HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-2003 Meeting
COMMITTEE ROOM
APRIL 28,2003
AGENDA
CALLED FINANCE CMTE.
11 :00 A.M.
I. Review first quarter Fiscal Year -March 31, 2003 operating statements.
II. Review cash flow report.
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CALLED FINANCE
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ROOM - April 28, 2003
11:00 A. M.
PRESENT: Hons. Bob Young, Mayor; Shepard, Chairman; Hankerson, Co-
Chairman; Bridges and Williams, members; David Persaud, Finance Director; Fred
Russell, Deputy Administrator; E. W. Reece, Tax Assessor; Lena Bonner, Clerk of
Commission.
Also Present: George Eskola ofWJBF Television, Heidi Williams of The
Augusta Chronicle, Hons. Boyles and Cheek, members.
1. Review first quarter Fiscal Year - March 31, 2003 operating statements.
2. Review cash flow report.
Mr. Persaud gave a presentation regarding the first quarter operating statements.
He noted that expenditures and revenues were basically in line with where they should be
at this point in time, and savings had been realized by not filling some vacant positions
within the government.
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After a discussion, Mr. Chairman: Is there sentiment in the committee to have a
detailed report brought back to us as to where savings are being realized in specific
areas?
Mr. Bridges: I so move.
Mr. Williams: Second.
Mr. Chairman: We'll get that report at our next meeting.
Motion adopted unanimously.
Mr. Hankerson: Are we going to make any decisions regarding the
reclassifications coming forth each month?
Mr. Chairman: I think the Finance Director has recommended that we wait until
we receive the mid year report before we make any decisions on that.
Mr. Williams: I'm going to make that motion that we hold off until we get our
mid year report back in June to do anything on these requests for reclassifications.
Mr. Chairman: I'll second the motion for purposes of discussion.
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After further discussion, Mr. Bridges: I'll make a substitute motion that we wait
until mid year for any salary review or adjustment or department reclassification that
would have a budgetary effect.
Mr. Chairman: So if it is budgetary neutral, it would be considered. I'll second
that motion, too, because that's the amendment I was looking for.
(V ote on substitute motion)
Motion fails with Mr. Williams and Mr. Hankerson voting No.
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(Vote on original motion)
Motion fails with Mr. Bridges and the Chairman voting No.
Mr. Hankerson: We didn't vote down racial lines, it's just our consciences.
Mr. Boyles requested information regarding the costs for maintenance and upkeep
of mobile radios, pagers and cell phones throughout the government.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
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FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS
AGENDA
COMMITTEE ROOM - April 28, 2003
2:00 P. M.
1. Motion to approve contract between the Richmond County Board of Tax
Assessors and Elzie W. (Sonny) Reece, II for a three-year term from August
7,2003 to August 6, 2006. (Deferred from April 7 Finance)
2. Consider a request for funding in the amount of $1 00,000 for the Alliance for Fort
Gordon. (Requested by Mayor Young)
3. Consider a request from Servants of God Baptist Church for a waiver of taxes.
4. Report from Administrator/Cherry, Bekaert & Holland regarding audit
preparationlbudget calendar 2004.
5. Approve the acquisition of two (2) Backhoe/Loaders for the Utilities Department
- Construction Division from Stith Tractor and Equipment Company of Augusta,
Georgia for $49,041.00 each (lowest bid offer on Bid 03-065).
6. Approve the acquisition of one (1) Four Inch Pump with accessories for the
Utilities Department - Construction Division from Godwin Pumps of America
Sales and Service Company of Charleston, South Carolina for $20,442.00 (lowest
bid offer on Bid 03-064).
7. Consider approval of the hiring of a full-time official court reporter for State
Court. (See background information under Item 5 on Administrative Services)
8. Discuss first quarter collections at the City's (Radisson) parking garage.
(Requested by Commissioner Williams)
9. Approve appropriation from Commission Promotional Account for reorder of
City of Augusta flags plus one Georgia flag for Congressman Charlie Norwood at
a total cost of $567.88. (Requested by Mayor Young)
10. Reclassify administrative position (Deputy Chief Appraiser, SG 53) in Tax
Assessor's office to Property Appraiser II, SG 44; distribute salary adjustments to
key personnel; revise organizational chart to reflect reclassification.
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ADDENDUM
FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA
April 28, 2003
2:00 P. M.
ADDITION TO THE AGENDA:
1. Consider participation in the state of Georgia's Online (Internet) motor vehicle
tag renewal program.
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FlNANCE & APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE ROOM - April 28, 2003
2:00 P. M.
PRESENT: Hons. Bob Young, Mayor; Shepard, Chairman; Hankerson, Co-
Chairman; Bridges and Williams, members; Walter Hornsby, Deputy Administrator; Jim
Wall, Attorney; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
5.
Approve the acquisition of two (2) BackhoelLoaders for the Utilities
Department - Construction Division from Stith Tractor and Equipment
Company of Augusta, Georgia for $49,041.00 each (lowest bid offer on Bid
03-065).
6.
Approve the acquisition of one (1) Four Inch Pump with accessories for the
Utilities Department - Construction Division from Godwin Pumps of
America Sales and Service Company of Charleston, South Carolina for
$20,442.00 (lowest bid offer on Bid 03-064).
9.
