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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-22 Finance MinutesCity of Tukwila City Council Finance Committee FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes April 22, 2019 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall Councilmembers: Thomas McLeod, Chair; Verna Seal, De'Sean Quinn Staff: David Cline, Vicky Carlsen, Jay Wittwer, Cindy Wilkins, Jeff Friend, Aaron Williams, Bruce Linton CALL TO ORDER: Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Update on New Cashiering System Staff updated the Committee on the implementation of Tyler Cashiering, the new cashiering system for the Finance Department and City Clerk's Office. The system went live on March 14, and in the first month of use staff have noticed significant improvements in processing transactions, closing & balancing batches, and reporting and researching transactions. Other improvements include real-time processing of utility payments, single step credit card processing, more security, check processing, and the ability for staff to interface with the system at their own workstations. Committee members expressed appreciation and support for the time savings and efficiencies realized by the purchase, which was just under $40,000. DISCUSSION ONLY. B. February 2019 Departmental Budget-to-Actuals Report Staff presented the Committee with the February 2019 Financial Report, which describes the general state of departmental expenditures and highlights significant trends. General Fund expenditures totaled $11.84 million as compared to the allocated budget of $12.4 million. The allocated budget reflects year-to-date spending patterns of the previous year. Significant variances include $237K under budget for Police, $86K under budget for Public Works, $73K under budget for Administrative Services, $88K over budget for Fire, and $34K over budget for Street Maintenance and Operations. Fire is over budget due to the filling of four pipeline positions and overtime costs partially due to the snow events in February. Street Maintenance and Operations is also over budget mainly due to the snow events. Further analysis of the Fire Department's operating cost issues will be presented to the Committee in May. Committee members discussed the information with particular attention to the extra costs associated with the February snow events. They stressed the importance of effective communication about the costs of services. DISCUSSION ONLY. Finance Committee Minutes April 22, 2019 C. Business License Transition to the State Staff updated the Committee on the transition of business licensing to the State of Washington, which was required by Engrossed House Bill 2005 in 2017. While the State is the City's agent for collecting, processing and disbursing information, licenses and fees, the City retains power and authority over its licensing. The transition occurred on March 28, 2019, and the City conducted outreach to the business community prior to that date. There is also a new kiosk at the Finance front counter that allows businesses to access the State site and pay utility bills. The transition benefits the City in that it will allow more data collection and reporting options. Staff expects it will help answer the questions about Tukwila's zip code and the proper collection of sales tax. It will also be easier to identify businesses operating without a Tukwila business license. Chair McLeod asked if staff had received new feedback about the rate increase authorized by Council in 2018. Staff said that it has been minimal. Councilmember Quinn asked if the State uses an accurate boundary map, and staff will follow up. DISCUSSION ONLY. III. MISCELLANEOUS Adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH