HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 05 2023 Study SessionCHUBBUCK
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City of Chubbuck
Council Study Session Minutes
April 5, 2023
4:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
290 East Linden, Chubbuck, ID 83202
CALL To ORDER: Mayor England
COUNCIL PRESENT: Dan Heiner, Melanie Evans, Roger Hernandez and Norman Reece.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kevin England, City Attorney Ryan Lewis, Interim Public
Works Director Bridger Morrison, Community Services Director Devin Hillam, Development
Services Manager Sean Harris, Planning Manager Don Matson, Police Chief Bill Guiberson, Fire
Chief Merlin Miller, Human Resource Director Scott Gummersail, City Treasurer Rich Morgan,
and City Clerk Joey Bowers.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1. Budget Presentations from City Departments,
Human Resource Director Scott Gummersall went over the current FY23 budget,
presented a proposed FY24 budget, and the costs associated with human resources and
the City's heath fund, which provides health insurance to the City employees. The
proposed human resource expenses are critical for the City to remain competitive in the
current job market to retain and recruit a strong work force for the City.
City Treasurer Rich Morgan went over the FY23 budgets and presented proposed
FY24 budgets for the Legislative Branch (City Council), Executive Branch (Mayor),
Clerk, Treasurer (Accounting, Utility Billing), Legal, Liability Insurance, Information
Technology (IT), Human Resources, Storm Water, Community Celebration, and Facility
Maintenance. City Departments cannot use reserves or fee dollars unless they are part of
the budget if those funds are not used during FY23 they fall back into the fund balance.
City Clerk Joey Bowers gave an update on IT services for the City and went over
some of the efficiencies and cost savings switching from in-house personnel to outside
services. Mr. Bowers stated that he felt like the City now had access to an IT Department.
Police Chief Bill Guiberson stated the Police Department is completely funded
through City property taxes. The number one priority of the Police Department is their
employees. The increase in funds will help cover personnel costs, updating body
cameras, increasing fuel costs, and IT related costs. Chief Guiberson recommended
looking at re -implementing and funding a K9 Unit, and Tactical Team in the future.
Fire Chief Merlin Miller stated the Fire Department is completely funded through City
property taxes. The number one priority of the Fire Department is their employees. The
increase in funds will help cover personnel costs, increasing fuel costs, IT related costs,
and the increase in medical supplies need to protect employees. Chief Miller stated that
the Fire Department needs additional full time employees. Approximately 17% of
emergency service calls are over lapping, and increasing. Chief Miller stated that as
discussed with the Council at their May 2, 2018 Study Session Meeting and in multiple
Department Head priority meetings, the City had planned to use the funds from the 1992
urban renewal district that is set to expire to fund additional personnel for the Fire
Department. Which will help significantly cut down on over lapping emergency service
calls. Chief Miller stated that in 1990 the City had 7 Fire Chiefs, and recommended
looking at moving towards having more than one Chief in the future.
The Council asked to have a separate study session about the Fire Department and
future needs, and one about the Police Department and future needs.
Community Services Director Devin Hillam stated that the Departments that make up
the Community Services Department included Building, Development Services,
Planning, and Parks & Recreation. Mr. Hillam went over the roles and responsibilities for
each department and their efforts to be more efficient, effective, and economical which
includes moving from paper based permitting to an online permitting system. Mr. Hillam
gave an update on the Parks Department goals and future needs. The Parks Department
started up an Adopt a Park program which is a community volunteer program, and
looking into the possibility of adding a Rec/Program Specialist position to oversee
baseball and other rec. programs. Mr. Hillam asked the Council to consider using some
of the funds from the 1992 urban renewal district that is set to expire to go towards the
Parks Department.
ADJOURN: Mayor Kevin England adjourned at 5:58.
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e e - ity Clerk Kevin England ayor