Committee of the Whole-Budget Meeting

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Council Committee of the Whole met on June 16, 2009, at 7:53 AM at Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with the Vice Mayor presiding. The committee addressed four agenda items related to budget planning and scheduling, taking 12 motions and votes during the session. Five members of the public provided comments during the meeting.

The committee approved three of the four items on its agenda. These included approval of Council Link and Council Member Recommended Changes to the MPB FY 2010 Schedule, approval of Late Item Proposed Changes, and approval of Additional Funding Requirements. The committee deferred action on Individual Council Changes, postponing consideration of that item to a future meeting.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the meeting on July 6, 2009:

• Jerry
• Bill Ameri
• Council Member Lane
• Council Member Stenner
• Council Member Bearden
• Council Member Feigl
• Council Member Ellinger
• Council Member Gordon
• Council Member Lawless
• Council Member James
• Council Member Myers
• Council Member Blues
• Council Member Crosby
• Council Member Martin
• Council Member McCord
• Council Member Williams
• Council Member Sennett
• Ron Harrington
• Mary
• Elizabeth
• Shea
• Mr. Kelly
• Commissioner Cove

No members were recorded as absent or late.

Votes and Decisions

The council held 12 roll call votes on July 6, 2009. Eleven motions passed and one failed.

Passed Motions:

• Motion to eliminate the Office of Policy and Budget and fund the position of Director of Budgeting 1:48:00 — Moved by Council Member Blues, seconded by Council Member Myers. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to fund two additional vacant internal auditor positions with phased-in funding 2:34:00 — Moved by Council Member Blues, seconded by Council Member Light. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to correct the LexCall staff assistant position to adjust civil service salaries and benefits 2:35:03 — Moved by Council Member Blues, seconded by Council Member Light. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to not fund the proposed new Division of Enterprise Solutions 2:52:01 — Moved by Council Member Blues, seconded by Council Member Light. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to fund the Deputy Director of Enterprise position in Parks at $95,000 3:10:51 — Moved by Council Member Lane, seconded by Council Member James. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to fund additional security at Gainesway Community Building at $35,000 3:14:40 — Moved by Council Member Lane, seconded by Council Member James. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to increase revenue projections for golf courses and recreation paid enterprise services by $247,300 3:22:50 — Moved by Council Member Lane, seconded by Council Member James. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to fund $48,000 for large animal removal 3:28:40 — Moved by Council Member James, seconded by Council Member Light. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to add $2,000 to historic preservation for mileage reimbursement 3:30:20 — Moved by Council Member James, seconded by Council Member Light. Passed 15-0.

• Motion to fund $20,000 for Neighborhood Development Traffic Management Program 3:31:01 — Moved by Council Member James, seconded by Council Member Light. Passed 15-0.

Failed Motions:

• Motion to fund an economic forecasting study with the University of Kentucky 2:28:32 — Moved by Council Member Blues, seconded by Council Member Myers. Failed 13-2. Council Members Crosby and Martin voted against.

• Motion to fund $35,850 for reallocation of traffic signal tech senior positions 3:46:24 — Moved by Council Member James, seconded by Council Member Light. Failed 13-2. Council Members Myers and Crosby voted against.

Budget and Financial Actions

The meeting addressed multiple financial appropriations and amendments across various city departments and services.

Personnel and Staffing

The budget included funding for several new and restored positions: - $100,000 for 4 additional animal control personnel to bring the total to 10 officers - $23,000 to add back a part-time CSEPP Coordinator position, fully grant funded - $11,100 for two vacant Nuisance Control Officers - $123,347 to fund a Director in Budgeting position - $140,000 for two vacant auditor positions - $95,000 for a Deputy Director - Enterprise position within Parks - $11,120 each for a Social Services Coordinator at Black & Williams Center and an Administrative Officer (grade 118) at the Day Treatment Center - $10,227 amendment to adjust civil service salaries and benefits for LexCall Staff Assistant (107) - $35,850 reallocation of traffic signal tech senior positions to bring compensation to competitive levels

Services and Programs

The budget allocated funding for various community services: - $135,000 for contract items including personal protective equipment and college scholarship reimbursement - $35,000 for security at Gainesway community building - $48,000 for large animal removal, replacing state matching funds no longer available - $20,000 to fund the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program - $2,000 for mileage reimbursement for Historic Preservation - $11,120 each to reinstate YMCA membership subsidies for non-collective bargaining employees and LFUCG-sponsored optional flu immunizations

Capital and Equipment

• $69,000 for purchase of 6 radar trailers for district use from the asset forfeiture account

Financial Transfers and Adjustments

• $185,000 transfer from overtime account to regular personnel account for firefighter recruit classes
• $185,000 use of unspent 2006B bond funds to reduce debt service in the general fund
• $135,000 utilization of debt service savings from 2006B bond funds for Station #2 relocation design
• $247,300 increase in revenue projections for golf courses and recreation paid enterprise services
• $11,100 for office relocations within the Phoenix Building

Contracted Services

• $29,830 contract with the University of Kentucky for economic forecasting

Public Comment

Several council members raised concerns about specific budget proposals during the meeting.

