City Council Minutes

The Special Session of April 18, 2005 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Robert De Witt, Ken Gates, Steve Maas (excused at 7:20 p.m.), Carole Pettijohn, Stan Ponstein (arrived at 8:30 p.m.), Joe Sierawski and Mayor Buck. Absent: None

Staff present: Tammy Butler, Assistant Finance Director; Ron Carr, Acting DPW Director; Michael Chesher, Former DPW Director; Tom Guinther, Treasurer/Finance Director; Dan Johnson, Assistant City Manager; Ken Krombeen, City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo; Deputy Police Chief; Vern Snyder, Police Chief; Harvey Veldhouse, Fire Chief; and Peter Versluis, 59^th District Court Judge.

Opening remarks were made by Mayor James Buck the meeting was turned over to Treasurer/Finance Director Guinther. He indicated the draft budget was prepared providing the current level of service.

Judge Versluis discussed the 59^th District Court and Probation projected income and expenses. The shared funds are paid by Grandville with 60 percent being billed to Walker. The percentage is determined by case load.

Judge Versluis was excused at 6:31 p.m.

Discussion on the following sections of the proposed Fiscal Year 2005-2006 budget:

§ Five-year Capital Plan

- Should the line item under General Administration for multimedia equipment in the Council Chambers remain in the budget?

- Resurfacing of the DDA parking lot east of Wilson will be funded from the DDA Parking Lot Reserve Fund

- Park and Recreation projects are a result of the Park and Recreation Master Plan which has not yet been approved

ü Need to consider a plan to fund these projects - possibly designate a portion of millage for parks (similar to the street plan)

§ General Fund

- Revenues

ü Property tax revenues increased by 3.5 percent

- Expenditures

ü Explanation of overtime in Police Department

ü Reason for large increase in fringe benefits in all departments

Continuing the current levels of expenditures will bring the Fund Balance down to approximately 15 percent of annual expenditures at the end of Fiscal Year 2005-2006. Mr. Guinther indicated the Ottawa County wastewater issue has not been resolved and that he will pursue a wastewater rate study.

City Manager Krombeen presented a request from a General Non-Union Employee for early retirement without reducing pension benefits. An early retirement “window” could impact three non-union employees. Early retirement would result in annual savings to the City in salary and fringe benefits. The draft budget does not reflect implementation of this retirement benefit.

Mr. Guinther asked for recommendations regarding the draft budget. In preparation for next year’s budget, he asked Council to consider keeping service levels the same or decreasing service levels, how the park and recreation projects should be funded. In order to meet the expenditures in the next fiscal year’s budget, cuts in personnel or big projects will need to be made, or increase the millage rate.

A work session will be scheduled for May 2, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.

Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Ponstein, CARRIED, to adjourn at 9:40 p.m.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council: April 25, 2005

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