Minutes 04/29/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THURSDAY, APRIL 29. 1999 Council next considered the budget request of the Water Resources Department. Water Resources Director John Dyches began this presentation with a discussion of cost savings and cost avoidance accomplishments of the department over the past year. These included five-year permit renewals at both the water and wastewater plants without the need for legal or consultant services, replacement of underground storage tanks with above ground units, and installation of SCADA System improvements with in-house resources and personnel, creating an exemplary system at a savings in excess orS100,000. In addition, Mr. Dyehes noted in-house contributions by his staff towards the City's GIS Mapping effort resulting in savings of $40,000, $10,000 in savings from use of inmate labor, and water/sewer line relocations on Commonwealth Boulevard and at Martinsville Industrial Park. Mr. Dyches then reviewed Revenues, noting a $I25,000 reduction due to reduced sales was expected, and an additional reduction of $50,000 due to a new reduced rate for large users. He also noted an $18,000 increase as a result of a new lease for antenna placement on the New York Street water tower. Vice-Mayor Teague noted that the 'Water Fund contribution to the General Fund could not continue at the current level and retain enough of a reserve to meet goals. Mr. Bartlett stated that the Water Fund could continue to cover its operational costs with the current level of transtir to the General Fund, but could not cover its depreciation expenses. Mr. Reynolds noted that there was a 27% increase in the transfer to the General. Fund in the propose Water Fund budget, and that this would need to be reduced in the future. Under Personnel, Mr. Dyches stated that the apparent increase in one position was actually just a transfer of a position from Sewer Maintenance to Water Maintenance. Additional discussion then occurred concerning fund balance information. Mr. Reynolds informed Council of a new policy of no reappropriations in August in the General Fund, and only a few in the Enterprise Funds. Consequently, Mr. Reynolds stated, when the audits of fund balances are produced this year figures for reappropriations would not have to be subtracted to calculate accurate fund balances. Both Vice-Mayor Teague and Mayor Crabtree asked that Fund Balance Sheets such as those provided in previous years be given to Council. Mr. Reynolds stated that those reports would be produced for Council that aRemoon, but that the numbers they contained would be only estimates of fund balances, to be confirmed late in the year in