Council slates Aug. 30 meeting for public review of budget

A hearing for public comment on the City of Libby’s proposed 2011-’12 budget has been set by City Council members for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. Council members approved setting the special meeting Monday. 

Immediately after the hearing, the council is expected to approve the $3.923 million budget, which is 7.9 percent larger than the $3.634 million tally over this year’s numbers.

City Clerk Glena Hook said while the tally reflects an increase of $288,995 over the current fiscal year, she said the additional amount in the city’s General Fund — the main disbursement reserve — is just $14,000 more than last year.

Hook said there are additional revenues in some funds that are earmarked for improvements, like the $80,000 for improved street lighting.

“Whenever a section (of the city) is annexed and those people start paying for street lighting, they like to see lights in their neighborhood,” Hook said.

Hook could not specifically target project areas that might benefit from increased funding, but said there are improvements planned.

Councilwoman Vicky Lawrence questioned the funding for Parks, and was told by Hook the tally for city greenspace has been increased from $1,500 to $8,000.

Not every department is receiving additional funding during the next fiscal year, Hook said, specifically mentioning the Economic Development Fund. Last year, the city budgeted $400,000 for the fund, but for next year it will receive $340,000.

“We analyzed all the numbers, and it didn’t spend all the money in the fund, so we adjusted it for next year,” Hook said. “If it’s decided more money is needed, we can (appropriate) more through a resolution. If we have the money, the council may consider it through a resolution.”

   Councilwoman Lawrence motioned to present the proposed budget to the public for the Aug. 30 meeting, with Councilwoman Peggy Williams seconding the motion. The vote was 5-0 to approve. Councilman Bill Bischoff, who is mayor pro tempore, filled in for Mayor Doug Roll, who did not attend the meeting.

   The council also approved an agreement with the union representing 21 of its city workers. The agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 3034 is retroactive to July 1.

   The agreement allows for a 1.3 percent pay raise with a 1 percent step increase. In presenting the agreement, Lawrence reminded Council members that employees have gone two years without a pay increase.

   There also are departmental revisions in the contract, some assigned to protect city investment and others specifically to reimburse city workers. Specifically, the city has asked that Police Department workers who are trained at the city’s expense in the POST Academy serve the city at least three years before leaving the department. This requirement protects the city from incurring the expense of training officers and losing them shortly after they have acquired training. It is felt the three-year commitment is sufficient payback to the city for that training.

   Also, city police officers are to receive a $500 annual uniform stipend to compensate them for their uniforms. Similarly, workers in the Street or Water departments who are required to purchase protective footwear saw their “boot allowance” increased from $75 to $100 annually. Receipts for purchases are required, the contract states.

   Employees who participate in the city’s health-insurance plan will see the amount the city pays toward that employee-only insurance increase from $480 monthly to $522.50 per month. City workers have stated “they were losing ground” as a result of recent increases. In June, the city increased the amount to $480 monthly, but it was stated that was insufficient to keep pace with expenses. 

   Councilwoman Barb Desch, who is the board’s Street Department representative, presented an option to purchase an Asphalt Zipper, which will be used to resurface Libby streets. However, City Council members have agreed to postpone the purchase of the $136,000 street mulcher until, at least, the next meeting.

   Terms of the purchase agreement are still somewhat murky, however, the company offering the device for sale has agreed to a longer payment term to lessen the monthly costs.

   “It’s probably the most efficient way for us to repave our streets,” said City Administrator Jim Hammons. Hammons mentioned how the city may by July 1 be able to use the device as it begins repaving some of its streets.

   The Asphalt Zipper Co., has agreed to allow no payments for the first year, which then would allow the city time to pay for the front-end loader it expects to pay off in July 2012, then transfer those funds to pay for the Zipper.

   The device attaches to the bucket of a front-end loader and, essentially, mulches existing asphalt – mills it – so a new top surface may be added. The device, which has a rotary drum with teeth, is capable of milling about 15 feet a minute.