City Of Albion

City Council Study Session

November 6, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Joseph Domingo opened the study session at 6:30 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Lenn Reid (2), William Wheaton (4), Cheryl Krause (5), Andrew French (6) and Mayor Joseph Domingo. Maurice Barnes (1) was absent and Garrett Brown (3) arrived at 6:35 p.m.

Administration: Sheryl L. Mitchell, City Manager, Jill Domingo, City Clerk, Tom Mead, Finance Director, Scott Kipp, Public Safety Chief and Gina Farrag, City Attorney.

III.	ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION

A. General Fund and Positions

City Manager Mitchell discussed the general fund budget stating the general fund revenue had taken a drop from 2013 to 2014, due primarily to an approximate $100,000 revenue shortfall for 2014 due to the Guardian Fiberglass Tax Tribunal, Fire Truck purchase, and Property Tax decline. The 2015 budget reflects that the millage rates will remain the same from 2014. The 2015 general fund budget is currently projecting a $92,462 deficit. City Manager Mitchell also stated that in 2015 we will be saving about a half of one percent on health insurance due to tentative agreements with the unions. Also, the 2015 budget recommendation reflects the employees receiving a one (1%) percent pay increase. In order to increase revenues and cover administrative costs, she is recommending to increase the fees charged for some services to citizens and the administrative costs that are passed on to other agencies and funds for administrative support and accounting services provided by the City’s staff.

City Manager Mitchell is recommending to reorganize the following areas:

1.	The Administrative & Human Resource position would become a Manager and the newly created Administrative Support Services position in the Finance Department will be an indirect report to the Administrative and Human Resource Manager.

2.	Created a new title - from Administrative Clerk–DPS to an Administrative Support Services position that would expand the administrative services provided to include supporting Public Safety, Code Enforcement, Recreation, Human Resources, and the City Manager.

3.	Make the Interim Department of Public Services Director the Director.

4.	Create a Deputy Director of Public Services and eliminate two (2) positions - the Superintendent of Utilities and Superintendent of Public Works positions.

5. Combine the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement into a single Planning & Building department, moving the hourly code enforcement position into with a salaried Director position.

6. The letter of agreement allowing the Clerk to assume payroll responsibilities ends on December 31, 2014. In order to transfer back this responsibility, it is recommended to create a new accountant position in the Finance Department. The positions in Finance are proposed to be reclassified as Accountant Levels I, II, and III, depending on their levels of cross-training. The cost will be a 75/25 split between the Finance Department and the Clerk’s budget for the newly created position.

These positions would receive a 1% pay increase, along with a realignment of the salaries to reflect the increase in duties and responsibilities. The Director of Public Services position is proposed to be effective on January 1, 2015. For the other positions impacted by the proposed reorganization, the salary change would not go into effect until April of 2015. City Manager Mitchell stated she will first be updating all job descriptions beginning in January and starting will the management staff. She will also be setting performance evaluations and benchmarks for all employees.

Comments were received from Council Members Brown, French, Reid, Krause and Wheaton, Mayor Domingo, City Manager Mitchell, Chief Kipp and Finance Director Mead.

IV.	ADJOURNMENT

Wheaton moved, Brown supported, CARRIED, to adjourn the Study Session.

(7-0, vv).

Mayor Domingo adjourned the Study Session at 8:39 p.m.

____________	_________________________

date	Jill Domingo

City Clerk