Revenue Projections and Economic Forecasting

Council Member Stenner questioned the value of a proposed $29,830 study with the University of Kentucky, noting that the Fiscal Policy Task Force had already provided similar information at no cost 2:18:25. In response, Council Member Beard argued that the University of Kentucky study would provide more locally relevant data for Fayette County-specific forecasting than national sources like ICMA, making it a worthwhile investment 2:26:18.

Council Member Lane expressed concern about projected revenue decline, noting that the mayor's proposed budget had decreased from $278 million to $267 million—a $6.2 million decline—indicating a significant downward trend that could impact the 2010 budget. Lane urged caution in assuming growth 3:38:09.

Golf Course Revenue

Council Member McCord expressed skepticism about a $247,300 increase in golf course revenue projections, citing concerns about the focus on activity over actual productivity and the lack of internal oversight 3:19:36.

Reclassification Policy Consistency

Council Member James raised concerns about inconsistency in approving reclassifications across departments, specifically noting that reclassifications were being approved for traffic engineering while being denied for the coroner's office. James called for a comprehensive review of all departments to establish consistent policy 3:39:51.

Appointments

Ron Harrington was appointed to Traffic Engineering.

Contested Items

Two motions resulted in split votes during this meeting, indicating significant disagreement among participants.

Reclassification of Traffic Signal Tech Senior Positions

A motion to fund the reallocation of traffic signal tech senior positions failed due to a split vote. The primary concern centered on consistency in reclassification policies across departments. Participants raised questions about fairness, particularly noting that the coroner's office had been denied similar funding for reclassification efforts. This inconsistency in how different departments' requests were handled created tension around the decision.

Economic Forecasting Study with University of Kentucky

A second motion to fund an economic forecasting study conducted with the University of Kentucky also failed due to a split vote. Opponents of the study questioned its necessity and value, arguing that similar data had already been provided at no cost by the Fiscal Policy Task Force. This raised concerns about whether the proposed study would duplicate existing work or provide sufficient additional benefit to justify the expenditure.

Council Link and Council Member Recommended Changes to MPB FY 2010 Schedule

1:48:00

The Council reviewed and voted on a series of recommended changes to the Mayor's Proposed Budget (MPB) for FY 2010. The discussion involved multiple council members including Council Member Blues, Council Member Lane, Council Member Stenner, Council Member Bearden, and Council Member Feigl.

The recommended changes addressed funding adjustments across several city departments and functions:

• New positions and staffing allocations
• Budget reallocations among departments
• Revenue adjustments
• Changes affecting Public Safety, Finance, General Government, and General Services

Key actions taken during this agenda item included:

• Elimination of the Office of Policy and Budget
• Funding approval for the Director of Budgeting position

The Council voted on multiple motions related to these budget modifications. Several motions passed during the discussion, reflecting the Council's approval of the recommended changes to the FY 2010 budget schedule.

The outcome of this agenda item was approved, indicating that the Council accepted the recommended changes to the Mayor's Proposed Budget for FY 2010.

Individual Council Changes

3:48:04

The Council discussed individual recommendations from council members during this agenda item. Council Members James, Myers, and Sennett participated in the discussion.

The recommendations presented included funding proposals for traffic signal technology senior positions and other departmental initiatives. The specific details of these proposals and the departments involved were addressed during the discussion.

The Council determined that these individual recommendations required further review before proceeding to a vote. As a result, all items under this agenda item were deferred to a future meeting for additional consideration and voting.

Late Item Proposed Changes

The Council reviewed late item proposed changes as part of the meeting's agenda. 0:00

Key Speakers

Bill Ameri and Jerry participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

Content Reviewed

The Council examined late item changes that included adjustments to fund balances and reallocations across departments. These modifications were considered as part of the overall budget reconciliation process.

Outcome

The proposed changes were approved by the Council.

Additional Funding Requirements

The Council addressed the need for additional funding during this agenda item, with discussion centered on fiscal challenges and budget management. 0:00

Key Participants

The discussion involved Bill Ameri, Council Member Lane, and Council Member Stenner.

Main Discussion Points

The Council examined funding requirements in the context of declining revenue projections. The discussion emphasized the importance of maintaining fiscal responsibility while addressing the funding gap. The Council recognized the potential need for future budget adjustments to accommodate the additional funding requirements.

Outcome

The agenda item was approved.