title
Minutes for the special called City Council meeting on December 28, 2005
body
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING-WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2005, 5:30 P.M.
The Jonesboro City Council met Wednesday, December 28, 2005, for a special called meeting. Members present were: Mayor Douglas Formon, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, City Attorney Phillip Crego and ten council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, Furr, McCall and Ashley. Councilmen Moore and Johnson were unable to attend. Councilman Farmer left at 6:25 p.m. and Councilwoman Furr left at 6:43 p.m.
At the request of Councilman Perrin, Mr. Larry Flowers provided an executive summary of the 2006 budget showing a total of the Revenues, Expenditures and Estimated Emergency Reserves. Discussion was held regarding fixed assets and the figure shown in the budget. It was explained that the budget shows 2.9 in fixed assets, but if bids are taken on a lease/purchase agreement and are higher than expected, it would be better to purchase the equipment causing fixed assets to increase by approximately 6.3 million. It was further explained that the City of Jonesboro is replacing worn out equipment, and even though some equipment would be purchased every year, the 2006 budget focus has been on adequately equipping the Fire, Police, Animal Control, and Sanitation Departments. Next year the focus will be on the Street Department equipment with only 30% being addressed in the 2006 budget. Mr. Flowers explained if the City chooses to lease the equipment rather than purchase, then next year the amount for fixed assets will increase. Councilman Hargis asked what the amount of the 2005 reserves. Councilman Farmer responded saying the total amount of Reserves at the beginning of 2005 was $35,000,000,000. He pointed out the decrease in the Reserves from 2005 to 2006 was due to being led to believe there were MATA funds available, when in reality they were not, and as a result MATA had to be appropriated from Capital Improvements. Councilman Farmer explained the Capital Improvements Fund is there for the purpose of making improvements such as streets and drainage to the City of Jonesboro, not just to grow the amount of the funds, and to make the improvements that were committed to the citizens of Jonesboro. Councilman Perrin suggested increasing the Reserves for 2006 after six months, once the “true operating” expenses have been realized. It was explained that the amount of Reserves, was based on percentages resulting from a survey of other cities and is tied to Jonesboro’s expenditures. Councilman Hargis questioned why Revenues increased, and Expenditures decreased but the number of new hires went up. Mr. Flowers responded saying the most significant reason for the decrease in expenditures was the MATA funds not being appropriated in the 2006 budget. Councilman Dover explained the 2006 budget is light on expenditures since certain projects were not included due to incomplete cost figures. Councilman Perrin predicted large expenditures would occur once the studies come back for streets and drainage. Councilman Farmer responded saying the purpose of the ½ cent Capital Improvement Fund, is to pay for projects such as streets and drainage, and to invest in Jonesboro’s infrastructure, not to accrue a large balance. Councilman Dover concurred with Councilman Farmer. Councilman Farmer stated in the future he would like to adopt a separate Capital Improvements budget, one that is separate from Operations and Maintenance in order to provide a more accurate accounting of Jonesboro’s finances. Mr. Flowers stated he would not be opposed to doing two separate budgets for next year.
