Budget Workshop
April 20, 2011
The budget session was called to order by President Rusas at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Councilmembers
President Rusas and Councilmembers Glagola, Heer, Kovach, Aubry, Frankford and Ziegler.
Township Boardmembers
Supervisor Donald Green, Treasurer Cindy Dagenhardt, Clerk Holly Brandt, and Trustees Worrell, Wiltsie, Mazarra and Busick.
Others Present
Police Chief Thomas Callahan; Village Manager, Arthur Shufflebarger; and Becky Jacques, Treasurer/Financial Director.
Police Department
Chief Callahan started discussions with a review of 2010-11 Capital Outlay. Tom stated one car replacement was budgeted, however it was necessary to replace two due to accidents on two of the vehicles. The Positron phone system has been installed and project complete. An extended maintenance agreement is included in the 2011-12 budget.
The 2011-12 Capital Outlay includes two vehicles, replacement and updates for the computer workstations and miscellaneous equipment replacement such as tasers and radar equipment.
Ms. Jacques stated if the full levy of .8 mills continues, approximately $204,000 will be added to the Fund Balance escrow account for an expected General Motors taxable value decrease. She added that $193,000 is also shown as a liability in the last fiscal year budget for this tax decrease. She is basing figures on 50 percent of what is being requested from General Motors (80 percent of the taxable value) which equates to 40 percent of the taxable value.
Ms. Jacques stated there is a decrease in the Township police contract due to a six percent decrease in taxable value. There are no wage increases for the eighteen officers included in this year’s budget. The budget reflects an extra $100,000 for unfunded pension liabilities.
Chief Callahan informed Council ways he was able to reduce costs in the department. This included a reduction in legal fees, a newer, reduced HVAC maintenance agreement, and a reduction in custodial services.
Chief Callahan updated everyone on the employee status, with officers who have left and been replaced. There is also a sergeant who has been on Worker Comp since May 2010 and is being forced to retire due to his inability to return to work at full capacity. This position has not been filled.
Mr. Mazarra stated he appreciated Tom looking into the various contracts and ways to save money in the department.
Forfeiture Fund
This dollar amount fluctuates based on solved cases. Chief Callahan recently learned of an additional $17,000 that the Police Dept. will soon be receiving in forfeiture money. This money can be used toward salaries pertaining to such cases as well as equipment and training. Chief explained the department is pursuing grant money for new vests for the department, but did say forfeiture money can be used for these as well.
General Fund
Between real and personal property the Village is experiencing an approximate 2.8 percent decrease overall. Other notable reductions in revenue were the Cable Franchise Fees due to the uncertainty of what will happen now that Frontier is offering cable service in the community. Ms. Jacques did not budget money in the State Revenue sharing line item because of the new parameters on how this money can be awarded. There are three guidelines the Village must meet to be eligible and she hopes the Village will be to acquire approximately $31,000 through these guidelines.
Meadowbrook Insurance has paid a dividend to the Village this year for $21,000.
The final items on the Budget agenda included Legislative, Manager, Attorney, Elections, Clerk, Treasurer, Information Technology, Ordinance Enforcement and General Administration.
The Clerk, Treasurer and Manager reported nothing substantial changing in these budget items.
The Ordinance Enforcement budget does include one-half the cost of an electric car for the ordinance officers.
The General Administration Telephone line item did show a substantial decrease as a result of the phone system audit conducted in 2010. Ms. Jacques also stated in the third year of the five year projection for General Administration, she has projected a potential charge back against the demolition of the 200 Peters Rd. building. A lien will be placed on the property when the work is done, however, there is no guarantee the Village will get their money reimbursed.
Submitted by:
Deborah S. Frazer, CMC
Milford Village Clerk | 
