Minutes 09/12/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 12, 2017 Background:  Per City Code, City Council is required to approve all budget transfers over $100,000.  In FY2017, a mid-year budget transfer was completed to covers anticipated overtime for Fire services. However, the Fire Department continued to minimize the number of units out of service which caused an increase of use of overtime as compared to the previous year so the mid–year budget transfer was not enough sufficient to cover the entire year of overtime costs.  In addition, the Fire Department’s benefit costs were higher than previous years because of the increase in overtime which increased FICA. Also retirement costs were higher than budget costs for Virginia Retirement System and the City’s Fire & Police Retirement System. Discussion:  The annual budget is a plan that may require adjustments as circumstances change. Sound financial policy is to cover increase in operational expenses with savings from other expenditure accounts or with increases from additional current year revenue.  The proposed ordinance confirms the transfer of savings from the FY 2017 employee bonus line item to cover the increases in FY 2017 Fire operational costs. Financial Impact:  This budget transfer will allow the city to provide for the additional overtime and benefits costs. There is no impact to fund balance as current year expenditures savings will cover the transfers. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will complete the necessary budget adjustments. Motion by Mr. Clark, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE CONFIRMING A TRANSFER OF $266,604 FROM THE NON- DEPARTMENTAL, SALARY – EMPLOYEE BONUS LINE ITEM OF THE FY 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY CATEGORY OF THE FY 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO FUND OVERTIME AND BENEFITS COSTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES INCURRED DURING FY 2017.” Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: Whitaker 17 - 394 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Public Assistance Grant revenue in the amount of $87,272.34 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management for reimbursement of costs for repairs to Cedar Grove Cemetery necessitated by Hurricane Matthew. Background:  On October 7-8, 2016, Hurricane Matthew brought heavy rains and winds to the region which resulted in damages to the Cedar Grove Cemetery Wall on London Boulevard. Estimated repair and mitigation costs, and costs for debris removal after the event were submitted as part of the Public Assistance Grant Program through VDEM. The federal share of the total project costs is 75% and the non-federal share is 25% (16% state and 9% local cash-match).  The total approved project cost is $95,903.67 with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) providing 75% of the cost ($71,927.75), VDEM providing 16% ($15,344.59), and the city providing 9% ($8,631.33).  The proposed ordinance accepts the FEMA and VDEM share of the funding.