Approve appropriation from Commission Promotional Account for reorder
of City of Augusta flags plus one Georgia flag for Congressman Charlie
Norwood at a total cost of $567.88. (Requested by Mayor Young)
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Mr. Bridges: I move that we consider Items 5, 6 and 9 as a consent agenda.
Mr. Williams: Second.
Motion adopted unanimously.
1. Motion to approve contract between the Richmond County Board of Tax
Assessors and Elzie W. (Sonny) Reece, IT for a three-year term from August
7,2003 to August 6, 2006. (Deferred from April 7 Finance)
10. Reclassify administrative position (Deputy Chief Appraiser, SG 53) in Tax
Assessor's office to Property Appraiser II, SG 44; distribute salary
adjustments to key personnel; revise organizational chart to reflect
reclassification.
Mr. Chairman: There has been the suggestion made that these matters be placed
on hold on the agenda.
Mr. Williams: I so move.
Mr. Bridges: Second.
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Mr. Wall: In my mind Item 1 does not belong on the hold agenda because it deals
with his contract specifically and I would recommend that it go before the full
Commission.
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Mr. Chairman: I will then ask that that be pulled from the hold agenda.
Mr. Reece addressed the matter of the number of vacancies in his office and the
reclassifications.
Mr. Bridges: I make the motion that we hold this one until the next committee
meeting until we get the direction and policy clarified through the Commission as to
whether to hold this to the mid year report or to take them individually.
Mr. Williams: I second that.
Mr. Reece addressed the matter of the number of appeals still existing before the
Board of Assessors.
Mr. Reece: We began with 4312 appeals and completed 2619 as of May 14
leaving a balance of 1693 . We had hoped to finish the remainder by March of this year
but were unable to do so because of the shortage of personnel. I spoke with the Tax
Commissioner about this and I also informed my Board that we were going to have to
stop working on appeals and begin working on the digest in order to meet the time line on
that. We hope to have that ready by August 15.
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After further discussion, Mr. Bridges: I'll make the motion that we do the
reclassification downward as requested but not anything else in #10.
Mr. Chairman: I'll second that motion.
(Vote on Item #10)
Motion adopted with Mr. Williams voting Present.
Mr. Wall: I recommend approval ofItem #1.
After further discussion of Mr. Reece's contract, Mr. Bridges: I'm going to make
the motion that we accept the recommendation of the Board regarding his salary and
approve the contract as they proposed.
Mr. Chairman: I'll second that motion for purposes of discussion.
Mr. Hankerson: Do we give other city department heads under contract raises as
the employees are given raises?
Mr. Wall: No, they do not automatically get the increase but the contract provides I
that the failure to give the increase consistent with what all other employees are awarded
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will be deemed a termination of the contract, and they would be deemed terminated by
virtue of the failure to give the minimum that is given all other county employees. In
essence, it is mandatory that you give it to them.
(Vote on Item #1)
Motion adopted with Mr. Williams voting Present.
Mr. Chairman: We have a request to add one item to the agenda regarding the
online tag renewal.
2. Consider a request for funding in the amount of $100,000 for the Alliance for.
Fort Gordon. (Requested by Mayor Young)
Mr. Mayor: I'm here to ask for participation in this group on an issue that affects
the whole area. Mr. Kolb sent me a message that he has identified sources from
enterprise funds to help defray the costs. He has broken it down in the amount of
$25,000 from the airport, $25,000 from utilities and $50,000 from contingency.
Mr. Bridges: I'm going to make the motion that we support the proposal for up to
$100,000 to work with the Alliance and the surrounding communities to maintain Fort
Gordon as a viable option in this community.
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Mr. Williams: Second.
Motion adopted with Mr. Shepard out. .
3.
Consider a request from Servants of God Baptist Church for a waiver of
taxes.
Mr. Reece: Due to construction delays they were not able to hold their first
services until June of 2000. The Commission will have to abate the taxes but you need to
leave the street lights on there because all properties pay for street lights.
Mr. Williams: So move.
Mr. Bridges: I'll second it for discussion.
Mr. Wall: This is consistent with what we've done in the past.
Mr. Reece: This would be for an abatement and that would be in the amount of
$6,534.53.
Motion adopted with Mr. Shepard out.
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4.
Report from Administrator/Cherry, Bekaert & Holland regarding audit
preparation/budget calendar 2004.
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At this time the Committee heard a presentation from a representative of Cherry,
Bekaert & Holland regarding the audit preparation.
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Mr. Bridges: A motion to receive this as information.
Mr. Williams: Second.
Motion adopted with Mr. Shepard out.
7. Consider approval of the hiring of a full-time official court reporter for State
Court. (See background information under Item 5 on Administrative
Services)
The Clerk: The committee had asked that this be forwarded with no
recommendation.
Mr. Bridges: So move.
Mr. Williams: Second.
Motion adopted with Mr. Shepard out.
8.
Discuss first quarter collections at the City's (Radisson) parking garage.
(Requested by Commissioner Williams)
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Mr. Williams: I just wanted to get an update on this.
Mr. Persaud gave a report on the status of the collections at the parking garage.
Mr. Williams: I move we receive it as information.
Mr. Hankerson: Second.
Motion adopted with Mr. Shepard out.
Addendum Item 1. Consider participation in the state of Georgia's Online
(Internet) motor vehicle tag renewal program.
Mr. Williams: I move that we add and approve this item.
Mr. Bridges: I'll second the motion.
Motion adopted with Mr. Shepard out.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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Lena J. Bonner
Clerk of Commission
nwm
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