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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2001 Meeting I CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Room 605 -- April 16, 2001 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: S. Loyd, Chainnan, P. Simon, Co-Chainnan, L. Colet, B. Richards, R. Chadwick, R. Kanardy, E. Tarver, W. Frazier members. ABSENT: G. Hunt, P. Garnett, R. Jolmson, members. ALSO PRESENT: A. Slavens, Finance Consultant, T. Flakes, Finance Dept, N. Morawski and B. Brown, Clerk of Commission office. The meeting was called to order by the Co-Chairman. Motion to approve minutes of the April 9 meeting. Mr. Chadwick: So move. Mr. Richards: Second. Motion carried unanimously. I The Committee reviews the following information requested at the April 9 meeting. . Number of City-County employees before consolidation. . Millage rate for Muscogee County. . List of city properties and t3.,,( value. . Cost of operating city/county before consolidation. After a detailed discussion, Mr. Richards: I would like to make three comments: (I) If we're going to continue to examine the cost I don't see that we have the expertise to make those decisions. Ifwe're going to proceed we need to employ someone who brings that type of support to this Committee. (2) It looks like in comparison to other municipalities that our city/county govenunent is somewhat under funded compared to what Macon, Columbus and Savmmah are providing. (3) I can't see us controlling these expenses in the future until we give our Chief Executive Officer the right to fire and hire based upon his experience and expertise. Because every time a department head wants something that he can't get from his boss, he'll go another route, he's going to go the political route. And that makes it very difficult for the headman to run an organization. Mr. Loyd: I would like to comment on the first one, is that something that we think we should take back to the people who created us? Submit this back to them at this point that says this is what we feel like is needed. I Mr. Simon: I think if we do believe there's a savings opportunity, it could be well w011h it. Based on what we've seen, I think there is some opportunity there to save money. Not knowing any more than I do, I think if YOll look at the consolidated govenunent before and after and the departments that we've looked at and not being specific, I think you can go in there and save some money. I Mr. Colet: We need somebody with Mr. Slavens' expertise to assist us. We can't bring in somebody that will have to learn the system. Mr. Slavens: The Committee may want to consider doing a list of those items you think need to be looked at in greater detail. Then consider asking the Commission to consider appointing or soliciting or allowing you to solicit somebody to assist you in looking at your budget concerns. Mr. Simon: I agree that the millage rate is low. But as a member of the Committee I wouldn't want to recommend that we raise the millage rate without doing something about the cost. But if you did a combination of both, reduce your cost, then you'd have some resources to give a better service to the citizens. Mr. Slavens: You'd probably have a good opportunity with the new Administrator coming in too. Somehow he might be rolled into assisting in that eff011 too. He can find staff or I can find staff that might assist you. Mr. Loyd: We have been requested to provide a report of some kind by June 30. So we are going to have to do or make a request, do some things or let them know where we are and what we think we can do so we will have to make a choice about those things. I The consensus of the Committee is to prepare a report of what has been accomplished and present it to the Commission and to invite the members of the Finance Committee and any other members of the Conunission who are interested so that we can have this same discussion with them to attend the April 30 meeting. Also have each member list his or her concerns for the next meeting. ADJOUR1.~MENT: With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned. Nancy Morawski Deputy Clerk of Commission /bb I