When they declined to recommend his 3% employee pay raises (plus 2% merit) to the Council--the Mayor questioned the judgement/qualifications of Financial Advisory Committee members at their last meeting(Sept. 10th): "I don't see how . . . bunch of mostly retirees . . . sitting around this table . . . not elected . . . living in million dollar homes . . . probably making over $60K a year . . . can decide . . . about people living day to day . . . Council elected to make those . . . hard decisions." According to Chairman Chuck Zunk, the Mayor's proposed raises will cost the city an additional $467,000 next year (added on to a projected total payroll of $11,325,000). Zunk: "We ... only make recommendations . . the Council decides."
Besides Zunk, Committe members include: Stan Grubin, John Brown, Mac MacCawley, Lonnie Mixon, et al. The Mayor and all other Councilmen are ex officio members.
[Including his pension, the Mayor makes over $80K per year; Regular Councilmen only $7K]
Other meeting highlights:
The Water Dept. is projected to make $2.2 million profits next year-- but wastewater (sewer) to operate slightly in the red (even after next month's rate increase).
The Golf course is expected to re-open on Oct. 1st. An increase for cart rental fees (from 16-$17) may be necessary, depending on amount of play. According to the Mayor, the course has been losing $200K a year. Also, the purchase of a new "sprayer truck" was recommended (weeds).
Projected revenue from the new Volanta Recreation Center was revised downward: from $360K to 260K. Director Boyette: "I'm more confident with $260K." (expected memberships down from 1000 to only 900)
Police chief Bill Press did not include any pay raises in his own budget requests: opting instead for much needed equipment (tasers for jailers, replacement cars, dispatch computers, jail maintenance needs, etc.) and officer training. Most Committee members agreed an increased budget (over current year's) was justified because "public safety is the number one priority."
It was proposed to fully fund the City Sketches magazine twice next year (about $25K); but at least one member questioned its need at all-- calling it "a political rag . . . just pats ourselves on the back." Councilman Ford defended: "Its one of those things that makes Fairhope different."
Sherry Sullivan needs funding to repair the air conditioning and roof at the Welcome Center: the leaking is damaging museum archives stored there she said. Sullivan: "(That) building's in pretty bad shape."
$325,000 was recommended for the "Community Development Budget" (charitable/misc. contributions) --to come out of Utilities' budgets. Chairman Zunk said about $202k had already been specifically allocated to "known" charities and what we spend on ourselves (parades, festivals etc.)--and the remaining $120K could be allocated by the Council throughout the year as needed. A discussion ensued here about how difficult is was to "say no" to the endless stream of people coming (in trying economic times) with "hands out" asking the Council for money; and the possibility of forming a "non-political" 3 man subcommittee to evaluate the requests/make recommendations--was suggested as a possible solution. The Chamber of Commerce's "Blueprint for Tomorrow" ($35K for the next 2 years) and the "Honor Flight" ($7,500 to pay for veterans' trips to see a War Memorial in Washington, D.C.)-- were mentioned as possible examples of misuse of public funds: but politically hard to turn down. Ultimately, only the amount ($325,000) was approved: the way its disbursed left up to the Council (3 man committee?). [Others mentioned seeking money include: Rotary Youth Club, Outward Bound, Ecumenical Ministries, Mobile Baykeeper, Downtown Merchant's Assn.]
The next Financial Advisory Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 3Pm (Delchamps Room, Civic Center).
Chairman Zunk said he hopes to present the Committee's final report to the Council at the Sept. 28th Council Meeting.
[The Public is encourage to contact Committee Members to voice opinions].
When they declined to recommend his 3% employee pay raises (plus 2% merit) to the Council--the Mayor questioned the judgement/qualifications of Financial Advisory Committee members at their last meeting(Sept. 10th): "I don't see how . . . bunch of mostly retirees . . . sitting around this table . . . not elected . . . living in million dollar homes . . . probably making over $60K a year . . . can decide . . . about people living day to day . . . Council elected to make those . . . hard decisions." According to Chairman Chuck Zunk, the Mayor's proposed raises will cost the city an additional $467,000 next year (added on to a projected total payroll of $11,325,000). Zunk: "We ... only make recommendations . . the Council decides."
Besides Zunk, Committe members include: Stan Grubin, John Brown, Mac MacCawley, Lonnie Mixon, et al. The Mayor and all other Councilmen are ex officio members.
[Including his pension, the Mayor makes over $80K per year; Regular Councilmen only $7K]
Other meeting highlights:
The Water Dept. is projected to make $2.2 million profits next year-- but wastewater (sewer) to operate slightly in the red (even after next month's rate increase).
The Golf course is expected to re-open on Oct. 1st. An increase for cart rental fees (from 16-$17) may be necessary, depending on amount of play. According to the Mayor, the course has been losing $200K a year. Also, the purchase of a new "sprayer truck" was recommended (weeds).
Projected revenue from the new Volanta Recreation Center was revised downward: from $360K to 260K. Director Boyette: "I'm more confident with $260K." (expected memberships down from 1000 to only 900)
Police chief Bill Press did not include any pay raises in his own budget requests: opting instead for much needed equipment (tasers for jailers, replacement cars, dispatch computers, jail maintenance needs, etc.) and officer training. Most Committee members agreed an increased budget (over current year's) was justified because "public safety is the number one priority."
It was proposed to fully fund the City Sketches magazine twice next year (about $25K); but at least one member questioned its need at all-- calling it "a political rag . . . just pats ourselves on the back." Councilman Ford defended: "Its one of those things that makes Fairhope different."
Sherry Sullivan needs funding to repair the air conditioning and roof at the Welcome Center: the leaking is damaging museum archives stored there she said. Sullivan: "(That) building's in pretty bad shape."
$325,000 was recommended for the "Community Development Budget" (charitable/misc. contributions) --to come out of Utilities' budgets. Chairman Zunk said about $202k had already been specifically allocated to "known" charities and what we spend on ourselves (parades, festivals etc.)--and the remaining $120K could be allocated by the Council throughout the year as needed. A discussion ensued here about how difficult is was to "say no" to the endless stream of people coming (in trying economic times) with "hands out" asking the Council for money; and the possibility of forming a "non-political" 3 man subcommittee to evaluate the requests/make recommendations--was suggested as a possible solution. The Chamber of Commerce's "Blueprint for Tomorrow" ($35K for the next 2 years) and the "Honor Flight" ($7,500 to pay for veterans' trips to see a War Memorial in Washington, D.C.)-- were mentioned as possible examples of misuse of public funds: but politically hard to turn down. Ultimately, only the amount ($325,000) was approved: the way its disbursed left up to the Council (3 man committee?). [Others mentioned seeking money include: Rotary Youth Club, Outward Bound, Ecumenical Ministries, Mobile Baykeeper, Downtown Merchant's Assn.]
The next Financial Advisory Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 3Pm (Delchamps Room, Civic Center).
Chairman Zunk said he hopes to present the Committee's final report to the Council at the Sept. 28th Council Meeting.
[The Public is encourage to contact Committee Members to voice opinions].
Comments