Budget and Finance and Economic Development Committee

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee met on August 25, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., with Stinnett presiding. The committee addressed four agenda items during the session, including approval of the March 17, 2015 Committee Summary, a presentation of Monthly Financial Reports, consideration of a Local Minimum Wage Ordinance, and Items Referred for discussion. The committee took three votes during the meeting and heard three public comments. The Local Minimum Wage Ordinance was tabled, while Items Referred were deferred to a future date. The March 17, 2015 Committee Summary was approved, and the Monthly Financial Reports were presented for informational purposes.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on August 25, 2015:

• Stinnett
• Moloney
• Kay
• Lamb
• Farmer
• Scutchfield
• Brown
• Mossotti
• Bledsoe
• Gibbs
• Akers
• J. Brown

No absences or late arrivals were recorded.

Votes and Decisions

Approve the March 17, 2015 Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee Summary 1:00

Motion by Bledsoe, seconded by Scutchfield. This motion passed by voice vote.

Table the local minimum wage ordinance discussion until the Louisville lawsuit reaches its final unappealable order 3:00

Motion by Farmer, seconded by F. Brown. This motion passed by roll call vote with the following results:

• Ayes (6): Bledsoe, F. Brown, Lane, Scutchfield, Farmer, Lamb
• Nays (3): Kay, Moloney, Mossotti

Adjourn the meeting 41:28

Motion by Farmer, seconded by Moloney. This motion passed by voice vote.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting included a review of monthly financial reports for the General Fund and other funds. These reports were presented for informational purposes to provide an overview of the municipality's financial status during the reporting period.

Public Comment

Three speakers addressed the meeting during the public comment period.

Mossotti 3:00 presented on the topic of a local minimum wage ordinance, using her time to give a brief presentation on the subject.

Lamb 3:00 spoke in support of local businesses, expressing appreciation for those that increase wages for their employees. Lamb raised concerns about the CPI cap included in the draft ordinance.

Betsy Dexter 10:38 presented a workforce snapshot for Fayette County and outlined next steps for the Business and Education Network. Dexter discussed plans to develop a strategic plan aimed at closing workforce gaps.

Appointments

Betsy Dexter was appointed to the Business and Education Network.

Contested Items

Local Minimum Wage Ordinance

The committee was divided on how to proceed with a proposed local minimum wage ordinance. The core disagreement centered on whether the committee should move forward with the ordinance at that time, or whether it should wait for the outcome of a pending Louisville lawsuit before taking action.

Six committee members voted to table the ordinance, effectively postponing consideration of the measure. Three members opposed this motion to table, indicating they favored proceeding with the ordinance despite the legal uncertainties.

The debate reflected broader concerns about the potential impacts of implementing a local wage increase. Committee members who supported tabling the ordinance cited the need to await the results of the Louisville lawsuit, suggesting that the legal outcome could have significant implications for how the committee should approach local wage policy. Those who opposed tabling the measure appeared to favor moving forward with the ordinance regardless of the pending litigation.

The vote resulted in the ordinance being tabled, with the majority position prevailing.

March 17, 2015 Committee Summary

1:00

The committee reviewed and approved the summary from the March 17, 2015 meeting. The motion to approve was made by Bledsoe and seconded by Scutchfield. The summary was approved without dissent.

Monthly Financial Reports

Bill O'Mara and Melissa Leuker presented the monthly financial report during this agenda item 3:09. The presentation covered revenue, expenses, and variances for the reporting period.

Key Topics Covered

The presenters reviewed the organization's financial performance, including:

• Revenue figures
• Expense analysis
• Variance reports comparing actual results to projections

Questions and Concerns Raised

During the presentation, attendees raised questions regarding:

• Employee withholding
• Investment income
• Encumbrances

Outcome

This agenda item was informational in nature, with no formal action required.

Local Minimum Wage Ordinance

3:00

The council discussed a proposed local minimum wage ordinance, with Dr. Troske and James Ziliak presenting research on minimum wage impacts. The presentation focused on economic effects and data relevant to the policy decision.

Key Discussion Points

Council members engaged in debate regarding several aspects of the ordinance:

• Economic effects of implementing a local minimum wage
• Competitiveness considerations, specifically in relation to Louisville
• The need for additional data to inform the decision

Speakers

The following council members participated in the discussion: Kay, Farmer, Moloney, Gibbs, Lane, and J. Brown.

Outcome

The council voted to table the discussion on the local minimum wage ordinance. The decision to postpone action was made pending the conclusion of the Louisville lawsuit, which was identified as relevant to the council's consideration of this policy.

Items Referred

The committee addressed two items referred for discussion during this agenda item.

Waste Management Task Force

The committee discussed the status of the waste management task force. Due to lack of membership, the task force was removed from the committee.

Activity-Based Costing

The committee also reviewed an activity-based costing item. This matter was deferred for further review at a later time.

Key Participants

Kay and Farmer were the primary speakers during this discussion.

Outcome

The overall outcome for the items referred was deferred, allowing for continued consideration of these matters in the future.