Lincoln, Illinois

Budget Workshop

April 1, 2013

The City of Lincoln Budget Workshop in the Council Chambers on Monday, April 1, 2013.

Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert. Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Jackson, City Engineer Mr. Forgy, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, Fire Chief Miller, American Water/EMC Mgr. Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.

There were ten Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) and none absent.

City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin had a handout of the budget. First chart was general fund revenues/expenditures 5 year history, Fund Balance overview 5 year history at 15%, GFOA fund balance standard, why16-25% minimum GFOA standard, total sales tax revenue 6 year history, motor fuel tax 5 year history, income tax revenue 4 year history, risk to income tax, pension costs (50-60%), health insurance (15% increase with affordable health act), general fund overview, general government, general fund public safety, general fund transfers, general fund insurance, general fund debt service, total revenue 64% personnel, revenue – fees (price public service), potential revenue streams (traffic tickets, adopt Illinois vehicle code, burden in traffic court and may need a part time attorney, permit fees [recommendation to charge something], adopt 50/50 sidewalk program [deterring people from getting sidewalk]), zoning and planning permits (code is very old), preliminary and final plats avg cost $150.00, birth and death certificates (losing money), parking tickets (increase fine schedule), local debt recovery program (Illinois comptroller), healthcare (20% contributions), (investment income, business license, animal control, weeds, noise, garbage, special events, impounds, utility tax, sewer fund budget (sewer plant v. collection system, long term control plan), and need to go to consumption based.

Budget document changes (shotgun style). Combined in one location, equipment fund, separate City Clerk from Mayor-Council, created tourism, TIF Funds, Defined sewer.

Budget deficit $89,066. New revenue to balance. Look at new revenue. Alderman Anderson wanted to remove or reduce Administrator. Remove retail study, remove services at bldg and grounds. Removed Capital project funds. Strategic planning and setting Lincoln's priorities. More communication with residents.

Alderman Anderson said the processing was enlightening and cleaning up and consolidating. Alderman Neitzel said she was impressed and had seen things they never thought of. Alderman Anderson said having it in this format and part of hiring an administrator was to get rid of the minutia.  

Budget Workshop

April 1, 2013; Page -2-

Alderman Anderson said now they know why we need it. Mayor Snyder said they will have the meeting next week and they could even meet before the next voting session. Ms. McLaughlin said they could call after they had looked at it.

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said the revenue projections does not include all revenues. There was a revenue projection that was handed out. Will do the home rule sales tax.

Ms. McLaughlin said she was pretty sure that the debt service funds need to be pulled out. She asked for them to leave their binders and she would change them for everyone after the next meeting.

Mr. Conzo said $60,000.00 for video gambling was his amount and it is an estimate. His recommendation would be to dedicate that amount to the fire and police pensions.

Police Chief Greenslate said two years before some of the businesses will get the video gambling machines.

Alderman Hoinacki said to implement the traffic ticket. Police Chief Greenslate said they have talked to the company where they get the tickets and can probably use the tickets they have now.

Alderman Anderson sales tax rebates are Jim Xmas and Coy's Car Corner.

Alderman Carmitchel asked about reducing the cost with revenue bonds. Mayor Snyder said that had been pulled off the table.

Alderman Wilmert said he realized they needed to look at the new revenue and find a way to cut some things.

Mr. Conzo said he thought a lot of work went into the new document and will be a road map to help and provide a lot of information. Ms. McLaughlin said find a way to close the gap.

The City Council’s Budget Workshop adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary