Committee of the Whole

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on December 22, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., with the Vice Mayor presiding. The meeting included two informational agenda items focused on fiscal matters: a current budget forecast presentation from the Department of Finance and budget reduction plans from the Division of Fire. During the session, the Council heard four public comments and took one vote. The meeting centered on budget-related discussions as the body reviewed financial forecasts and departmental cost-reduction strategies.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on December 22, 2009:

• Commissioner Rumpke
• Bill O'Meara
• Chief Hendricks
• Commissioner Bennett
• Council Member Lawless
• Council Member Gordon
• Council Member James
• Council Member Crosby
• Council Member Stennett
• Council Member Henson
• Council Member Feigl
• Council Member McCord
• Council Member Martin
• Council Member Blues
• Council Member Myers
• Mark Blankenship
• Chris Bartley
• Charissa Crobo
• Wade Miracle

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

Motion to Adjourn

Council Member Gorton moved to adjourn the meeting, with a second from Council Member Stennett. The motion passed by voice vote 2:48:45.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed two significant financial actions:

Rainy Day Fund Withdrawal

An amendment was approved to withdraw $6,500,000 from the Rainy Day Fund for FY2010.

Division of Fire Budget Reduction

An appropriation of $2,718,000 was approved for a budget reduction plan for the Division of Fire.

Public Comment

Four speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, focusing on fire department operations and budget priorities.

Wade Miracle 2:35:08 spoke in opposition to the closure of Fire Station 4. Captain Miracle, assigned to Engine 4, expressed deep concern about closing Firehouse 4, emphasizing its role as a neighborhood hub serving a diverse district. He highlighted the human and safety implications of reduced response times and urged the council to preserve the station for public safety and community pride.

Chris Bartley 2:40:18 presented a firefighter union proposal in support of budget relief measures. The proposal called for deferring raises and uniform allowances, which would save $1.234 million in FY11. Bartley urged the council to accept the proposal to avoid layoffs and maintain public safety without cutting essential services.

Charissa Crobo 2:43:31 spoke as a teacher and citizen, calling for fiscal responsibility and public safety prioritization. She urged the council to prioritize public safety over non-essential spending and expressed concern that cutting fire department staffing could endanger lives. Crobo called for a reevaluation of expendable programs before cutting public safety roles.

An anonymous speaker 2:46:05 called for fiscal restraint and business-like budgeting practices. The speaker suggested that a qualified businessperson could identify $12 million in savings by reviewing defined benefit plans and collective bargaining agreements. The speaker emphasized that public safety must not be compromised in budget reduction efforts.

Contested Items

The December 22, 2009 meeting featured three significant areas of contention:

Closure of Fire Station 4 and 11

Public and council members expressed strong opposition to the temporary closure of Fire Station 4 and 11. The primary concerns centered on public safety risks and increased emergency response times. Community members emphasized the stations' roles as neighborhood anchors. Captain Wade Miracle delivered a passionate appeal against the closure, highlighting the importance of community trust and safety in opposing the measure.

Budget Reduction Strategy and Transparency

A heated discussion emerged regarding the fairness and timing of budget cuts. Council members expressed frustration over not being notified in advance about the proposed closures and questioned the administration's unilateral decision-making process. Council Member Crosby specifically criticized the lack of coordination with outside agencies and the timing of the closure announcement, raising concerns about how budget reduction decisions were being communicated and implemented.

Use of Rainy Day Fund

A procedural dispute arose over whether the Rainy Day Fund could appropriately be used for operating expenses. Council members questioned whether drawing down the fund for operational costs aligned with its intended purpose for catastrophic events. Additional concerns were raised about the adequacy of the fund relative to peer cities and the long-term financial implications of reducing its balance during budget constraints.

Current Budget Forecast - Dept. of Finance

0:00

Commissioner Rumpke and Bill O'Meara presented the Department of Finance's FY2010 revenue forecast to the meeting.

Key Findings

The presentation highlighted a projected $12.3 million shortfall in the budget. This shortfall was attributed to three primary factors:

• Declining OLT (Ohio Lottery Tax) withholdings
• Declining net profits
• Declining insurance premiums

Forecast Assumptions

The revenue projections were based on assumptions that collections would remain flat or show slight declines through June. The presenters emphasized the uncertainty surrounding economic indicators and their impact on future revenue streams.

Discussion Focus

The discussion underscored the need for flexibility in budget planning given the unpredictable economic environment. The speakers acknowledged that economic conditions remained difficult to forecast with precision, requiring the department and broader government to maintain adaptability in their financial planning.

Outcome

This item was presented for informational purposes, providing the meeting participants with an overview of the current fiscal situation and revenue expectations for the fiscal year.

Budget Reduction Plans - Div. of Fire

Chief Hendricks presented the Division of Fire's budget reduction plan at approximately 1:17:31 in the meeting. The plan outlined measures designed to achieve $800,000 in savings through temporary station closures and overtime management.

Key Elements of the Plan

The proposal included temporary closures of Station 4 and Station 11. A primary objective of the plan was to preserve 32 firefighter jobs despite the budget constraints.

Justification and Timing

Chief Hendricks characterized the plan as time-sensitive, emphasizing the need to implement it promptly to avoid losing the projected savings.

Issues Discussed

The presentation included discussion of public safety risks and potential impacts on response times resulting from the proposed station closures. Commissioner Bennett participated in the discussion of these concerns.

Outcome

The agenda item was presented as informational, with no formal action or decision recorded at this time.