Council Minutes

BUDGET WORKSHOP

APRIL 26, 2010

 

The workshop was called to order by President Rusas at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

 

President Theresa Rusas; Councilmembers Elizabeth Heer, Kevin Ziegler, Mike Glagola, Jerry Aubry, Jennifer Frankford, James Kovach (5:45)

 

Supervisor Don Green, Clerk Holly Brandt, Treasurer Cindy Dagenhardt, Trustees Dale Wiltse, Brien Worrell, William Mazzara and Randy Busick (5:45 p.m.)

 

Arthur Shufflebarger, Village Manager, Becky Jacques, Treasurer/Financial Director; Chief Wayne Walli, Police Department

 

Ms. Dagenhardt recognized the eleven percent cut in expenses from last year’s budget. The contingency line item was taxes collected to be used in future years (assuming millage passes in August).

 

Chief Walli explained further the necessity of the Positron phone system update. CLEMIS (Oakland County) says it is mandatory to update the equipment; AT&T states they have an obligation to support the phone system for another four years. Walli stated there is a grant for $16,000 that expires August 1, 2010. It was agreed to go forward with phone system utilizing grant money that was available. This would adjust capital outlay to $139,000 rather than $155,000.

 

Ms. Jacques explained why the original request for 1.8 mills was able to be reduced to .8 mills, specifically because of the reduction in General Motors tax reduction request from 80 percent to 40 percent.

 

Mazzara felt the Police Chief should take a salary cut similar to the Police and Dispatch. He stated the concessions for Command, Patrol and Dispatch were lopsided, with Dispatch taking the biggest cut. It was noted that the Police Chief had not taken a raise since 2007, while union groups were getting annual raises. Decreases in wages would also be realized in the next few years as expected retirements take place.

 

Mazzara asked for the ten percent of the Manager’s time being charged to the Police Department to be reduced. Village Council felt comfortable with this percentage.

 

Sending an officer to the DEA will be considered if the millage passes in August. This would be a two year commitment.

 

Everyone agreed on the necessity of the .8 mills to maintain the current level of police service. Township asked that “talking points” for the millage be generated to confirm any information that was given was consistent.

 

Deborah S. Frazer, Clerk

Village of Milford