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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN AUG 12 1986 REGULAR SESSION CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT HELD AUGUST 12, 1986 -- 1:15 P.M. BE IT REMEMBERED that the City Council of the City of Beaumont, Texas, met in regular session this the 12th day of August, 1986, with the following present: HONORABLE: Maurice Meyers Mayor Bob Lee, Jr. Councilman At Large Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman At Large Mike Brumley Councilman, Ward II Audwin Samuel Councilman, Ward III David W. Moore Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Nell Pruitt Weisbach Councilman, Ward I Albert E. Haines City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend Terry Pierce, pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Shep Mariner. -000- Two (2) proclamations were issued: a proclamation for Major Harry Powell, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army from June, 1981 to August, 1986, for his "demonstrated leadership, concern and compassion for all citizens" and commending Major Powell "for exemplary performance and wish him well in his new assignment" and the first annual "National Civil Rights Day in Beaumont" - August 12, 1986. Those present who wished to sign the . proclamation proclaiming National Civil Rights Day were asked to do so. This proclamation will be framed and hung in an appropriate place in City Hall. -000- The following Consent Agenda items were considered: Approval of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held August 5, 1986; Resolution 86-233 authorizing release of $1,000,000 in securities by First City National Bank - Beaumont and release of $500,000 in securities by InterFirst Bank - Beaumont held as collateral for City deposits; -162- August 12, 1986 Resolution 86-234 appointing Jeff Hahn, term expiring July 31, 1989, and Tom Harwell, term expiring July 31, 1988, representing Hotels/Motels; Alex Ogunmuyiwa, term expiring July 31, 1989 and Gus Keriotis, term expiring July 31, 1989, representing Restaurants; David Hartman, term expiring July 31, 19889 representing Museums - General Attraction; Ron Baumer, term expiring July 31, 1989, representing Travel; David Hornack, term expiring July 31, 1988, representing Advertising; Ric Warchol, term expiring 7/31/88, representing the Chamber of Commerce; William "Bud" Leonard, term expiring July 31 , 1988, representing Lamar University; Bill Kimbrough, term expiring July 31, 1989, representing the Port of Beaumont; Lin Owen, term expiring July 31, 1988, representing Historical; Bonnie Cokinos, term expiring July 31, 1988, representing Arts/Entertainment; and Dr. Ed Seniguar, term expiring July 31, 1989 and Martha Reed, term expiring July 31, 1989, representing General; to the Convention and Tourism Advisory Committee; and appointing Greg Austin and Pat Kelly to the Airport Advisory Committee, terms to expire May 31, 1988; Amos Landry, Jr. , to the Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Committee, terms to expire May 31, 1988; reappointing Dr. James Ivers, James McNichols and Mary Robson to the Health Advisory Committee, terms to expire July 31, 1988; reappointing Hester Bell and Edgar Perkins and appointing Galyn Cooper and the Reverend R. D. Carrington to the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Board, terms to expire May 31, 1988; appointing Karen Wortham to the Library Commission; appointing Mark Frasher and reappointing Van Daniel and Teresa Tate to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, terms to expire June 30, 1988; appointing M. L. "Buddy" Lefler, Jr. , and reappointing Delores R. Chevis to the Planning Commission, terms expiring July 31, 1988; reappointing Alzie Swearingen and Virginia Stansbury to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, terms expiring September 30, 1987; and appointing John H. Walker and John Wallace to the Sesquicentennial Coordinating Commission, terms to expire December 31, 1987 and reappointing Elbert DuBose, Jr. , to the Transit Advisory Committee, term to expire June 30,. 1988; Resolution 86-235 amending a Specialized Aviation Operator Agreement between the City of Beaumont and Robert Alspaugh providing for trailer space leasing in lieu of a c)ncre to pad; Resolution 86-236 authorizing purchase Parcel 75A, 31,729 square feet out of Block 5 of Gentz Addition and all of Lots 1, 29 3 & 4 of the O'Brien and Bordages Addition from Joe E. O'Fiel at State's appraised value of $104,326.00 for the M. L. King, Jr. Parkway/Spur 380 Project; authorizing the City Manager to grant an easement out of Parcel 75A to Kansas City Southern Railway Company for relocation of their railroad facilities; and the execution of deeds conveying the property to the State, subject to the easements; Resolution 86-237 accepting a ten-foot general utility easement from the Beaumont Independent School District for the relocation of the existing Fire hydrant and water meter on the Southerland School campus, cost of the relocation of the facilities will be borne by the School District; and -163- August 12, 1986 e Resolution 86-238 authorizing annual contracts for the purchase of traffic marking materials: pavement marking tapes from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minnesota at $8023.40; Aluminum Sign Blanks from Vulcan Signs of Foley, Alabama at $12,231.75 and Reflective Sheeting and Street Signs from Mid Ohio Marking and Traffic Signs of Norwalk, Ohio at $21,982.32. The Consent Agenda was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Moore. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Public Comment was called on Agenda Items 1 through 7: Mrs. Jessie Cooper, 446 Georgetown, addressed Council concerning Item No. 1, AIDS screening, and stated that death certificates only show actual cause of death and do not show if AIDS caused the death. (Councilman Moore left the meeting at this point. ) -000- Ordinance No. 86-86 establishing a fee of $5.00 for AIDS screening was considered: ORDINANCE NO. 86-86 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13, SECTION 13-16, HEALTH FEES, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, BY ADDING AIDS SCREENING; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None (Councilman Moire returned to the meeting. ) -000- Resolution 86-239 authorizing purchase of police uniforms: 350 shirts at $17.26 each or $6,041.00, 250 Pants at $19.95 each or $4,987.50; 200 Rainsuits at $32.93 or $6,586.00; 55 Coats at $58.32 or $3,207.60; and 50 Hats at $19.33 each or $966.50 from Factory Sales Uniform Company of Houston and 75 Windbreakers at $46.87 or $3,515. 25 from Tyler Uniform Company, Inc. of Tyler was considered: Councilman Cokinos questioned the rejection of the bid from Night-s Uniform Company for Items 3 (rainsuits) and 6 (hats) because of their failure to comply with the bid bond requirement. After a lengthy discussion, Councilman Samuel made a motion to reject bids received for items 3 and 6 to rebid these items at a future date; Councilman Cokinos seconded the motion. -164- August 12, 1986 Councilman Cokinos made a motion to allow Night's Uniform Company to rebid all items; motion died for lack of a second. Question was called for the motion to reject purchase of items 3 and 6: Ayes: All Nayes: None Councilman Samuel made a motion to award bids for the purchase of Shirt, Pants and Coats to Factory Sales and Windbreakers to Tyler Uniform Company, Inc. ; motion was seconded by Councilman Lee. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 86-240 authorizing purchase of an encrypted mobile two-way radio system for the Special Services Division of the Police Department from Motorola Communications. of , Houston, Texas in an amount of $32,394.90 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Brumley and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 86-241 authorizing execution of the 1987 contract for local health services with the Texas Department of Health in the amount of $220,206.00 which provides the City with ten (10) full-time employees (Head Nurse, Public Health .Nurse II, Environmental Health Specialist, Health Educator, Nurse Practitioner, 2 Clerk I, 3 Public Health Nurses), $2,200 to assist with payment of physicians to conduct the Child Health Clinics and $6,000 for salary of dentists at $20.00 per clinic hour, was approved on a motion made by Councilman Cokinos and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 86--242 authorizing the City Manager to submit an application and execute the appropriate grant agreement for continued funding of Planning Department staff under the Economic Development Administration 302(a) Planning . Grant Program in the amount of $60,000 was approved on a motion made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Ordinance No. 86-87 authorizing execution of a lease/purchase agreement with Houston-Galveston Area Equipment Finance Corporation, a non-profit corporation, for participation in the lease/purchase pool was considered: -165- August 12, 1986 ORDINANCE NO. 86-87 ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT (THE "CITY") AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT; LEVYING A CONTINUING DIRECT ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAX, WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS PRESCRIBED BY LAW, FOR THE PAYMENT OF LEASE PAYMENTS THEREUNDER; PLEDGING CERTAIN FUNDS, REVENUES AND TAXES TO THE PAYMENT OF THE LEASE OBLIGATIONS; APPROVING THE ASSIGNMENT OF SUCH LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP THEREIN THROUGH A TRUST ESTABLISHED BY THE LESSOR OR OTHERWISE; AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED THERETO; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Brumley. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- Resolution 86-243 setting September 9, 1986, as the date for a public hearing on the budget was approved on a motion made by Councilman Lee and seconded by Councilman Samuel. Question: Ayes: All Nayes: None -000- City Manager Haines submitted his recommended budget for fiscal year 1986-87 to City Council. (City Manager's message attached as Exhibit A) -000- Councilman Lei spoke of the Sunday in the Park activities hosted by the Golden Gators, Sunday, August 10th and said that the Beaumont Camp Fire Councils will host activites for Sunday, August 17th. Councilman Moore complained that 18-wheel trucks are increasing their use of Sarah and Lavaca Streets and occasionally park on the two streets and asked that the Transportation Department survey the area. Mayor Meyers mentioned the noticeable improvements along Pine Street achieved by the Jefferson County Adult Probation Department as part of the "Clean Street program begun Saturday, August 9th. This group mowed and cleaned the street right-of-way and curbs and will maintain this street for one year as part of the "adopt-a-street" Clean Street Program. -166- August 12, 1986 Mrs. Irene Griffin, Route 2, Box 747, Silsbee (Lumberton), addressed Council to complain about the dangerous conditions of Folsom Drive when wet, especially the 5100 Block, siting a recent accident involving her daughter Carla whose car slipped into the ditch. She also questioned the requirement for a Beaumont-based wrecker to pull the car from the ditch when she had provided her own wrecker through a friend at the scene of the accident. Mrs. Marilyn Adams, 4695 Dellwood, addressed Council to express her appreciation for the beauty of the crepe myrtles planted in the Phelan and Dowlen Boulevards and asked that they be planted in other sections of the City. Mrs. Jessie Cooper, 446 Georgetown, addressed Council to request that privatization of city services be considered in preparation of the up-coming budget. -000- There being no further business, the meeting was recessed before continuing with the City Council Workshop Session. -000- I, Rosemarie Chiappetta,. Deputy City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the Minutes of the regular City Council session held August 12, 1986. Rosemarie Chiappetta Deputy City Clerk -167- August 12, 1986 Cj 'Be« Office of City Manager aumont nt Phone: 409/838-0600 August 12, 1986 Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council Subject: FY 1986-87 Budget In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Charter for the City of Beaumont, I am submitting the budget for the period October 1, 1986 to September 30, 1987. In addition, the revised budget for 1986 is included with this document with the intent that the City Council would consider its readoption. The total budget, excluding capital projects, is $83.4 million. This compares with a 1985-86 estimate of $83.5 million, a decrease of .1%. The General Fund will decrease over the 1985-86 estimate of $41.0 million to $40.7 million or .70. INTRODUCTION Over the past several months, our community and the City have endured a very difficult period of history. Beginning with the ESM fraud and the attendant loss of $20 million, public confidence in the City's ability to manage its affairs and provide municipal services seriously deteriorated. As a direct result of ESM, the City lost approximately one-half of its management staff, severely impacting the leadership of all operating departments within its structure. Issues of efficiency and productivity in the management of government services were virtually impassible to address because of the leadership vacuum. The City began to lose direction and, significantly, the vital definition of partnership between the citizenry and employees providing City services became clouded. The ESM loss focused citizens' frustration, much of which was related to the general economic distress in this region, on City employees. Economically, the loss of $20 million had a devastating effect on the City as well. The General Fund, the Water Fund and the Capital Projects Fund were severely impacted. Substantial litigation costs further eroded fund balances. At the end of the 1985 fiscal year, the City was. left with an unreserved fund deficit of over $1 million in the General Fund, greatly reduced working capital balances in the Water Fund, and a $6.5 million plus loss of bond money targeted for capital projects. Needless to say, the City had no emergency reserves. P. O. Box 3827 Beaumont, Texas 77704 EXHIBIT "A" Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 2 Even though the City found itself in a serious financial condition, it responded to demands for decreases in the tax rate and user fees by arbitrarily cutting nine cents from the property tax and reducing water, sewer, and garbage rates. In spite of a lack of management capacity to respond to charges of waste and inefficiency, the City further took a "meat ax" approach to the budget resulting in the elimination of 133 positions and some very important services. The consequence may very well have resulted in new inefficiencies. Although the intent was to cut any "fat" in the budget, the results could end up costing more than was saved. For example: • A 1986 issuance of $13.3 million of bonds for street and drainage projects, which had been previously approved by voters, will be deferred due to inadequate revenue to fund debt service. • Ongoing maintenance programs have been largely deferred; • Although the elimination of the street sweeping programs saved money in the past year, silting of storm drains will be ignored or the cleaning of those drains will cost substantially more in the future; • Decreases in park maintenance funding have resulted in unattractive, and in some areas, unacceptable park facilities; and • Emergency curb and gutter repairs as well as the replacement of