00       
 FY13 OPERATING BUDGET BY FUND:       
 General ? 57.82%     Other LOST ? 13.11%   
 Stormwater ? 1.91%    Paving ? 5.44%   
 Medical Center ? 5.12%    Integrated Waste ? 3.82%   
 E-911 ? 1.33%     Economic Development ? 0.39%   
 Debt Service ? 4.49%    Transportation ? 2.24%   
 Parking Management ? 0.14%   Trade Center ? 1.07%   
 Bull Creek ? 0.55%    Oxbow Creek ? 0.20%   
 Civic Center ? 2.37%       
 FY13 REVENUES       
 General Property Tax ? 28.49%   Intergovernmental ? 1.22%   
 Investment Income ? 0.53%   Franchise Fees ? 7.23%   
 License & Permits ? 0.94%   Miscellaneous ? 1.07%   
 Business & Other Taxes ? 8.66%  Sales & Use Taxes ? 28.49%   
 Transfers In ? 4.80%    Fund Balance ? 2.58%   
 Charges for Service ? 14.16%   Fines & Forfeitures ? 1.82%       
 FY13 EXPENDITURES       
 Recreation & Culture ? 7.82%   Public Services ? 10.42%   
 Community Service ? 10.03%   Management Operations ? 6.81%   
 Mass Transit ? 2.25%    Debt Service ? 4.65%   
 Non-Departmental ? 7.79%   Capital Improvements ? 3.27%   
 Statutory, Boards & Commissions ? 1.54% Criminals Justice ? 5.65%    
 Public Safety ? 39.77%           
 FY13 OPERATING BUDGET BY TYPE       
 Personnel Services ? 57.37%   Operating ? 36.39   
 Capital ? 2.68%     2% Pay Adjustment ? 0.87%   
 CIP ? 2.69%       
 2009 OTHER LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX       
 Revenues   $35,000,000   
 Expenditures  $35,000,000   
 Difference   $0   
 2009 Other LOST Fund ? accounts for Other Local Option Sales Tax (OLOST), 70%    
 allocated to Public Safety, 30% allocated to Infrastructure.       
 2009 OTHER LOST ? Public Safety       
 Personnel    $13,625,646   (55.6%)   
 Operating   $  1,893,766   (7.7%)   
 Capital   $  4,503,998   (18.4%)   
 Debt    $     117,998   (0.5%)   
 Reserve   $  3,500,000   (14.3%)   
 Transfer   $     858,592   (3.5%)   
 	    $24,500,00       
     2009 OTHER LOST ? PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL       
 Current Personnel   
 Police Department   
     - 100 Police Officers   
     - 9 E-911 Technicians   
 Solicitor General   
     - 2 Asst. Solicitor Generals   
     - 1 Deputy Clerk   
 Muscogee County Prison   
     - 2 Correctional Officers   
     - 1 Sergeant   
 Fire Department   
     - 6 Firefighters   
 District Attorney   
           - 1 Asst. District Attorney   
 Municipal Court Clerk   
     - 1 Senior Deputy Clerk   
     - 1 Deputy Clerk II   
 Marshal    
     - 5 Deputy Officers   
 Sheriff   
     - 10 Deputy Officers   
     - 2 Sergeants   
     - 9 Correctional Officers   
     - 2 Medical Technicians   
     - 2 Counselors   
 Recorder?s Court   
     - 2 Judicial Admin Technicians   
 Crime Prevention/Intervention   
     - Director   
 Probate Court   
     - 1 Deputy Clerk   
 $3,000 Annual Supplement for sworn Public Safety Officers in Public Safety    
 Departments.       
     ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL       
 Marshal   
     - Junior Marshal Program Director   
 Crime Prevention/Parks & Recreation-Boxwood   
     - 1 Recreation Specialist   
     - 2 PT Recreation Center Leaders   
 Juvenile Drug Court   
     - Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator       
     Several members of Council and Mayor Tomlinson discussed the funding for    
 these items during which Councilor Thomas requested to place these items on the    
 Add/Delete list.           
     PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATING       
 Crime Prevention Program Grants $740,076   
 Crime Prevention Administration $12,000   
 Parks & Recreation ? Boxwood $18,240   
 Police Department $431,360   
 Fire Department $100,000   
 State Court Solicitor $14,000   
 Public Defender $124,974 (include one existing and one additional contract    
 public defender)   
 Cost Allocation/Risk Mgmt/Worker?s Comp $453,116       
     Councilor Thomas requested to delete the Parks & Recreation -Boxwood    
 $18,000, move the Fire Department as well as $24,500 for the Police Department    
 to the 30% Infrastructure side of the LOST.  She also requested to delete the    
 State Court Solicitor?s funding.            
     PUBLIC SAFET CAPITAL       
 Police Department $2,221,000   
     - 30 Pursuit vehicles w/tech packages   
     - 15 Unmarked Police Vehicles   
     - 5 Harley Davidson Motorcycle with radar   
     - 4 Full Size SUVs   
     - In-car video system replacements   
 Fire Department $784,000   
     - EMS Software/Hardware Package   
     - 1 Ambulance   
     - 1 Engine   
     - 2 Sedans   
 Muscogee County Prison $100,000   
     - Rack Oven Replacement   
     - Heavy Duty Mixer Replacement   
     - Heavy Duty Gas Grill Replacement   
     - Detail Turn-out Building   
 Marshal $131,700   
     - 2 Pursuit Vehicles w/tech packages   
     - Protective Body Armor   
     - In-car Video System   
 Sheriff $1,042,298   
     - 13 Pursuit Vehicles w/technology packages   
     - 7 non-pursuit vehicles   
     - 1 SUV   
     - Inmate Van Replacement   
     - Jail Kitchen Dishwasher   
     - Jail Kitchen Tilting Kettle   
     - Jail Kitchen Steamer   
     - 165 Protective Body Armor   
 Coroner $25,000   
     - 1 SUV   
 Recorder?s Court $200,000   
 - E-Ticketing Printing System   
 Debt Service $117,998   
 Reserve $3,500,000   
     - $3,000,000 Jail Pre-construction cost/design   
     - $500,000 Future Jail Personnel   
 Transfer to E911 Fund  $858,592           
     Councilor Thomas made some comments about the Transfer to E911 Fund, to    
 which Ms. Hodge responded that she could provide the details on additional    
 expenditures and reduction in revenues.        
     INTRASTRUCTURE CIP       
 30% Infrastructure $10,500,000   
     - Roads/Bridges $3,305,584   
     - Flood Abatement/Stormwater $750,000   
     - Technology Improvements $250,000   
     - Facility Improvement $800,000   
     - Debt Service $5,274,723   
     - Cost Allocation $44,638   
     - Engineering ? 1 Project Engineer $75,055       
 Councilor Henderson requested that Ms. Hodge include the formula in the cost    
 allocation as requested by Councilor Allen.        
 ***   ***   ***       
 PARKS & RECREATION:       
     Dr. James Worsley came forward and made the following presentation. He also    
 explained that what is being handed out to Council is a draft copy of the    
 natatorium business plan and a copy of today?s presentation, with attach    
 information sheet:       
 DIVISIONS WITHIN PARKS & RECREATION   
    PARKS & RECREATION REQUESTED BUDGET       
 FY13 Budget $10,516,454   
 - Personnel Services $7,314,990   
 - Operating $3,201,474   
 - Capital Outlay       
 DEPARTMENT CHALLENGES- Natatorium       
 Natatorium Review   
 MAYOR?S BUDGET   
 FY13 (April-June)   
     - Proposed 89 hour operational week   
     - Personnel Services - $119,847   
     - Operations - $193,665   
     - Natatorium Budget Total - $313,512   
     - Budget Reduced by $226,461   
       i.  PT Administrative Clerks   
 ii.  PT Lead Concessionaires   
 iii. PT Lifeguards & Concessionaires        
 NATATORIUM REVIEW   
 2 ADDITIONAL Natatorium Options   
 OPTION 1   
 Proceed with a 72-hour operational week   
 FY13 (April ? June)   
 	 Projected Expenditures - $264,258   
 	 Projected Revenue - $81,000   
 	 Projected Deficit - $183,258    	   
 OPTION 2   
 	Proceed with a 60-hour operational week   
 	FY13 (April-June)   
 	Projected Expenditures - $233,154   
 	Projected Revenue - $70,000   
 	Projected Deficit - $163,154       
     Upon conclusion of Dr. Worsley?s presentation, he responded to questions    
 and comments from members of Council.        
