Friday, May 29, 2009

Preliminary Budget 2010

AMERICAN FORK CITY
BUDGET DISCUSSION ITEMS
WORK SESSION
MAY 7, 2009


The following adjustments have been made in the operating budget for the 2009-10 operating budget for the City:

Attrition. Current employee positions have not been eliminated. However, if a position is vacated, that position has not been replaced; cost reduction has been obtained through attrition.

Overtime. Most overtime throughout the City has been eliminated. However some overtime has been added back to allow for safety issues. Specifically, some overtime has been added back to police, streets (winter), and water (secondary irrigation). For the coming budget year, the City would like to emphasize compensation time and management intervention to manage employee schedules.

Social events. Social events such as Christmas parties, Halloween contribution, secretaries’ day, etc. have been eliminated. This is not to say the City does not want to recognize the hard work of the City employees, boards etc., but in these economic times the City would like to encourage recognition and camaraderie through pot luck activities, creative planning and recognition, etc.

Training/education. While the City recognizes the terrific contribution that training gives to the employees, during these times, the City is only going to pay for training or education for those individuals that need continuing professional education to stay in compliance with licenses or certifications.

Regularly scheduled pay period. A regularly scheduled pay period for employees of American Fork City has been set at 80 hours. This includes schedules for public safety and ambulance personnel.

Pay rates. No pay increases have been included in the budget. There has been an accrual for the year end pay period that crosses fiscal years, for which we need to recognize 10 out of 14 pay days in the budget. This has the affect of making the payroll line-items appear higher than the current fiscal year.

Operations. Most departmental budgets closely mirror the adjusted 08-09 operational budgets. With few exceptions, departments have been given what they have requested in their operational budgets.
Public Relations. The public relations contract has been eliminated.

Video arraignments. The City is still seeking approval from the Administrative Courts to use video arraignments. It is anticipated this will reduce police overtime in transportation of prisoners to and from court.

Traffic School. The City is looking into the possibility of doing a trial run of on-line traffic school, concurrently with the in-class traffic school, to see if citizens would be more likely to pay a premium rate to attend on-line traffic school, and perhaps reduce City overhead in the administration of that program. This on-line program is operating successfully in surrounding Cities.

Water. An adjustment in the water department budget has been made to allow for the anticipated $20,000 fee for the Highland aquifer study.

Sewer. It is anticipated that the base rate for sewer will be raised 4% to reflect the increased charges for the Timpanogos Sewer Special Service District fees. This resolution will be brought forward to the Council.
Dispatch Fees. We are anticipating increased charges in dispatch fees for police, fire and ambulance.

Revenues. For the most part, we are anticipating revenues similar to what we have received in the current 08-09 fiscal year. One exception is a small adjustment to sales tax, because we anticipate increased competition for our Wal- Mart tax dollars due to the opening of two new Wal-Marts in surrounding communities.

Celebration. The Celebration committee has scaled down the Steel Days celebration.

Building Authority. A Building authority fund has been added with a minimal transfer from the general fund to pay for publications etc. for administration of that fund.

Capital Improvements and equipment. Capital equipment purchases have been limited to current lease obligations, bond obligations and previously agreed contractual obligations. Library computer purchases are contingent upon the City receiving a library grant from the State.

Building-related revenues. The City does not anticipate any increases in building-related revenues including impact fees.

Broadband. Broadband has a very tight operational budget. The City is in hopes that we can come to some resolution of the broadband deficit. Currently, the general fund is covering the major portion of the broadband bond.

Fund balance. Fund balance is being used to balance the general fund operational budget. If revenues come in higher than anticipated, this will reduce the need to rely on fund balance.

Possible events that could affect the budget, not currently recognized

Equipment failure. Police vehicles, ambulance etc.
Significant emergencies.
Unexpected requests. Tri-City operational support, safety issues.

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