September 8, 2018
Lee Fuller
WORK SESSION: FY 2019 Budget Discussion Landfill, Library, and Outside Agencies
Landfill:
The total revenue for FY 2019 for the inert Landfill is $190,550 and the total expenditures are $232,386.
Conversations regarding the increase from 2017 and 2018 in expenditures from the landfill took place. A discussion was held in a an attempt to determine if the general funds differences were mainly attributed to the tornado. It was noted that people use the landfill for heavy objects, but not for lighter objects. Consensus was that the landfill is often bypassed for Three Corners Regional Landfill in Piedmont. The belief is that the use of the Piedmont landfill has cost the city money. While it is agreed that the landfill is a drain on city funds it was also determined that the cost of closing or expanding the landfill is too great right now. Closing requires 20 years of testing and it is cheaper to keep it as is than closing at this time. Revisiting expansion may come up in the future.
Library:
Total budget for FY 2019 $567,240 Revenue from Library Fines $8,000, donations library to the library $15,000, donations to the Library Special Find $1,000, and Revenue from the Library Project Book Sales $3,000
Barbra Rowell presented the library budget. She concluded that 1/3 of the line items were the same as last year. A request was made for $8,000 in the building expense for repairs that need to be done. Discussion was held on carpeting vs. hardwood flooring. Questions were posed by council if there would be less upkeep associated with hardwood floorings. Mrs. Rowell acknowledged that this may in fact be true, but it would create an acoustical problem and the noise increase could negatively impact the library’s environment. Council questioned if funds were present for continuing education. Mrs. Rowell confirmed that those programs were still present, but that at city council’s request last year no city funds were allocated for this purpose and all funds came from state funds. Council members had no further questions, but Mrs. Rowell requested to mention an item of importance to her. The library would very much like to change their automation system this fiscal year. The library currently pays $22,000 for the Sirsi automation system. She would like to switch to the same system the City of Anniston uses which is Koha. It is hosted by Bywater. Anniston speaks very highly of it and Jacksonville has had an opportunity to view it and compare what the different systems offers. A five year contract was signed; however we are currently in our last contract year. She would like to start a contract with Koha to start downloading all the information this year instead of waiting for the current contract to expire. This would enable a seamless transfer this time next year when they will totally be able to transfer to Koha. Koha is $16,600 for the first year. Mrs. Rowell stated that if the council approves the contract that the library would pay for the full $16,600 out of non-city funds for this initial year. The funds would come from state aide and donations. After the initial year at $16,600 the yearly cost of Koha will be $5,400 a year. Discussion then moved to staff positions; there are currently two laborer positions open. No further questions were posed.
Outside Agencies:
Cheaha Challenge direct support $5,000
Brook Nelson the Director Cheaha Challenge addressed the Council. The challenge has begun and ended in Jacksonville since 2014, where the start and stop location of the challenge was moved from Piedmont to Jacksonville. The commitment at that time was for $15,000 a year and for continued support but in 2015 the amount was reduced to $12,000. For this year only $5,000 is being offered. Ms. Nelson advised the Council that the event brings in $550,000. Ms. Nelson also stated that she spends $35,000 additionally at local Jacksonville stores and restaurants during the event. This is in addition to all the participants and families that come and stay in local hotels and utilize local businesses. She also stated that 90% of the participants come from outside Calhoun County. She went on to say that this event pays for itself and more, giving an almost $12,000 return for a simple $12,000 commitment from the city. Ms. Nelson is asking the city to reconsider and amend the budget from $5,000 to $12,000. The council asked if the County and City of Anniston are also providing funds and Ms. Nelson confirmed that the total budget for the event is $140,000, while Anniston does not contribute, the Calhoun County Commission does. The only portion they are asking the city to contribute is the $12,000. For more information on the Cheaha Challenge please click here.
Jacksonville City Schools
Total budget for FY 2019 is $616,466. Direct support $125,000.
