JC Council continues budget discussions

The Jefferson City Council reviewed 10 department budgets in less than three hours Thursday night, making several proposed changes to the mayor's draft 2015 budget.

At the Budget Committee meeting Thursday, council members reviewed the Planning and Protective Services Department, as well as all administrative budgets, from city administrator to information technology, and a consistent theme from the department heads appeared to be that staffing levels were too low.

"I have to admit that really we're struggling," said Gail Strope, Human Resources director. "It's easy for me to tell you that we need more employees in the department."

The council placed several items relating to staffing levels on the parking lot Thursday including an administrative assistant position in the Human Resources Department, at a cost of $48,615, which was approved 7-1. Second Ward Councilman Rick Mihalevich cast the sole opposing vote.

Both 1st Ward councilmen, Rick Prather and Jim Branch, were not present at Thursday's meeting.

The council also approved putting funds to reinstate the citywide internship program on the parking lot, at a cost of $27,558. The motion was approved 5-3, with 3rd Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner, 4th Ward Councilman Glen Costales and 5th Ward Councilman Larry Henry voting against the measure.

Henry said as great as the internship program is, "we've got way too many more priorities already on the parking lot."

(After Thursday's meeting, the parking lot items have made expenditures outpace revenues by more than $270,000.)

The council also unanimously approved adding $8,000 to the parking lot for the municipal court budget to allow for one part-time, no benefit position. At the suggestion of City Attorney Drew Hilpert, the council approved taking those funds from the city's parking fund to compensate the court staff for taking over all duties concerning parking tickets and summons.

If approved for the final budget, it would have no effect on the general fund.

The council also unanimously approved putting an elimination of security funds from the mayor and council budget on the parking lot, which would save $1,500. Costales, who made the motion, said this would only effect the security at City Council meetings, not municipal court, and he feels secure having one police officer stationed at the meeting.

"We do have a uniformed officer in the room (at council meetings)," Costales said. "If there was a threat, he could take care of it."

Costales also made a motion to put an elimination of the training and education funds from the mayor and council budget on the parking lot, which would save $1,400. Costales said less than $200 has been used from that line item in the last five years and if any council member wants to receive training at the city's expense, they can request it through the council.

The motion was approved 6-2, with 3rd Ward Councilman Ken Hussey and 5th Ward Councilman Ralph Bray voting against the measure.

Also approved for the parking lot Thursday were funds for a reconnaissance survey of more than 200 homes near the West Main Street area that would enable the neighborhood to become an historic district, at a cost of $15,000; and a small adjustment to the metropolitan planning organization budget that equals less than $200 of added city expense.

The next Budget Committee meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, where the committee is expected to review the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, the capital improvements budget, any special revenue funds, as well as payroll and benefits for city employees.

Mayor Eric Struemph was not present at Thursday's meeting.