 ***      ***      ***       
 INTERNAL AUDITOR       
     Mr. John Redmond, Internal Auditor came forward and presented the following    
 regarding his budget requests:       
 FY2013 PROPOSED BUDGET:       
 Proposed Budget Additions   
 ?  Add one additional Internal Auditor and related benefits - $66,180   
 ?  Continuing Professional Education & Related Travel - $2,002   
 ?  Office Supplies and Reference Materials - $1,600   
 ?  Local Mileage Reimbursement - $3,500   
 ?  Total $170,682 Internal Audit    
 ?  Total $266,881,380 City   
 ?  0.064 % of Total City Budget   
 ?  Normal Internal Auditing Budget is 0.25% to .50% of Organizational Budget       
 Why More Audit Staff?   
 ?  To provide the necessary coverage to complete the Master Audit Plan within a    
 5-6 year cycle   
 ?  Prevent fraud and theft of city assets   
 ?  Enhance organizational efficiency   
 ?  Evaluate and recommend improved system of internal control   
 ?  During my interview process, Councilors stated that once I was on board and    
 established at audit plan, resources would be provided for additional audit    
 staffing   
 ?  Numerous comments by City Councilors acknowledging the need for additional    
 internal audit staff.   
 ?  Management Letter from External Auditors dated December 6, 2011 stating:    
 ?Presently, the Consolidated Government has an Internal audit staff consisting    
 of one individual.  In our opinion, and compared to other municipalities,    
 additional staff should be hired.  Adequate staff should be in place to provide    
 monitoring and inspection of each area of the Consolidated Government on a    
 regular and on-going basis. The cost of hiring additional personnel would be    
 offset by increased accountability and improved operational efficiency. We    
 believe that implementing these items will enhance the overall transparency of    
 the Consolidated Government to its citizens.?       
     Mr. Redmond, at the request of Councilor Henderson further explained that    
 he has been here (employed with the city) for over four years and completed    
 four departmental audits and 35 payroll audits that have resulted in improved    
 efficiencies. He said anytime we can improve the controls and lessen the    
 likelihood of theft or fraud in our government, we are much better off    
 financially.        
     Following Mr. Redmond?s presentation, several members of Council commended    
 him for the work he has done and continues to do.       
 ***      ***      ***       
 COLUMBUS FIRE & EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (Fire & EMS)       
    Chief Jeff Meyer came forward and made the following presentation:       
 2013 BUDGET CHANGES   
 FY 13 Budget Request  $24,669,941   
 1. Current budget less than $317,011 from FY11 Budget       
 General Operating Budget Unchanged from FY 2012 Budget with the following    
 exceptions:   
 Bi-annual promotion process decrease $145,000    
 Increases in utilities   $    7,253   
 Other Operating decreases  $       168       
 Five-Year FIRE/EMS Responses & Revenue Collections   
 Emergency Responses ? 27.3% Increase       
 Revenue Increase 32%   
 Future Budget Considerations   
 Future Growth   
 Operating Budget   
 Increase Call Volume   
 Training Complex   
 Replacement Emergency Vehicle   
 Replacement Equipment   
 Swift Water Equipment & Training       
 Training Complex   
     Classrooms and Offices   
 	      Logistics Facility   
 	      Four Story Burn Tower   
 	      Rescue Tower   
 	      Driving Course   
 	      CPAT Building   
 	      Natural Gas Simulator   
 	      Pump Test Pit   
 	      Fitness Track   
 	      Flammable Fuel Pit       
 Total Cost Estimate   $10,835,000       
 Chief Meyer showed the Council a few pictures of the current training facility,    
 highlighting specifics of the building with regard to the year it was    
 constructed, repairs conducted over the years, current condition of the    
 building, and future of the training facility.  He said part of the strategic    
 plan is to incorporate all of the training into one site that would include    
 moving to a more modern way of training. He said this is not a request for this    
 year but it is something to think about for the future.            
 Whitewater Project Rescue Equipment       
     Chief Meyers pointed out that this is not included in the FY2013 budget and    
 is requesting it be added, if Council sees fit. Following a few minutes of    
 discussion with regard to funding, Councilor Henderson requested to add the    
 request of Chief Meyer to the Add/Delete Budget list.       
