HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 17 2022 CMwin'0111111
10AH0
City of Chubbuck
Council Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2022
6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
290 East Linden, Chubbuck, ID 83202
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor England
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: Councilmember Heiner
COUNCIL PRESENT: Norman Reece, Roger Hernandez, Melanie Evans, and Dan Heiner.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kevin England, City Attorney Ryan Lewis, Interim Public
Works Director Bridger Morrison, Community Services Director Devin Hillam, Police Chief Bill
Guiberson, Fire Chief Merlin Miller, Human Resource Director Scott Gummersall, City
Treasurer Rich Morgan, and City Clerk Joey Bowers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 3, 2022 and August 9, 2022.
Councilmember Reece motioned for approval of the Study Session and Council Meeting minutes.
Councilmember Hernandez seconded motion for approval of minutes.
Roll Call: Reece -yes, Hernandez -yes, Evans -yes, Heiner -yes, motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARING:
An additional public hearing on a proposed budget for the fiscal year 2023 from October
1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, pursuant to Idaho code 50-1002. Following the Budget
Hearing held on August 3, 2022 and a Budget Study Session held on August 9, 2022 to
gather information from City Departments before adopting a budget for 2023.
Mayor Kevin England stated that this public hearing was to get community feedback
on the information presented by City Staff during the Budget Hearing held on August 3,
2022 and a Budget Study Session held on August 9, 2022.
City Treasurer Rich Morgan presented a proposed tentative budget for FY23 and went
over the public hearing notice, and revenue sources. Mr. Morgan went over different
options for the Council to consider and the impact per 100,000 of assessed property
value.
Councilmember Evans asked about City reserves and using those for a year to help the
community with the current economy and rising costs.
Councilmember Heiner stated that any ongoing expenses that the City doesn't budget
for now will need to be caught up in the future.
Mr. Morgan stated that it has always been the policy of the City to not use one time
monies for ongoing expenses. The City's financial policy is to keep 3-6 months of
operating costs in general fund reserves. 3 months of operating costs is about $2.1 million
and 6 month would be about $4.3 million. The City is currently sitting at 2.9 million in
general fund reserves to cover operating costs.
Councilmember Evans asked how much of the proposed budget is for ongoing
expenses and how much could be covered by the general fund reserves.
Mr. Morgan stated that adding an additional 2% or $135,066 from property taxes
would be able to cover the proposed wage and wage related expenses.
Councilmember Reece wondered if the Council decided not to take the available 3% if
that would have a negative impact on providing services in the future.
Mr. Morgan didn't have an answer on how that decision could have an impact on
providing services in the future. But did say that the police was always trying to stay
competitive and had a ratio of so many sworn officers per 1,000 residents and the fire
department was already seeing a huge increase in overlapping calls as the City continues
to grow.
Mayor England declared the public hearing open for public comment.
Rodney Burch at 5402 Stuart Ave., was In Favor. Mr. Burch was in favor of the
proposed budget. Mr. Burch felt like City Staff had been very creative in looking at
getting the most out of their budgets and does a great job providing services to the
citizens. Mr. Burch also felt like that all the city departments use these monies effectively
and efficiently. Mr. Burch recommended only asking the residents to fund needed
ongoing costs and using reserves when possible.
Boyd Byrd at 5036 Kevin Ave., was In Favor. Mr. Byrd went over the proposed
budget and thanked City Staff for their open door policy and always being willing to
answer his questions. Mr. Byrd felt like the City of Chubbuck does a great job providing
services to the residents. Mr. Byrd was in favor of the Council only asking the residents
to fund needed ongoing costs and using reserves when possible. Mr. Byrd asked if the
Council decided to use some of its reserves this year if those monies could be replaced
next year when the 1992 urban renewal district expires.
Sherri Matson at 5077 Independence Ave., was In Favor. Mrs. Matson asked about the
Northwest Sewer project and the yearly lease payment for the Chubbuck City Hall. Mrs.
Matson also asked about employee health insurance and if the City had looked at polices
that require financial employee participation.
David Hall at 4893 Hiram Ave, was In Favor. Mr. Hall was in favor of the proposed
budget. Mr. Hall felt like that all the city departments use these monies effectively and
efficiently. Mr. Hall asked if the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("ARPA") funds
could be used to funds some of the non -ongoing costs. Mr. Hall also asked the Mayor and
Council to try and work with Bannock County Commissioners to cover the EMS costs
that they are required to cover, but is being covered by the Chubbuck Fire Department on
a daily basis.
Brandon Schiffinan at 4472 Fox Ct., was In Favor. Mr. Schiffman was in favor of the
proposed budget, but also had some concerns with the efficiency of the Chubbuck Police
Department and retention.
Due to no more public comment Mayor England closed the public hearing.
City Treasurer Rich Morgan stated that the Council can always make a decision to use
general fund reserves in funding the budget, and it is the Councils decision on how much
to keep in reserves to cover operating costs. Mr. Morgan stated that the City will see
some funds that will come into the City budget with the expiration of the 1992 urban
renewal district. Mr. Morgan also stated that the Northwest Sewer project is a 30yr. loan
and those funds can only be used in the sewer fund and will never become part of the
general fund. Human Resources has looked at premium participation. ARPA funds can
only be used for certain items and do not qualify to be used to fund the one time capital
projects/investments in the proposed budget.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Adoption of Ordinance 851 Appropriations for FY2023.
(Council will discuss the adoption of a budget for FY23).
The Council decided not to take the available 3% and decided to budget an additional
2% or $135,066 from property taxes to cover the proposed wage and wage related
expenses, and to cover the remaining $139,191 out of the general fund reserves for FY23.
Councilmember Evans motioned for the waiver of three readings, including the reading of one
time in full for Ordinance 851.
Councilmember Heiner seconded motion for waiver.
Roll Call: Hernandez -yes, Evans -yes, Heiner -yes, Reece -yes, motion passed.
Councilmember Heiner motioned for adoption of Ordinance 851 as presented.
Councilmember Evans seconded motion for adoption.
Roll Call: Evans -yes, Heiner -yes, Reece -yes, Hernandez -yes, motion passed.
2. Adoption of Resolution 2022-05 Accrue Forgone Property Taxes.
(Council will discuss the intent and purpose of collecting forgone taxes.)
Councilmember Hernandez motioned to adopt resolution 2022-05 to accrue $67,533 as foregone
property taxes.
Councilmember Reece seconded motion for adoption.
Roll Call: Heiner -yes, Reece -yes, Hernandez -yes, Evans -yes, motion passed.
CLAIMS:
City of Chubbuck claims for August 17, 2022 as presented to Mayor England and
Council.
Councilmember Heiner motioned to approve the City of Chubbuck Claims as presented.
Councilmember Hernandez seconded motion for approval.
Roll Call: Hernandez -yes, Evans -yes, Reece -yes, Heiner -yes, motion passed.
ADJOURN: Mayor Kevin England adjourned at 7:25.
J ey o 7 �s-CityClerk Kevin Englat Mayor