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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07222004 BUD HOME OF PEUCAN ISlAND City of Sebastian 1225 Main Street Sebastian, Florida 132958 772-589-5330 CITY OF SEBASTIAN CITIZENS BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES Julv 22. 2004 I. Richard Smith, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Richard Smith, Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance. i'1"'C_ 3. Roll Call: Leon Griffm Herbert Munsart Linda Bethune Gene Rauth Ed Seeley - Absent Richard S. Smith Kenneth Albrecht Staff Members Present: Shai Francis, Director of Finance Debra Krueger, Assistant Director of Finance Nancy Veidt, Computer Operator Linda Lohsl, Acct. Clerk IlIRecording Secretary 4. Approval of Minutes All members were in favor of approving the Minutes from the July 8, 2004 meeting. 5. Presentation bv Chief Davis on use of Tasers: Chief Davis explained how a taser works, and how it only incapacitates a person for the period of time that the pressure is being applied to the body, and that there are no after effects. Sebastian is the only city along the coast of Florida that does not use tasers. Chief Davis talked about the pros and cons of tasers, and strongly urged the approval of the tasers. Mr. Smith asked the Chief if he was aware of the number of deaths occurring from the use of lasers, and is worried about the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit. Chief Davis said he is aware of the problert'l.s of the use of tasers on persons with pacemakers, but the glock 44's, OC spray, handcuffs, and batons can all cause injuries and death. Having the option to use a taser would be better than having to use a 44 that would result in injury. Mr. Smith has misgivings about them and would like to wait a while, possibly a year on the use of tasers. '.'&- Damien GilIiams of Wabasso, and owner of four bars feels that the use of a tool like this is a great deterrent and asked Mr. Smith to be open minded about the tasers. They are better than lethal force. 6. Clarification of Questions from previous meetiDl! on travel and cell phones. Shai Francis, Director of Finance stated that the total budget for travel and training altogether is less that 1% of the total budget. Mrs. Bethune asked if it was possible to limit travel, and not send more than one person to the same training. She asked why a person would have to attend so many updates. Mrs. Francis replied that many of the travel requests do not involve lodging. Mrs. Francis said that the total cellular phone is like $30,000 for the city as a whole, and we currently have 47 phones with an average cost of about $50.00 per month. Mrs. Be.thune asked who the 47 people who have cell phones are, weather they all need the phones, and if there is a cheaper plan to go to.. Mrs. Francis stated currently we have 20 phones at the P.D., Department Heads have phones, she does not have a phone, and the Building Inspectors have phones. Mr. Rauth asked about 2-way radios, Mrs. Francis replied that they are very expensive, more than cell phones. Mr. Rauth stated that every third town employee has a cell phone. Mrs. Francis stated that the cell phone plans are always be reviewed, and that there is a very high cancellation fee, and if you go over on your minutes you must reimburse the city within five days. Mrs. Bethune asked how many phones the Public Works Department has, and why someone who sits in the office would need a phone. Mrs. Krueger replied, Public Works has five or six phones, and that it is cheaper to communicate from cell phone to cell phone than to call from a regular phone to a cell phone. . Mr. Griffin said the cell phones are still cheaper than buying the 2-way radios at a cost of@ $1,500. Each, plus rechargeable batteries, base unit and a maintenance contract to support is all every year. 7. Open Discussion. Mr. Munsart asked how a person working under the Chief can be making more that the Chief. Chief Davis replied that the person being referred to is reaching the 25-year longevity mark, and is due a substantial increase. bf..; Mr. Munsart asked about the. increase in Health msurance costs, and that the employee should contribute. Mrs. Francis replied that the unions negotiate the employee benefits. Mrs. Bethune asked if it cost effective to have an m-House Attorney. Mr. Rauth replied that this is much better than what we have previously had, expensive but worth it. 8. Input from the Public. Damien Gilliams said Human Resources should check into the Health Insurance costs, and renegotiate this with the Union, and suggested a possible rollback rate on taxes with the increases in the assessed values. 9. Member Comments. Mr. Smith would like a motion to approve the budget, and to address the taser, for a one year period with five units given to the Police Department, and after one year put it in for the full amount. Mr. Albrecht disagrees with this agrees with the Chief, and trusts his judgment, and experience. . Mrs. Bethune feels times are different now than they were 40 years ago, and also supports the Chief. All others members agree with the Chief. 10. Staff Comments. Chief Davis thanked the committee. Mrs. Bethune asked if the operating costs for the Parks Division could be increased. Mrs. Francis stated the budget for Parks would be increased by approximately $15,000 in the 4th Quarter Budget Amendment. Mr. Rauth asked if some of the continuing education could be complete on-line to decrease the travel and training expenses. Every third city employee with a cell phone seems to be excessive and needs to be looked at again. Complemented Staff for all they have done with the budget. Mr. Smith said the three things that need to be looked at are cell phones, Human Resources to look into the health insurance costs, and travel. Mrs. Francis said the health insurance contract is in its third year, and is up in 2005. II. Adiourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:47 ~~.//~ Richard S. Smith, Chairman Citizens Budget Review Committee ;"J.., Approved at the Citizens Budget Review Committee Meeting 81J 61 ,2005. ,