 Capital Projects   
 ***      ***      ***       
 MUSCOGEE COUNTY PRISON:        
     Warden Dwight Hamrick, Muscogee County Prison (MCP), came forward and    
 stated that with regard to MCP general fund, personnel services is down 0.21%    
 and operating is up .076%. He said he is not asking for any additional    
 personnel at this time but the total operational request is $11,586, which is    
 an overall increase for utilities, fuel, and printing services. He said last    
 October there was a surprise audit from Georgia Department of Corrections,    
 Office of Audit and Compliance in which the MCP did not fare very well, with 63    
 findings that translated to 63 policy violations. He said there were also 34    
 recommendations. He also explained that last week?s audit they had 11 findings    
 and said recommendations.        
     Warden Hamrick said there are kitchen equipment that are non-repairable    
 that have been sitting in the kitchen for over nine years. He provided some    
 additional information on the age of the equipment as well as the amount of    
 money that has been paid to repair said equipment, as well as the needed    
 equipment for the kitchen. Warden Hamrick also provided information on an    
 outside turnout (detail) building that has been requested in previous budget    
 years. He said $15,000 was approved for this building in FY2012 but the    
 building actually cost $50,000. The $15,000 only covered the expense for the    
 architect to draw it up; He said the wiring to the building was cut; the    
 building was destroyed and hauled away which made the electronic gates    
 inoperable. He said a pre-fabricated building was brought in and set on    
 concrete blocks for officers to use to keep up with inmates accountability but    
 the windows to this building has since rotted and wind comes into the building.    
 Responding to a question from Councilor Henderson, Warden Hamrick said the    
 request for this building is currently in the budget to be funded from the LOST.       
     Warden Hamrick also requested a walk-through metal detector, a cell phone    
 detection system, and a Boss Chair. Following some additional discussion    
 regarding Warden Hamrick?s requests, Councilor Barnes requested to place these    
 items on the add/delete list.       
 ***      ***      ***       
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:       
     Mr. Charles Tate, Director, Information Technology came forward and stated    
 that he does not have a presentation but he has six positions he would like to    
 have the salaries looked at. He said these are positions where he has had the    
 greatest turnover and he is willing to give up a position he currently has    
 vacant to cover the cost of the salaries in the budget.        
     Responding to a question from Councilor Thomas, Mr. Tate said over the    
 years he has had to lay people off, move positions, and try to do creative    
 management without adding people on.        
     Mayor Tomlinson pointed out that the positions mentioned by Mr. Tate has    
 been turned over to University of Georgia but has not come back. She further    
 commented on departments request for pay adjustments and reclassifications.       
     Following additional discussion by Council, Mayor Tomlinson, and Mr. Tate,    
 Councilor Woodson requested to place Mr. Tate?s requests on the add/delete    
 list, but she was informed that these positions are already included in the    
 recommended budget.        
     Councilor Henderson requested a list of funded but unfilled positions and    
 how long they have been unfilled.        
     Mr. Tate made some additional comments about concerns some members of    
 Council have regarding the allocation of the Other Local Option Sales Tax, with    
 Council requesting to move some of the public safety items over to the    
 infrastructure side of the LOST.        
 ***      ***      ***       
 MARSHAL DEPARTMENT:       
     Cpt. Lockette came forward and addressed the Council on behalf of Marshal    
 Countryman, who was out of town on training. Cpt. Lockette provided some    
 background information on the establishment of the Marshal?s Office, it?s    
 primary functions, as well as numbers of processes conducted in the last month.    
 He said their biggest challenge for the budget year is the Junior Marshal    
 Program that needs to be funded. He pointed out that the Crime Prevention Board    
 has not made a decision as yet as to funding for this program, but he    
 appreciates Council considerations in providing funding to this program. Cpt.    
 Lockette also made references to having a director in place to make sure the    
 program functions correctly.        
     Following Cpt. Lockette?s presentation, he responded to questions from    
 members of Council regarding sworn personnel salaries increase, overtime pay    
 for sworn personnel, and lateral promotion.        
     Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked Clifton Fay to provide the Council with    
 information that outlines salaries for departmental transfers.       
 ***   ***   ***       
 CORONER:       
     Mr. Bill Thrower came forward and stated that he is appreciative of the    
 Budget Review Committee for approving the purchase of one new vehicle as well    
 as an increase in the operating budget. He said the only addition he is    
 requesting is consideration for another vehicle to replace an older Malibu    
 because of mechanical trouble with the cranking device, which goes out on a    
 regular basis.        
