Minutes: Evansville Finance Committee: November 2006

Finance and Labor Relations Committee
Regular Meeting
Monday, November 13, 2006 5:30 PM
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI

MINUTES

Chairperson Cothard called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Present were Chairperson Cothard and Alderpersons Braunschweig and Juergens. Staff present: Eric Jepperson, Finance Director, and Jim Beilke, Clerk/Treasurer. Mayor Decker and Ald. Sornson were present in the audience.

Approval of Agenda
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to delete agenda item E, Finance Director employment contract, and item F, Human Resource Administrator employment contract from the agenda and to move agenda item 9(A), Ordinance #2006-40, and item 9 (G), Mary Thomas, to follow agenda item 7, City bills. Motion to approve the agenda, as amended, carried.

Approval of Minutes
Motion by Cothard, seconded by Braunschweig, to waive the reading and approve the minutes for the regular meeting on October 9, 2006 as printed. Motion passed.

Citizen appearances other than agenda items listed - None

Water & Light Department Bills
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to approve the Water & Light bills in the amount of $537,962.40 and authorize their payment. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

City Bills
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to approve the City bills in the amount of $320,505.77 and authorize their payment. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

New Business (Amended)
Motion by Cothard, seconded by Braunschweig, to recommend to Council adoption of Ordinance #2006-40, adopting 2007 city operating and capital budgets and tax levies. Jennifer Petruzzello, Budget Consultant, reported the actual assessed valuation of all property was $292,163,500, which is lower than the original estimate. Also, the City received notice that their Expenditure Restraint Payment for 2007 will be reduced, and the General fund was increased to offset the reduction in the State Expenditure Restraint payment. Because of these two changes, the reduction in the tax rate was reduced from 0.41% to 0.31%. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

Mary Thomas led the discussion regarding her request for a refund of property taxes for parcel No. 6-27-96B. A letter from Hallie Wendorff, City Assessor, concluded Ms. Thomas does not have a claim to any back taxes because she has not met the requirements to receive a refund under Wisconsin State Statue 74.33. Ms. Thomas distributed a copy of Statute 74.33 and stated she does have a claim. She owns only the top level of the building at 7 ½ West Main Street, and Chris Helgesen owns all the land where the building is located. She is requesting a refund for taxes paid on her land assessment from 1997 to 2005. After reviewing her situation with the Rock County Real Property Lister and the Department of Revenue, the city assessor’s decision was to assess the land her stairs lies on (4 feet wide by 30 feet long), because she has beneficial ownership of the stairs. Thus, her Statement of Assessment reflects a land assessment of $1,000. The Committee advised her there is nothing they can do based on the copy of Statue 74.33 that she distributed. She would have to seek legal counsel.

Unfinished Business
Since there was very little activity for the monthly report of City Attorney and City Engineer expenditures for preparation of future Department of Transportation and Department of Commerce grant applications, the Committee passed over this agenda item.

Motion by Cothard, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve insurance proposal from Community Company in the amount of $37,868. Baer Insurance Services’ proposal was $38,750, and Fitzgerald, Clayton, James, & Kasten Inc Insurance Company’s proposal was $38,854 (See attachments). Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

New Business
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to recommend to Council adoption of Resolution #2006-44, amending the City of Evansville’s swimming pool rates. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to recommend to Council adoption of Resolution #2006-46, amending the Adopted 2006 City Budget for transfer of Appropriation from account 40-5220-830, Police Vehicle Purchase, to account 40-5220-840, Police Equipment Purchase. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to recommend to Council adoption of Resolution #2006-47, establishing the Municipal Judge’s salary for the year 2007. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

Adjournment
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to adjourn at 6:18 PM. Motion passed.


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