12/07/1983 - Minutes CITY OF TIGARD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES
DECEMBER 7, 1983
Durham Treatment Plant
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Wally Hoffman at 7:45 p.m. Roll
call: Wally Hoffman, Jerry Edwards, Dale Evans, Jim Smith, Wilbur Bishop, Tom
Brian. Councillor Scheckla had to work and was unable to attend.
Staff present: Bob Jean, Jerri Widner, Irene Ertell, Bill Monahan, Frank
Currie, Jerry McNurlin, Bob Adams, Kelley Jennings, Bob Wheeler, Lonnie
Branstetter, Alice Carrick.
Chairman Hoffman discussed the agenda and scheduling for the budget. How did
the budget committee want to proceed this year? He stated he had two concerns
with the approach that was taken last year--1. Looking at line items of prior
year without looking at programs. 2. cutting items out--then going for
taxes. He feels the committee should look at the issues first.
Jerry Edwards said he agreed with the Chairman that the committee should look
at the tax base solution first before going line item by line item--it would
be easier to grant or not grant for particular areas if knew the parameters
first.
There continued to be discussion regarding the tax base and a spring vote.
Bob Jean then briefly went over item #3 of the agenda which was the
assumptions that were used in preparing the five year plan.
Item #4 of the agenda was next. Police. Chief Adams and his employees
discussed the increased work load that has occurred in the police department.
Part I crimes have increased and are requiring more time for clearance. Even
with the increase however, more cases have been cleared proportionately. Part
II crimes are falling by the wayside as there is not staff time to pursue.
There continued discussion regarding the desired number of officers per
citizen. The recommended ration is 1:45. In addition it is recommended the
officers have 70/30 obligated/non-obligated time ratio. This means that an
officer would have only 30% of his/her time that would be for discretionary
purposes. If the City doesn't receive additional funding, the ratio by the
end of 1984 will be 98.89%6 obligated. The department has been able to
identify how many officers and managment staff are needed to have 24hr.
coverage. The trending that is occurring means that a citizen will have to
call yesterday for a policeman tomorrow.
Councillor Brian asked if any services had actually been cut? Bob Adams
responded by saying that many of the programs have been substantially reduced,
but they have not been completely cut out. The police department responded to
11,000 calls for service.
Jerry Edwards stated that Washington Square had 13,507 calls for service based
on a population of 36,000 per day. The County starting this week have
assigned a sheriff's deputy to Washington Square for 70 hours a week. The
statistics that the police department prepared for the budget committee are
accurate.
Library. Irene Ertell stated that the library circulation has increased 24%
and in November circulation had increased 9%L over last year. With this kind
of increase, services are eroding, the staff are becoming burned out and
cut-backs have been implemented. Some of the cut-backs have been as follows:
the Library can no longer take over the phone requests for interlibrary
loans or renewals; reserve books are limited to two and only the best
sellers, children programs have been reduced, and reference book updates
have been spread over longer periods of time. Currently the library is
open for 48 hours each week, Irene is recommending 40 hours.
Councillor Brian asked how much circulation is for out of City service? The
number of out of City users has been decreasing because of annexations, but in
one week 350 cards were used in City and 180 outside.
Bob Jean stated that the library workload ratio is not a 1 to 1. If 25% of
customers disappeared, the library would not be able to reduce workload 25%.
If the WCCLS levy does not pass, the City will have to increase its general
fund revenues to pick up the difference to continue library service.
Councillor Brian had to leave at this time.
Jerri Widner discussed what kinds of services the Finance & Services
department provided to the City. She pointed out that in order to continue
streamlining the systems, she would need one new position for next year. This
position, data entry specialist, would be able to provide some in-house
management of the data processing equipment, i.e. , debugging the system,
applications programming, data entry to relieve the accounting clerks for more
analysis and working of accounts and to assist word processing as needed.
Bill Monahan explained how his department is supported by planning and
building fees. That the building department had not needed a plans examiner
of architect quality and that the clerk position has helped to pick up the day
to day routine, so that the inspectors can be out in the field. As long as
the revenues continue and the demand for planning and building services
continues then his recommendation for staffing needs to be approved.
Frank Currie explained that in his department, the Parks division is most
affected by a tax base. The Green Thumb program which has provided the City
with four people at the cost of two, is likely not to be continued next year.
In addition, the City has increased the total park acreage. The manpower plan
indicates these changes. Frank reviewed the other divisions in his department
that rely on general fund dollars to support their services. He also
commented that the City would like to move from preventive repair of its
streets to preventive maintenance.
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A recess was called at 9:55 p.m. and reconvened at 10.05 p.m.
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Bob Jean stated that he could provide a budget with the service level the
budget committee wanted with a tax base at an amount they wanted. Its up to
the budget committee. Staff can tell the budget committee how much it will
cost if the budget committee recommends the level of service it wants, or if
the committee recommends a dollar amount staff can show what level of service
the dollars will buy. He reviewed the charts and projections of how long a
tax base would last before service levels needed to be cut and showed status
quo up to $1.3 million.
Chairman Hoffman stated that he would like the budget committee to recommend
the staff prepare a budget with Level III service. He then went round the
table and asked for comments. Each member discussed the pros and cons of the
dollar amount and number of years a tax base would last before Level III
services would deteriorate.
It was the consensus of the committee that the staff will prepare a budget
with Level III services and a tax base of $1.25 million.
Included with the discussion was the effect of the Washington Square
annexation on the taxes. The annexation of Washington Square would provide a
long-term effect as the assessed values go up, the demand for services would
stay the same.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 1983.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
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Wally Ho an, Chai man
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