     In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh, Ms. Hodge said    
 she would go back and look at the capital replacement program but she do    
 believe he had one vehicle that met the miles and years of service for    
 replacement, which was included in the budget. She said she would check on the    
 Malibu, but she does not believe it was schedule for replacement at this time.    
 She said when looking as replacement, we look at mileage, age, maintenance    
 schedule, and cost.        
     Mr. Thrower also pointed out that the size of the Malibu does not    
 accommodate the materials and equipment that coroners are required to carry    
 while out in the field. He said the trunk is very small and they have to carry    
 things in the back seat and this may become a safety issue for the driver    
 and/or passenger.            
     Following additional discussions regarding Mr. Thrower?s request, Councilor    
 Thomas then made a request to place the vehicle (SUV) requested by Mr. Thrower    
 on the add/delete list.            
 ***   ***   ***       
 CRIME PREVENTION:       
     Mr. Seth Brown, Crime Prevention Board Director came forward and explained    
 to the budget committee that 90% of his budget goes towards programming or    
 grant funded programs ($740,000) and the rest is ordinary office expense and    
 salary for the director. He then provided the committee with an update of the    
 program to date to include the number of organizations receiving funds and the    
 type of programs funded, working with other city departments, and the status of    
 the application from the Junior Marshal?s Program.        
     Following the presentation by Mr. Brown, he responded to questions and    
 comments from members of Council/budget committee.          
     Dr. Robert Wright, Chairperson for the Crime Prevention Board also came    
 forward and made a few comments about the Crime Prevention Program and goals of    
 the program moving forward.       
 ***   ***   ***       
 JUVENILE COURT/JUVENILE DRUG COURT:       
    Judge Warner Kennon came forward and thanked the Budget Committee and the    
 City for their support. He then turn the presentation over to Ms. Mary Bodie,    
 who provided an overview and the budget of the Juvenile Court and Juvenile Drug    
 Court. She also provided statistics as to the success of the program. She    
 explained that the Drug Court has been operational since October 2001 and all    
 the positions have been grant funded under federal grants through the U.S.    
 Department of Justice under Justice Programs. She said when she came onto the    
 program in July 2006, that grant had run out and they were in dire need of    
 trying to get the program funded. She said in July 2007, they were able to get    
 most of the staff funded through the city and she mentioned to the city that    
 she would continue to write grants to keep the Drug Court Program Director    
 position funded, which she had done and the program director position has been    
 funded this way for 11 years. She said when the federal grant expired in 2006,    
 the program director position was funded by way of a state grant through the    
 Judicial Counsel of Accountability Courts and every year that grant has reduced    
 in allocation amounts.        
     Ms. Bodie provided some additional information with regard to funding and    
 grant allocations, after which she requested the budget committee provide    
 funding for the Drug Court Program Director?s position. She said this is the    
 last position in the Drug Court that is grant funded- all other positions are    
 funded through the city. She also pointed out that the Juvenile Drug Court    
 would be receiving a national recognition over the next few months.        
     Responding to a question from Councilor Huff, Ms. Bodie said the salary for    
 the Drug Court Program Director (without benefits) is $38,574.00. Mayor    
 Tomlinson then pointed out that in the budget, this position is funded at    
 $55,331 (this includes benefits and pension impact).        
     Councilor Henderson said this is part of the other lost funds we asked to    
 be put on the delete list to send back to the crime prevention board to be    
 vetted to make sure it is acceptable.        
     Councilor Huff said if the Crime Prevention Board does not fund this    
 position, he would like for it to be added back to the City?s budget. After    
 Mayor Tomlinson explained that the Crime Prevention Board would not be able to    
 make a decision before this budget proceeding is complete, Councilor Huff then    
 requested to add the position of the director of the Juvenile Court back to the    
 city?s budget.        
