Syracuse Council Reviews 2021 Budget But Takes No Action
July 22, 2020 at 11:00 p.m.
By Denise Federow-
Before the discussion started, Councilman Bill Musser asked if they were going to see cuts in the town’s revenue. Clerk-Treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker said the estimate from the state would be the same as this year.
“Most decreases will happen two-three years from now – 2021 is not as disastrous as originally projected,” she said.
Kehr-Wicker said the proposed tax rate for 2021 has actually gone down 1%. It is estimated at $0.9814 per $1,000 assessed valuation verus the certified rate for 2020 of $0.99.
Council President Paul Stoelting said they are usually under the maximum levy and he wondered if “With future state reductions, budget-wise maybe keep it closer to the maximum tax levy.”
Kehr-Wicker said she did a 10-year study of the growth quotient given every year by the Department of Local Government Finance, which is how they calculate revenue. In the past 10 years, it’s never been less than 2.4% but this year the state said it was 4.2% but Paula wasn’t asking for the maximum levy.
Kehr-Wicker was looking for an increase of $28,695, the majority of which would be for an additional employee. Councilman Larry Siegel questioned that, saying he thought the consensus was they weren’t going to add any more employees so how was she justifying it. She explained with the new regulations it’s created a lot more work. She also wanted to cross train her employee to be ready when a longtime employee retires. A lengthy discussion ensued and they circled back to the topic later.
Stoelting said, “My feeling is we shouldn’t be adding employees right now. There’s a difference between want and need.”
Councilmen Tom Hoover and Larry Martindale said they could see how increased regulations could create more work and if she needed more help, she should have it. Town Manager Mike Noe added with vacation time, it’s hard to cover with the employees she has.
Musser said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea with the benefits we’d have to pay to add an employee. I think we should put it off for year.”
Kehr-Wicker said she’d just have to increase overtime and a couple of council members felt that was preferable to paying benefits.
Noe is looking to increase his budget by $10,350 to replace equipment. He said, “My belief is we need to replace stuff a little at a time so we’re not hit with a large amount at once. In the past Syracuse is behind the eight-ball in replacing equipment. Some of the things I’ve replaced should have been done a long time ago.”
Siegel said he wanted to know what was being replaced and asked Noe to come up with a list of what he thought he needed to replace.
The Parks Department is proposing a $15,000 increase – $13,000 of which was for an increase in full-time labor. Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson said it was overtime because of evening and weekend work for events. Kehr-Wicker said the amount was based on the last three years average.
The council also questioned Noe’s administrative assistant pay of $15,000 more than previously. Noe said she’s been in that position a year and a half but has worked for the city for over 23 years. Kehr-Wicker said her salary is split between four departments – town manager, water, wastewater and streets.
Decreases in the budget include a decrease of $14,100 in police, $15,400 in streets and in cumulative storm a decrease of $250,000.
The entire budget is a decrease of $389,782 from this year’s budget.
No action was taken on the budget.
Mickey Scott, fire chief, had the fire territory budget and the council did approve it. He said the operating budget dropped $32,000 because the township is paying hazard pay from their rainy day fund.
The operating budget is $1,986,606 and the equipment budget is $151,000.
Before the discussion started, Councilman Bill Musser asked if they were going to see cuts in the town’s revenue. Clerk-Treasurer Paula Kehr-Wicker said the estimate from the state would be the same as this year.
“Most decreases will happen two-three years from now – 2021 is not as disastrous as originally projected,” she said.
Kehr-Wicker said the proposed tax rate for 2021 has actually gone down 1%. It is estimated at $0.9814 per $1,000 assessed valuation verus the certified rate for 2020 of $0.99.
Council President Paul Stoelting said they are usually under the maximum levy and he wondered if “With future state reductions, budget-wise maybe keep it closer to the maximum tax levy.”
Kehr-Wicker said she did a 10-year study of the growth quotient given every year by the Department of Local Government Finance, which is how they calculate revenue. In the past 10 years, it’s never been less than 2.4% but this year the state said it was 4.2% but Paula wasn’t asking for the maximum levy.
Kehr-Wicker was looking for an increase of $28,695, the majority of which would be for an additional employee. Councilman Larry Siegel questioned that, saying he thought the consensus was they weren’t going to add any more employees so how was she justifying it. She explained with the new regulations it’s created a lot more work. She also wanted to cross train her employee to be ready when a longtime employee retires. A lengthy discussion ensued and they circled back to the topic later.
Stoelting said, “My feeling is we shouldn’t be adding employees right now. There’s a difference between want and need.”
Councilmen Tom Hoover and Larry Martindale said they could see how increased regulations could create more work and if she needed more help, she should have it. Town Manager Mike Noe added with vacation time, it’s hard to cover with the employees she has.
Musser said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea with the benefits we’d have to pay to add an employee. I think we should put it off for year.”
Kehr-Wicker said she’d just have to increase overtime and a couple of council members felt that was preferable to paying benefits.
Noe is looking to increase his budget by $10,350 to replace equipment. He said, “My belief is we need to replace stuff a little at a time so we’re not hit with a large amount at once. In the past Syracuse is behind the eight-ball in replacing equipment. Some of the things I’ve replaced should have been done a long time ago.”
Siegel said he wanted to know what was being replaced and asked Noe to come up with a list of what he thought he needed to replace.
The Parks Department is proposing a $15,000 increase – $13,000 of which was for an increase in full-time labor. Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson said it was overtime because of evening and weekend work for events. Kehr-Wicker said the amount was based on the last three years average.
The council also questioned Noe’s administrative assistant pay of $15,000 more than previously. Noe said she’s been in that position a year and a half but has worked for the city for over 23 years. Kehr-Wicker said her salary is split between four departments – town manager, water, wastewater and streets.
Decreases in the budget include a decrease of $14,100 in police, $15,400 in streets and in cumulative storm a decrease of $250,000.
The entire budget is a decrease of $389,782 from this year’s budget.
No action was taken on the budget.
Mickey Scott, fire chief, had the fire territory budget and the council did approve it. He said the operating budget dropped $32,000 because the township is paying hazard pay from their rainy day fund.
The operating budget is $1,986,606 and the equipment budget is $151,000.
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