At the request of Councilman Perrin, Human Resources Director, Suzanne Hackney provided a spread sheet on salary comparisons as well as Health and Dental comparisons. Ms. Hackney explained if the pay grid is never adjusted, then the City of Jonesboro becomes stagnant, and eventually will have difficulty hiring individuals, as was the case several years prior. She stated the Condrey survey recommends giving a cost of living increase at least every other year and adding it to the pay grid then give the step (experience) increase. Ms. Hackney explained 2006 was the third year of the pay plan without an adjustment, and the cost of living was over 3%. Councilman Farmer explained the survey and plan was adopted for the purpose of being competitive to attract qualified personnel, and recommended conducting exit interviews when an employee leaves the City of Jonesboro. Ms. Hackney stated it has been a while since a fire fighter or police officer has left Jonesboro to go to another city. She explained ever since the pay plan has been implemented, turn-over has been low for all full time employees. Regarding Health and Dental premiums it was explained that the City of Jonesboro would be paying .833% more, with no increase in the Life Insurance Premiums. Councilman Hargis questioned if the increase in insurance premiums (by the city) should not be considered as part of the cost of living totals. Ms. Hackney responded saying Condrey interprets that to be an increase in the cost for city benefits provided to employees, not part of the cost of living increase. Councilman Perrin questioned if in the past elected officials were included in the cost of living increase, and were any elected officials considered in the salary plan. Ms. Hackney explained no elected officials have had an increase since the pay plan has been in effect, and were not considered in the Condrey plan. She further explained in the past elected officials received the same percentage increase as other employees. Councilman Dover suggested doing a survey of elected officials since they are not tied to the survey. It was explained that the City Clerk position was surveyed as well as the City Council and as a result an adjustment was made to the City Clerk position which was 80% below standard, while no adjustment was given to the city council members who fell in the median range. City Attorney Crego questioned if the Arkansas Municipal League did not have a current survey for elected officials. Ms. Hackney responded saying that it shows the midpoint of the pay grid not actual salaries, and she would have to do a survey if it were to be accurate. City Attorney Crego stated he would run for re-election and do his job regardless, but historically elected officials got the same cost of living increase as other city employees. He further encouraged council members to conduct the survey, because it would be the fourth year in a row that elected officials did not get an increase. Councilman McCall stated the Mayor, City Attorney, and City Clerk are different from city council members in that this is their full time job, while most council members have other incomes. Councilman Hargis made a comparison between the Mayor’s position in Jonesboro to the Mayor’s position in Miami, Florida saying the Jonesboro Mayor makes almost as much as the Mayor of Miami, Florida, and recommended doing a survey. He explained it would make a difference in who will serve in the future. Councilman Dover stated the City Council has set the Mayor’s salary for three years, and with no plan how long to you prolong a cost of living increase. Mayor Formon objected to comments made by Councilman Hargis stating he should have compared what the Mayor of Miami, Florida does before making such statements if front of the press. Mayor Formon stated it implies he is over paid. He agreed with Councilman McCall in that the Mayor, City Attorney and City Clerk positions are different from City Council positions because their living is earned by holding these offices, and are directly affected by the cost of living. He stated he left his career in the police department and gave up his retirement to take this position. Mayor Formon stated with regard to the City Clerk salary adjustment, it did not even get the salary to the mid-range. Councilman Dover concurred. Discussion was held regarding conducting a salary survey for elected officials and the importance of abiding by the results of the survey. Discussion was held regarding the process for amending the ordinance to eliminate the 4% increase, but Councilman McCall stated he did not want to delay the budget process over the 4% percent and Councilman Dover concurred.
Councilman Dover offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO ADOPTING A 2006 ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF JONESBORO
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to suspend with the second and third readings. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Street for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote and Councilman Hargis who voted nay. Those members voting aye were: Province, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of the emergency clause. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned number 3600.
Councilman Dover requested that Human Resource Director, Suzanne Hackney do a survey of Jonesboro elected officials that would be comparable of other cities regarding pay, personnel and benefits. Councilman Perrin announced Ms. Hackney would be providing information to city council members on the Internal Auditor’s position.
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to suspend the rules and place two emergency ordinances for full council consideration. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley.
Councilman Dover offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF A TWENTY TON TANDEM AXLE TRAILER
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to suspend with the second and third readings. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Ashley for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3601.
Councilman Ashley offered the following ordinance for first reading:
ORDINANCE TO WAIVE COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF A 307C CAT HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR
Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to suspend with the second and third readings. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Street moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for the adoption of the ordinance. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover for the adoption of the emergency clause. A roll call vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley. The ordinance was assigned ordinance number 3602.
With no further business, Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for adjournment. A voice vote was taken resulting in all members voting aye with the exception of Councilman Farmer and Councilwoman Furr who had left the meeting prior to the vote. Those members voting aye were: Province, Hargis, Williams, Perrin, Street, Dover, McCall, and Ashley.