VILLAGE OF CONSTANTINE
Budget Workshop
March 8, 2008
Council Room, 8:30 AM

President Weiss called the March 8, 2008 meeting of the Constantine Village Council to order at 8:30 AM at the Village Hall.

Present at Roll Call: Trustees Brewer, Brown, Harder, Mathers and Witek, and President Weiss.

Also present: Manager Honeysett, Treasurer Strawser and Clerk Strawser.

President Weiss asked that Manager Honeysett remove from his executive summary, “The Village annually continues the process of strategic planning.” saying we haven’t done so in two (2) years.

She also said the Governor said there would be a 4% increase in Revenue Sharing, but Manager Honeysett said he preferred to calculate conservatively since the increase is not guaranteed. Manager Honeysett led discussion based on his executive summary and budget highlights pages. He expects a 2-2.5% increase in taxable value within the Village. Manager Honeysett said the DPW and FOP contracts have not been printed and signed because they cannot find the old contracts to copy, not wishing to retype.

Trustee Brown asked that the Council consider giving raises to all elected officials. He suggested that Council member raises be a flat base rate (as current) with an increase in the additional (current) meeting pay and that meeting pay include committee and board and/or commission meetings in performance of assigned duties. Trustee Witek then asked that special care be taken to assure assignments are equitable to all members. President Weiss said that she would continue to appoint committees based on an “individual’s abilities.” Discussion ensued re: honor to serve versus monetary appreciation, the political repercussions, and the Village’s ability to afford such payments. The Manager will look into getting comparison pay charts from other communities and work up figure estimates based on $35/per meeting. The Clerk will check MML and MAMC to see if either has an available pay survey.

Trustee Witek exited at 9:10AM (to go to his job).

The Police Department will come in under budget, in part because the lieutenant position has not been filled, instead promoting two (2) officers to Sergeant. The cost of hiring a lieutenant or police chief is not included in the budget, but such costs would be partly offset by a reduction in hours/salary of part-time officers. The department will look into ways to lower fuel consumption.

The Fire Department budget, prepared by Fire Chief Haydon, is over-budget, in mostly due to the Village water billing corrections forcing purchase of a new water meter.

Trustee Brown exits 9:31AM ; re-enters 9:34AM.

Manager Honeysett explained how the Major and Local Street Funds work. Florence Road and Industrial Drive will be seal-coated. West Sixth Street re-paving will be deferred to 2009-2010 due to lack of money. President Weiss asked if either fund could lend the Village money toward non-fund projects, as long as the money were put back. Manager Honeysett said he was looking into that. Trustee Mathers said that might set a dangerous precedent.

The Capital Improvement and Sinking Funds are being merged with the General Fund. The $10,000 allocated for a renovated kitchen will be labeled Building Improvements.

Fleis & Vandenbrink may work with the Village in adjusting utility rates since the Sewer Fund monies are greater than the Water Fund, following the water tower inspection report. Trustee Mathers said the Fleis & Vandenbrink Rate Study was based on bad data from the flawed utility billing program. The engineer is expected to make short and long term recommendations. President Weiss reminded trustees of earlier recommendations for a second water tower. Manager Honeysett said low interest loans might be available.

The DPW expects to purchase a new pick-up truck and plow blade and power valve turner.

Ordinance Codification and new meeting recording equipment is planned, though not reflected in the budget because of their anticipated nominal cost.

Pioneer plans to put up another building; the DDA would capture any new taxes.

Manager Honeysett said he was not seeking a salary increase. SEIU and non-union employees may expect a 2.5%, except for part-time and reserve officers and crossing guards. Part-time officers will receive a step raise. FOP officers will receive a 3% increase because last years wage settlement was not retroactive.

Treasurer Strawser asked for an expenditure and income total. Manager Honeysett said he was “not sure what our expenditures or income will be”, but expects the total budget to be $2million-$2.2million dollars. There is no proposed change in the 10.5 millage.

Adjourned Budget Workshop meeting at 10:20AM .

Ruth Strawser
Village Clerk