Dr. Peterson for the school district stated that the school is currently considered one of the top school systems in Alabama. He also noted that the city has reduced their contribution by $125,000 last year and he is not sure what the intent is for this year. He confirmed that that a letter had been sent to the council outlining the needs of the school system. He stated that there were currently 1,600 students enrolled and he went on to say that additional classrooms need to be built to accommodate future growth. He also mentioned the high school currently has no art programs and investment in these types of programs will make Jacksonville City Schools more desirable and competitive and will fulfill the needs of the students. He would also like to grow the STEM program at the high school, he stated that there were 40 additional students who came in this year, but no additional funds for those students were received. He has had to hire more teachers and provide more classroom space, but funding comes in a year behind so the expense comes before the funding. Security and power bills also have increased and AP exams have been covered by grant money previously, but that is coming to an end this year. The AP exam cost alone is $10,000. He reiterated that he is here to ask the city council to restore the money that was removed to a total sum of $250,000. The council then asked what the ballpark figure was per student a year. That information was not available , but Dr. Peterson did say he would get it and provide it to the council. The council then asked if there was still a out of district fee collected on students who do not live in the Jacksonville city limits. The fee of $1,000 was confirmed. The council questioned if that truly covered the expense of a student for the year and Dr. Peterson confirmed it did not, however it offsets the amount of money they lose for taking an out of district student. The school does still receive state funding even on out of district students. The council questioned how many of the 40 additional students where from outside the city and Dr. Peterson confirmed they all were. There are currently about 80 out of district students. The council then discussed how the reduction was made in FY 2018. One member stated that the reduction may not have been intended, but that once passed they were obligated to pay what was in the budget. Council members then asked for clarification on the councils intent because the only monies paid out were $111,000. A consensus was reached that the BOE was owed $14,000 due to an error with the budget being reduced to offset election costs that were then not held. The counsel did state that the $14,000 would be paid as soon as possible. Dr. Peterson is asking for a total $250,000 that has been given in the past vs the proposed $125,000.
Commercial Development Authority
(referred to on budget line items as Community not Commercial) Community Dev. Auth – Direct Support $10,000
Kimberly McCutcheon was the spokesperson and she stated that the proposed budget of $10,000 is a 2/3 cut of what was given last year. Her purpose was to say thank you for the funds that they were able to provide and then outlined what they are trying to accomplish and to confirm that they would not be asking for more money. She also thanked the council for electing two more board members so she would start with a full board. The council then asked for clarification on the 2/3 cut. They wanted to confirm that the budget was $10,000 last year as well, but the CDA came back and requested more funds. The council wanted to stress it wasn’t a cut, but rather no to the increase and Ms. McCutcheon confirmed that this was correct. The council asked if Ms. McCutcheon could name any businesses that they were working with. She named the old SWANK building and the old Roma’s building as two buildings that are about to be receiving grant money for restoration and improvement and the old Outfitter’s building is another that has benefited from the authority, as well as, Wise Guys Pizza. The Council questioned if the grants could only be used for areas in the square and Ms. McCutcheon responded to confirmed that the grants refer to the overlay district and are not restricted to the square, but the square is their current focus. The various grants cover the blocks surrounding the square as well and that actually run from Coffee Street down by Cecil’s. She confirmed that the CDA did also receive an application from the area surrounding the square, but were focusing on the square proper. They also were responsible for the Jacksonville Mural located the side of a building as people enter the square.
No other outside agencies were present, but the proposed FY 2019 budgets are below for each agency as listed on the proposed budget draft.
Crime-stoppers $500
Cal. Co . Health Dept Dir. Support $9,000
Cal/Cle. Co.Mental Health – Direct Support $11,000
Coosa Valley Youth Svcs – Direct Support $10,000
Cal. Co. Dept. Human Resources – Direct Support $500
Children’s SVCS – Direct Support $650
Cal/Cle Children Ctr, Inc. – Direct Support $650
Paratransit – Other Contract Services $23,000
Big Bro/Sis – Direct Support $600
Boys/Girls Club – Direct Support $9,500
Arts Council – Direct Support $3,500
Industrial Dev. Bd. – Direct Support $10,000
Total Outside agencies $95,900
Council confirms that once they get all the requests and budgets. They will then determine what adjustments can be made.
No other business.
Meeting Adjourned.
