HomeMy WebLinkAboutC03-0131MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
AMES, IOWA JANUARY 31, 2003
The Ames City Council met in special session at 2:05 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2003, in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law with Mayor Tedesco presiding
and the following Council members present: Goodhue, Hoffman, Mahayni, Vegge.
FY 2003/04 BUDGET OVERVIEW: City Manager Steve Schainker, Finance Director Duane
Pitcher, and Budget Officer Carol Collings were present to review the documents contained in
the budget packet as distributed to City Council.
Mr. Schainker stated that the recommended 2003/04 Budget presented a number of challenges
for the City. He stated that self-insured health care costs will show a substantial increase next
year as will the police and fire retirement system funds (due to new mandates) and operational
costs for the new Fire Station #3. He said that the good news is that property taxes will only see
an increase of $.01 per $1,000 valuation. Mr. Schainker explained that during the budgeting
process, staff adhered to the following three strategies: 1) reduce expenditures or hold the line;
2) utilize available balances in a number of areas; and, 3) increase revenues from fees charged
through the Parks and Recreation Department's programs and through building permit fees.
Mr. Schainker reported that there would be no utility rate increases for the next fiscal year.
Council Members Cross and Wirth arrived at 2:17 p.m.
Finance Director Duane Pitcher reviewed a series of Special Reports for the 2003/04 Budget.
He reported on the property tax levy breakdown, valuation percentage increases, debt service
issues, taxable value (up only 4.7%), percentage of taxable valuation by property type and the
effects on rollbacks, changes in revenues and expenses for the General Levy (with a total change
in tax asking of $786,331), the cost of City services (which includes debt service), Road Use Tax
revenue, and the tax levy history, among others.
Mr. Schainker recommended the following fund balances be used to diminish property tax
increases: 1) $230,000 from the Local Option Tax; 2) $386,000 from Employee Benefits; and,
3) $900,000 from Debt Service. Discussion ensued regarding the use of these fund balances and
the impact that would be felt in future years when these General Fund monies were no longer
available.
Budget Officer Carol Collings summarized the revenue and expenses for the General Fund. She
reviewed the Local Option Tax revenues. The Hotel/Motel Tax has shown encouraging growth
in revenues. Mr. Schainker explained that an additional $20,000 has been shifted from the
Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for economic development.
Ms. Collings reported on special revenues, which included: Leased Housing, Road Use Tax,
Housing Assistance, the county-wide Affordable Housing Program, and Tax Increment
Financing.
Mr. Schainker reviewed the Ames/Story County Partnership Affordable Housing Program. He
told the Council that this program was drawing to an end. There was a small balance left, and
the money would be divided amongst all participating agencies.
Carol Collings discussed the Water, Sewer, and Electric Operations Utility Funds. Regarding
the Storm Sewer Utility, City Manager Schainker advised that staff would report back to Council
within the next few months concerning the potential impact of the state Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) mandates placed upon the City.
Staff reviewed the Ames/ISU Capital Reserve Fund, Homewood Golf Course Fund, and the
Resource Recovery Operations and Improvements Fund.
Budget Officer Collings briefed the Council on the requests for funding letters that have been
received from various organizations. These requests will need to be addressed by Council
during the Budget Wrap-up on February 11.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
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Diane Voss, City Clerk Ted Tedesco, Mayor
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Jill Ripperger, Recording Secretary
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