HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Operations - 07/27/1994OPERATIONS COMMMITTEE MINUTES
JUDY 27, 1994
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jon Johnson - Chair, Christi Houser, Leona Orr
STAFF PRESENT: Roger Lubovich, Brent McFall, May Miller, Kelli O'Donnell, Tom Vetsch
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Cheryl Reid
The meeting was called to order at 9:33 a.m. by Chairperson Johnson.
Approval of Vouchers All claims for the period ending July 15, 1994, in the amount of
$1,780,439.90 were approved for payment.
Utility Billing Delinquent Mailer - Ordinance Change
Finance Manager May Miller stated that this item was being brought forward in order to streamline
and improve service to customers. May noted that currently when a utility account is delinquent a
notice is hung on the door. This practice is embarrassing to the customer and non -efficient. Upon
surveying twelve surrounding cities, it was found that seven had changed the City ordinance to give
the option of written notice which allows for better staff utilization.
Customer Services Manager Tom Vetsch noted that the department has been impacted by the
annexations and that this change will help to better utilize staff. He noted that the annexation letter
sent out to new customers had resulted in positive phone calls. Vetsch also noted that his department
is following the proposed landlord billing versus tenant billing being proposed in Olympia which
may change how to handle collections if passed. He added that he is working with Puget Power on
the possibility of receiving payments for them as a courtesy to customers. May Miller concluded
that there were some technical changes to the proposed ordinance to clean it up.
Committeemember Houser moved to modify the Utility Ordinance to provide written notice. Orr
seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
June Financial Report
May Miller reviewed the June Financial Report with the Committee. Miller noted that the Self
insurance fund is up $1.5 million since 1992 which will be taken into consideration when setting up
rates for next year. She noted on page two that the councilmanic debt capacity percentage had
doubled due to legislative changes. May added that the City has reduced its debt each year and has
paid off $2 million since January. On page 5 it was noted that expenses are -3.6% on the budget
without contracts settled and that property taxes on page 6 were close to being right on budget. May
explained that on page 7 the sales tax shows a dramatic increase in July because of a bed business
that had been paying taxes to Tukwila after the business was moved to Kent, the City received a
large retroactive sum. In addition, Boeing had deferred paying some taxes in 1989 which resulted
in a one time payment of $118,000. For comparison, page 8 graphs sales tax revenues without the
one time only revenues and page 9 compares sales tax revenue for the past 3 years.
During further review, May noted recreation fees were down possibly due to the fee increases earlier
in the year. McFall added that there is a possibility that we have hit a price ceiling and need to
analyze whether adjustments are needed. In reviewing the current budget analysis and forecast on
page 20, Miller explained that the gambling tax figure reflects the closing down of the operation on
East Hill which owes $160,000. The City has put a lien on the property and will need to review the
OPERAPONS COMMITTEE MINUS, Cont.
July 27, 1994
forecasts for gambling revenue for next year. Miller explained that page 21 and 22 summarize the
assumptions made in the forecast. After summarizing the remainder of the report, Miller informed
the Committee that a workshop will be held before the next council meeting explaining to the full
council where the money is coming from and background information for the 1995 baseline.
After asking if there were anymore items to come before the Committee, Committee Chair Johnson
adjourned the meeting at 10:15 a.m.
Page 2