City Council Minutes

The Special Session of March 20, 2006 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 6:07 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Robert De Witt, Ken Gates, Steve Maas, Carole Pettijohn, Stan Ponstein, Joe Sierawski and Mayor Buck.  Absent:  None

Staff present:  Tammy Butler, Assistant Finance Director; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Julie Fend, 59^th District Court Administrator; Mary Fenske, 59^th District Court Deputy Administrator; 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 City Manager Krombeen and Mayor Buck and the meeting was turned over to Treasurer/Finance Director Guinther.   

Judge Versluis reviewed the proposed FY 2006-07 for the court and probation budget.  The court and probation will maintain the current level of services with funding to be split between Grandville and Walker.  The split is based on the work load and will continue with Grandville responsible for 40% and Walker for 60%.  In the past, expenditures have been funded by the court revenues.  Judge Versluis responded to questions.  

Judge Versluis, Julie Fend, and Mary Fenske were excused.  

Treasurer/Finance Director Guinther discussed General Fund Assumptions which are reflected in the proposed budget

-        Administration

ü      Holiday gifts were eliminated

ü      Administrative labor reallocation took effect 1-01-06

ü      Market adjustments of 2.85%

ü      Health care inflation costs estimated at 6%  

-        DPW

ü      Reallocation of general fund labor

ü      Sanitation reductions:

§         Leaf pickup reduced to alternate week pickups

§         Scope of city cleanup reduced – no general trash allowed and hours are reduced slightly

§         Christmas tree pickup eliminated – only drop-off

ü      Reduce sidewalk replacement program – yearly amount included in budget is reduced but City will continue funding 100 percent of replacement costs

ü      Eliminate Assistant DPW Director position from budget  

-        Police Department

ü      Transfer 911 Dispatch Center to Wyoming effective 1-1-07 which will:

§         Eliminate 5 dispatch positions

§         Add 1.5 clerical positions

§         Eliminate 1 administrative sergeant position  

City Manager Krombeen indicated the City of Wyoming dispatch is not operating to capacity and neither is Grandville.  Wyoming has two dispatch vacancies.  Costs will be less than funding our own dispatch center.

ü      Elimination the vacant patrol officer position from the budget  

-        Miscellaneous

ü      Increase Historical 5%

ü      Continue current Park and Recreation funding level

ü      Continue limited annual furniture purchase for the library

ü      Continue current CATV funding level

ü      Continue reserve funding of Retiree Health Care

ü      Increased funding level of Defined Benefit Pension  

Budget projections were presented and discussed.  Increased revenues and expenditures are projected at 3 percent. Revenues may be impacted by a decrease in Revenue Sharing or the loss of large tax payers such as X-Rite. Budget reductions were recommended by the administrative staff, and the City Manager and Treasurer/Finance Director are recommending an increase in the tax administration fee from .5 percent to 1 percent to help offset a deficit.  A recommendation was made to designate excess fund balance for Park and Rec project funding.  

Consensus was indicated for the staff initiated reductions, administration fee increased to 1 percent, utilization of the fund balance, and keeping the millage rate at current rate of 8.454 mills.  Council Member DeWitt is opposed to increasing taxes.  

Budget line items were reviewed.  

Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to adjourn at 8:14 p.m.  

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk  

Approved by City Council:       March 27, 2006

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