2005 Budget

Major Issues for Review

• 2004 Budget Review – see the attached listing of reductions that were adopted with the 2004 budget.  Some of these items were “one-time fixes” which means the funding source cannot be used again for 2005. Budget Reductions

• Revenue/Expenditure Projections 2005 thru 2007 (all funds) – Ed Mullins will go over the attached spreadsheets, which represent current revenue and expenditure estimates, based on the assumptions provided.

Revenue & Expenditures

• Fire Station #5 – In addition to determining construction costs for this proposed project, future operational costs (additional staffing, equipment, supplies, and capital outlay) need to be considered.  Staff is refining estimates for 2005 and beyond for Commission consideration.

• Lawrence Police Department (LPD) Grants – The attached memo discusses the status of the traffic unit grant and the school resource officer grant as well as the options and costs for continued funding of these programs.  Impact Memo Budget Impact Spreadsheet SRO Info

• Employee Health Insurance – Frank Reeb will provide an update on activities of the Employee Health Care Committee.

• Employee Compensation Plan and MOU process – Since the completion of last year’s study and recommendations from the consultant, work has been ongoing in the areas of job description revisions, position reviews, and pay plan development.  These were all areas where the consultant suggested changes could be made to improve the City’s pay plan.  In addition, last year’s meet and confer process resulted in one year memorandums of understanding for the Police and Fire/Medical Departments, which will expire 12/31/04. 

• LPD Resource Plan Results – At this time, it is unknown if the results of this study and development of a resource plan for the Police Department by the consultant will include staffing addition recommendations.

• Special Revenue Fund for code enforcement division – the Lawrence Home Builder’s Association (LHBA) presented a letter to the City Commission during the 2004 budget process expressing their interest in the City forming a special revenue fund for the activities associated with building inspections.  At that time, no direction was given to staff to pursue.  It is anticipated that this issue will again be a subject of discussion during the 2005 budget process.

• Library Improvements – There may be improvement issues presented to the City Commission by the Library Director/Board that impact the 2005 budget.

• Carnegie Building Re-Use – Elizabeth Schultz advises their report is not complete as of 02/06/04, but they are planning additional meetings.