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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-22 Finance MinutesCity of Tukwila City Council Finance Committee FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes July22, 2019 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall Councilmembers: Thomas McLeod, Chair; De'Sean Quinn, Kathy Hougardy Mayor & Staff: Allan Ekberg, David Cline, Henry Hash, Ben Hayman, Jay Wittwer, Dawn Judkins, Vicky Carlsen, Jeff Friend, Laurel Humphrey, James Booth, Jeremy Brecher- Haimson CALL TO ORDER: Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. May 2019 Departmental Budget-to-Actuals Report Staff presented the Committee with the May 2019 Financial Report, which describes the general state of departmental expenditures and highlights significant trends. General Fund expenditures totaled $27.1 million as compared to the allocated budget of $27.4 million. The allocated budget reflects year-to-date spending patterns of the previous year. Significant unbudgeted events include the East Marginal Way power pole accident on April 5 and the February snowstorms. The City filed a claim with the Washington State Cities Insurance Authority for reimbursement of the expenditures associated with the power pole incident, and partial payment has been received with the balance coming in later. DISCUSSION ONLY. B. 2019 1st Quarter Financial Report Staff presented a summary of the 2019 1st Quarter financial report, including budget variances, sales and property tax and other revenues, expenditures, departments, fund balance, special revenue funds, capital projects, enterprise funds, and internal service funds. The City is on track to meet its reserve policy at year-end. FORWARD TO AUGUST 12, 2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. C. Fire Department Budget: Service Levels Chair McLeod opened the discussion stating that the Fire Department has consistently been over budget since 2012, and this Committee will be working to identify the right funding and service model going forward. He urged everyone to keep an open mind and expect to have honest conversations, and that the Council will be making the best decision for the community. Staff noted that there will need to be a 2019 budget amendment for Fire regardless of this decision - making process. Building upon previous Committee discussions on the Fire Department budget, staff provided an overview of minimum and current service levels, excluding the Fire Marshal's Office. There is not a specific state statute that requires cities to provide fire protection services, but the RCW does specify that cities must set their own service levels and performance objectives Finance Committee Minutes July 22, 2019 and that state law does not limit municipal authority to do so. In addition, the RCW acknowledges the International City/County Management Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Fire Protection Association as three entities to be considered for the organization and deployment of resources for fire departments. Other requirements include annual reporting and a written policy statement regarding service delivery and response time objectives. Staff reviewed a summary of the number of calls by type and response times broken out by Fire and EMS between 2014-2018. Future meetings will include a review of how Tukwila's response times compare to those of other agencies. Councilmember Quinn asked for service statistics going back to 2005 or 2006 and would like the Committee to review information previously shared in discussions around Fire. Chair McLeod would like to examine changes in service levels over the last 20 years, sources of revenue, and various specialties/disciplines in the department. Staff will return to the next meeting with the cost and service level jurisdictional comparisons, and to the August 28 meeting with funding options for varying service levels. DISCUSSION ONLY. RETURN TO COMMITTEE. D. Fire Marshal Office Staff presented an overview of the Fire Marshal Office (FMO), including required minimum levels of service, current services, options, and liability. The FMO provides plan review and associated inspections, limited code enforcement, and fire investigation services with five FTEs. There is an imbalance between actual revenues and fees for services for the FMO, and a review of the fees have shown that they have not kept pace with the market and neighboring cities. Staff proposes to return to Committee with a fee update ordinance. Some of the current services provided by the FMO could be done by other departments, such as city addressing, business license reviews, and special event permit coordination. Moving these functions could free up capacity for other services, such as the business inspections which are not currently being performed. Councilmembers discussed the information. Councilmember Seal would like to better understand the rationale behind the 2014 policy change to remove life safety inspections from the suppression crews. Further discussion on service levels and fees will return to Committee. DISCUSSION ONLY. RETURN TO COMMITTEE. III. MISCELLANEOUS Adjourned at 6:49 p.m. (4/1 Committee Chair Approval Minutes by LH