HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-17 Finance MinutesCity of Tukwila
City Council Finance Committee
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2018 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall
Councilmembers: De'Sean Quinn, Chair; Dennis Robertson, Kate Kruller
Staff: David Cline, Peggy McCarthy, Vicky Carlsen, Bruce Linton
CALL TO ORDER: Committee Chair Quinn called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. PRESENTATIONS
Committee Chair Quinn welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year. He stated he expects
meetings will start on time, everyone will come prepared, parallel information will be provided to
other Committees when applicable so the discussions don't have to start over when they come to
the full Council, and Committee members will use their many years of experience to get through
difficult discussions and decisions.
II. BUSINESS AGENDA
A. November 2017 General Fund Update
Staff presented the November 2017 General Fund financial report. She reminded the
Committee the budget is an allocated budget based on the prior year spending pattern for each
line item. The budget in this financial report includes the adopted 2017 budget amendments.
Ms. Carlsen noted that the General Fund transfers to other funds is done on an as needed basis
rather than based strictly on the budgeted amount. Councilmember Kruller asked if this is a
change in policy. Chair Quinn and Ms. Carlsen both responded that this practice has been
followed in the past. Ms. Carlsen pointed out the decline in Fire overtime costs.
Councilmember Kruller commented that the TIS department director spent a lot when he came
on board, and she feels the spikes and peaks in spending are hard to track and the budget is
much higher than it ever used to be. Councilmember Robertson suggested discussing whether
the funds are being spent wisely at another time.
Chair Quinn commented that definitions, such as allocated budget, and understandings will be
discussed at the Council retreat. He requested that a sheet of definitions be prepared by staff
for use by the Committee.
Councilmember Robertson commented that he didn't see any trends in the financial information
except for some reductions in head count due to vacant positions and commented that he
expects the monthly financial review of the General Fund to continue in 2018, as well as the
Citywide quarterly financial overview. DISCUSSION ONLY.
Finance Committee Minutes January 17, 2018
III. MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember Robertson presented a copy of a revenue alternatives matrix prepared and
distributed by staff in 2015. It was requested that the matrix be shared with the Council.
Councilmember Kruller asked to see the 2018 work plan and wondered if the goals and objectives
left over from 2017 have been included on it. Chair Quinn stated in reference to the work plan that
the Committee members' years of experience will help them power through the issues.
Adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Committee Chair Approval
Minutes by PM