City Council

Wednesday, May 17,2006
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
BUDGET WORK MEETING
MAY 17, 2006, 5:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Larry Gardner
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Rod Orton
Council Member Gail Bunker
Council Member Bob Whatcott
City Manager Gary Esplin
Deputy City Recorder Judith Mayfield

PRAYER: An opening prayer was given by Council Member Orton.

BUDGET PRESENTATION:
Police Chief Marlon Stratton gave a brief overview of the Community Action Teams and explained how they are structured with six Police Officers to each team. He said that there are currently six patrol squads that are assigned to specific neighborhoods for a one year period. Chief Stratton also briefly discussed what had been done to identify and check addresses on registered sex offenders in the City. He stated that he has requested four new Police Officer positions for the upcoming year and additional equipment that will result in an approximate 10% increase over the 2005-2006 budget. Chief Stratton also explained the budget requests for the Police Dispatch Services. He said that they have met with other law enforcement agencies in the County and have received a commitment from them to fund 48% of the cost for seven additional Emergency Medical Dispatcher positions which are being requested in the 2006-2007 budget.

Fire Chief Robert Stoker explained that the three Fire Fighter positions requested in the budget will be partially funded by the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant. He said that he had also requested a Fire Captain position which would be funded by the department budget.

Leisure Services Director Kent Perkins talked about the various divisions in his department. He gave a brief description of several Park Planning projects. Mr. Perkins explained that Recreation Administration had separated its budget into five additional divisions in order to facilitate accountability, and ownership. He said that the Building Division had been asked to take on several new buildings for the next budget year. Mr. Perkins stated that the Marathon will be celebrating its 30th year and had 8600 applications for the upcoming October event. He explained to the Council that he had received results from a survey that had been completed by about 13,000 residents and that the trails were identified as the most attractive feature of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Mr. Perkins said that the department has over 16 part-time positions that are unfilled and said that was why he had requested an increase to the part-time wages. He stated that other requests were for a copier for $7,500, floor replacement on the auxiliary gym in the Rec Center for $23,000, and a flat bed trailer for $20,000.

Community Development Director Bob Nicholson stated there are two basic areas in his department: Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement. He said that he had requested a Planner I position to help in the office and be responsible for the Community Development Block Grant Program. He said that the City has $500,000 in CDBG funds annually and there is $40,000 designated for professional services that can be used to pay for the position.

Manager of Support Services Marc Mortensen went through a Power Point presentation that gave an overview of current and future IT projects. He said that the budget includes a request for a Voice over IP telephone system in the amount of $148,000 and a request from the Capital Projects Fund for the Gigabit Network Backbone and Server Consolidation in the amount of $194,000.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager, Deanna Brklacich provided the Mayor and Council Members with a handout that showed budget comparisons and a pie chart of the overall proposed budget.

The meeting adjourned.



________________________
Judith Mayfield, Deputy City Recorder