 ***   ***   ***       
 PUBLIC DEFENDER:       
     Mr. Robert Wadkins, Public defender, came forward and explained that they    
 are the people who provide the checks and balances with the judges, which    
 guarantee the indigent people of this community a fair trial. He said they are    
 paid to be adversarial to Law Enforcement, Judges, and District Attorneys and    
 they appreciate what this Council has done and hope that they will adopt the    
 committee?s recommendations. Mr. Wadkins then provided some additional    
 information with regard to supplements, and the reason being is that they have    
 to see everyone that comes into the jail, within 72 hours ? make recommendation    
 to the drug court and mental health courts and remain with the individuals    
 until these courts have completed their jobs. He said the DA gets $50,000.00 in    
 supplements to do with as she sees fit to handle these things, even though we    
 (Public Defenfer?s Office) keep lawyers in the drug and mental health courts,    
 and participate in the process for the committee to approve or disapprove as    
 well as keeping investigators in the courts. He said his office does not    
 received a supplement and his lawyers are now stretched between two mental    
 health courts that runs a great deal of time, and a drug court that has gotten    
 very large and successful over time and they (Public Defender?s Office) are a    
 big part of that. He said their caseload has also increased and he thinks they    
 should receive the same amount to go into these special courts as the DA    
 because they do at least the same amount of work, if not more. He said he knows    
 they probably would not receive this funding this budget cycle but he hope the    
 Council would keep this in mind for the future because he does not know how    
 much longer they (Public Defender attorneys) can go without being reimbursed.        
     Mayor Pro Tem Turner Pugh asked how many Assistant DA?s we have, how much    
 is the supplement each of them receive, what is the $50,000.00 base on vs. how    
 many public defenders we have and what is their salaries? Mr. Wadkins then    
 provided an explanation of the funding the Public Defender?s Office receive    
 from other counties in the circuit, stating that the counties pay a percentage    
 base on the caseload. He said there was never any money provided to them in    
 these alternative courts. He said a few years the Council voted to provide them    
 with $16,000.00 in supplements but he has not seen any of it. Councilor    
 Henderson said they will follow-up on the missing supplement funding.       
 ***      ***      ***       
 CITY ATTORNEY:       
     City Attorney Fay pointed out that there is a handout being distributed    
 around Council?s table. He proceeded with his presentation pointing out that    
 his office has lost a lawyer and a paralegal in the last 12 months, but the    
 paralegal spot has since been filled at a Grade 15, that will be placed in the    
 budget ordinance to be formally reclassified at the pay grade 15. He pointed    
 out some information regarding the pay scale for Augusta/Richmond County,    
 Georgia and then requested that Council consider an increase for Mrs.    
 Radcliff?s position, based on her 20+ years of services of an additional    
 $1726.00 that will go to a (grade) 14F on the pay scale. He said he is not    
 asking for any capital equipment or car allowances, but what he is asking is    
 that the lawyers in the office be paid in a comparable manner as similar size    
 cities in Georgia. He said he hope this Council would also consider putting    
 Mrs. Sheftall?s pay grade at a 25D; pay the Assistant City Attorney just as    
 they pay the Deputy City Manager; and he is also asking for a 29A for his    
 position which is less than they pay the City Manager here or the City Attorney    
 in Augusta.        
     Upon completion of City Attorney Fay?s presentation, Councilor Barnes made    
 a few comments regarding City Attorney?s Office after which he requested to add    
 the requests for City Attorney Fay and that of Mrs. Radcliff to the add/delete    
 list. Councilor Barnes said he would also like to do something for general    
 government employees as well as employees who have been with us for a while.        
     Ms. Hodge then pointed out that this is the last department presentation    
 for today and the next Budget Review Session would be on Monday, May 21 at 9:00    
 a.m. Budget Chairperson Henderson noted this is a change from Tuesday because    
 there were some conflicts with other member of Council.        
     In response to a question from Councilor Woodson, Councilor Henderson    
 explained that there are a number of items that are yet to be discussed and    
 what they will do is take an assessment and see how many to start discussing    
 after Monday?s budget meeting and depends on how far we get, we may have to    
 call another meeting for the following Monday because we will only have one    
 more and meeting with which to go through the add/delete list. He also advised    
 those (Council) with items on the add/delete list to go ahead and request any    
 additional information from staff they may need to assist in balancing out the    
 changes.        
     Councilor Henderson then requested that Ms. Hodge add some time at the end    
 of Monday?s meeting for miscellaneous issues Council may have.        
     Ms. Hodge then pointed out that the Risk Management position was already on    
 the schedule to be addressed at next Monday?s meeting.        
     There were some additional discussions with regard to future budget    
 meetings, the pension and reserve funds, pension plan, and pension plan draft    
 ordinance for discussion purposes.        
 ***      ***      ***       
     With there being no further questions/comments regarding this session of    
 the budget proposal, the meeting was adjourned with the time being 1:50 P.M.                   
 Tiny B. Washington, CMC   
 Clerk of Council   
 The Council of Columbus, Georgia        
        
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