hazardous sidewalks have not been done resulting in potential increases in liability exposure. All of these activities are essential and will eventually have to be addressed, most assuredly at a far greater expense in the future. These scenarios remind me of a recent oil filter commercial that said, "Pay me now or pay me later". While the fallout from ESM and the economic recession were devastating to the City's finances, the impact on the City's greatest asset, its employees, was even more severe. The elimination of more than 10a of the City's positions (comparable to the loss of a medium size business, economically) increased workloads and responsibilities on the remaining employees. City personnel, with the exception of police and fire, have not had a salary increase in nearly three years. In fact, employees received a net decrease in compensation when insurance deductions were raised, dental insurance was eliminated, and premiums were increased. Our . employees have experienced the frustration and even some public hostility Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 3 over the ESM loss. Feelings of self-doubt, loss of confidence, and lack of appreciation have been expressed to me, all of which have had a negative effect on employee morale and the level of productivity. While the City was attempting to deal with the ESM crisis and citizens' demands for tax and utility rate reductions, a world wide decline in heavy industry output coupled with a major fall in the price of oil precipitated a deep recession in the area's economy. This further exacerbated community frustration and sent shock waves through the region as thousands of jobs were lost, property values declined, and population decreased. High unemployment resulting from this recession have decreased the City's own sales tax revenues and the growth rate of assessed property values at a time when demand for City services has been at its highest level in recent history. This period of distress for the City culminated with a natural disaster, Hurricane Bonnie. We have seen the estimated cast of clean-up exceed $1 million, exhausting the General Fund's initial recovery from ESM. However, Hurricane Bonnie also narked the turning point in the City's misfortunes. "Bonnie" rallied our community and employees around a common cause, rmndating a clear sense of purpose. Nearly everyone discovered, or rediscovered, our public servants could perform and perform well. The city's employees felt they were doing a good job and the subsequent responses from our citizens have fueled a re-commitment toward basic princples of excellence in the discharge of their duties. THE 1986-87 BUDGET !i With these events in mind, a decison was made establishing the ground rules around which the hudget was developed. The budget for 1986-87 was to reflect summarization of allocated resources in support of some definitive goals. You will find that it is not a document which addresses the numbers of paper clips or postage required by a department. It is a document that assumes a level of efficiency in discharging activities equal to that which cane under the scrutiny of the public last year. You will find, with few justifiable exceptions, operating departments for next year have not exceeded their current year budget estimates. The budget scenario that is proposed for next year suggests a basic "retrenchment" within the operating departments and funds, and reflects a "deferral" within the capital projects budget. Each assumption will • Honorable Mayor and . Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 4 carry present and future consequences; however, in light of the recent past, these approaches appear to be the most prudent without sacrificing responsibility in favor of expediency. For the fiscal year 1986-87, I am proposing a budget that will support the following goals: 1. To restore public confidence in City government, including its capacity to deliver services in a responsible, cost- effective manner. 2. To develop and strengthen our most vital resource, the employees of our city. 3. To assure and enhance the City's proper role in the area of economic recovery. ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS Restoration of Public Confidence The City's management structure has been reorganized to provide for more initiative, responsibility and accountibility from the department heads. We intend to establish direction and purpose in this organization which will be communicated clearly to the public. Part of this communication will come from increased public contact and civic involvement by department heads. The communicated purpose also will be reinforced in the eyes of the citizens by high achievement and positive and timely responsiveness at all levels. Our managers will evolve from what I perceive to have been a position of bureaucratic timidity into self-assured leaders with a new sense of purpose and spirit of "lets get the job done". This will not be accomplished immediately; indeed, it cannot be accomplished at all without full commitment and support from our elected officials and our citizens by recognizing that there is a substantial difference between negative and constructive criticism. Our employees will be instructed to understand that the citizens are our customers and should be so treated. Honorable Mayor and . Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 5 I will be creating a one call "Action Center" which will provide our customers, the citizens, with an immediate response to their inquiries rather than be exposed to delay or transfer from one department to another. Additionally, the performance auditor will follow through on legitimate criticism written or expressed through the Action Center. In fiscal year 1986-87, I will be initiating a performance audit program. As soon as the performance auditor is hired, we will be bringing the audit work program to you for review. My recommendation for the first performance and operational audits will probably include the Sanitation Department, the Police Department, and Code Enforcement. The performance audit team, composed of representatives from several different staff offices and directed by the performance auditor, will assist the departments in finding new ways of increasing efficiency and productivity. In that regard, I will also be instructing the new Director of Management Information Services and the Director of Resource Management to identify areas where office automation and other technologies might enhance productivity and efficiency. one area in which we feel great strides can be made in productivity is in the Sanitation Department. As part of the performance audit, we will study the feasibility of a weekly pick-up under an autor-a ted refuse collection program. Ile are restructuring our entire approach to insurance. High insurance costs have necessitated the expansion of our self-insurance program to include both general liability as we 11 as health insurance. Vie will administer these programs through two funds. First, beginning in the 1986-87 fiscal year, we will establish an Insurance Liability Trust Fund to provide for the payment of future claims. The reserve will be funded by the dedication of 1.84 cents of our present 69 cent ad valorem property tax. The balance of the insurance service will be provided through an internal service fund. The Risk Manager, who will be budgeted in this fund, will institute a loss control program which should substantially reduce our workman's compensation and general liability claims. Additionally, to provide professional legal advice and claim services, I am recommending that an attorney and a claims adjuster be hired to work under the direction of the City Attorney to provide litigation support and claims investigation and adjustee nt services. Another idea which we are considering during the next budget year will be a "take home" program for police vehicles. Preliminary study indicates that there could be a significant increase in police visibility Honorable Mayor and Members of City Cbuncil August 12, 1986 Page 6 and productivity in the community through such a program. Fleet maintenance costs also may be reduced since officers would be responsible and accountable for the maintenance of their vehicles. Employee Development The recognition, development and encouragement of the enormous wealth of talent and skills which exist in our employees will be a major focus. In order to establish this process as a priority, I have created a Resource Management Department which will be assigned the responsibility of overseeing all employee relations activities. The city's employee benefits programs will be re-evaluated by the Risk Management Division and an employee insurance advisory committee. Innovations in insurance and related benefit areas will be studied for possible implementation. With the restoration of the merit system, a pay-for-performance program will be initiated where employees can expect compensation on the • basis of performance rather than on the basis of longevity. Career paths will also be a major part of this program. I am recommending in the budget a nominal increase in employee compensaton that will be more fully described as we continue toward consummation of collective bargaining agreements and a job classification and compensation study. Economic Development In order for the City to assume an active role in economic recovery, I am recommending the establishment of an Economic Development Division This division, with a staff of two, will provide a coordinative managerial role in the areas of strategic planning, legislative advocacy, capital formation and financial packaging, leveraging public/private partnerships and supporting the existing network of economic development groups active in this area. Further, the Economic Development Manager will serve as an information source and an advocate for new and expanding business in Beaumont, working to streamline and eliminate the "hassle" factor so prevelant in regulatory activities. This position is necessary, further, in order to support the leadership responsibilities the Mayor and the City Council have to play in the development of the City's economic policy. Honorable Mayor and . Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 7 Consolidation of funding for economic development activities supported by the City have been incorporated into this divisional budget. Contributions to the following organizations are included: BUILD, SET, INC., Economic Development Council, One-Stop Business Center, and the Community Development Trade Group. The Community Facilities Department has been expanded and renamed the Convention Facilities Department. It will operate as an enterprise fund, providing staff and expertise to promote City entertainment and convention facilities including the Julie Rogers Theatre, the Civic Center, Fair Park, and others. Created within this department is the Convention and Tourism Division. This activity was previously directed by the Chamber of Commerce with funding from the City. Bringing this activity under the management of the City's Convention Facilities Director will allow the City to play a more active role in the promotion of tourism and convention activities; thus enhancing economic growth in this area. BUDGET OVERVIEW Revenues The budget I am recommending to you does not contain a property tax rate increase. Revenue estimates reflect the loss of $1.4 million in Federal Revenue Sharing funds. Other major revenue sources such as sales tax and franchise fees of $9.6 and $9.2 million respectfully, are projected at or slightly below last year's budget level. We have forcasted a decline in fines and forfeiture revenues and permit and user fees for fiscal 1986-87. I do not recommend any changes in the underlying rate structure of these fees at this tine due to current economic conditions. However, I am including an additional $30,000 of revenues related to fee increases in the weed abatement mowing program. Overall revenues are projected to be $81 million or 1.7% less than FY86. EXPENDITURES Expenditure levels for all funds, excluding capital projects, total approximately $81.4 million which represents a slight increase of less than 1% of the 1985-86 estimated actual expenditures of $80.4 million. The level of all services presently provided by the'City is contained in the budget. Additionally, I have included the following programs which represent service levels that were not funded this year: I Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 8 - School Crossing Guard Program ($45,000) - Increased mowing of City right-of-ways and medium strips ($60,000) - Library's Audio-visual Program ($50,000) - Repair of Hazardous Sidewalks ($70,000) Water Fund One area of great concern is cur Water Utility Fund. This fund, which is designed to be supported by user fees, will not generate enough revenues in FY 87 to cover expenses without a rate increase. I am therefore, recommending that the current base water rate be raised from $1.13 to $1.23 and the usage rate be raised from $1.23 to $1.28 per 1000 gallons. Although, I am not recommanding a sewer base rate increase, I do recommend a different method of calculating sewer usage which will result in a more equitable distribution of sewage costs. In order to reflect more closely the cost of providing services such as seal fees, tap fees, service kill, and turn on fees, I am recommending increases in the underlying rate structure for these types of services. Landfill Fund I would like to call your attention to another area of concern, the City's landfill fund. Although, the fund is projected to be in a working capital deficit at the end of 1986-87, I am not recommending a rate increase at this time. A performance audit will be conducted of this activity to ensure that the landfll is operating at optimal efficiency. The results of this study will be presented to the City Council along with appropriate recommendations. Capital Improvement Program The capital improvement program has been scaled down for the 1986-87 fiscal year because of a lack of revenue capacity to issue $13.3 million in voter approved bonds for streets and drainage projects, the loss of $1.4 million in Federal Revenue Sharing and the lack of General Fund reserves. Street, drainage and storm sewer projects will be restricted to funds available from prior bond sales and the ESM recovery. Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council August 12, 1986 Page 9 Additionally, $340,000 will be needed in the Transit Fund as the City's matching share for a $1.4 million UMTA grant for the purchase of City buses. Only $200,000 is available for appropriation from the Transit Fund balance. The remaining $140,000 has not yet been identified. The CIP portion of the budget reflects deferred decision making due to the absence of a legitimate revenue stream. It is hoped that the Council will address this issue as well as identify its priorities during an upcoming work session later this month. CONCLUSION As previously suggested, the budget for next year assumes a balance beam position, weighing economic reality on the one hand and service delivery responsibilities on the other hand. The retrenchment concept in the operating budget appears to be the proper course. The weightier matters of dealing with capital projects and infrastructure improvements are being deferred. Finally, the untiring efforts of our Finance Department should not go unnoticed. I want to extend special thanks to Kirby Richard, Amy Barton, Carol Toups, and Kandy Daniel for many hours of work beyond the normal call of duty. They have demonstrated remarkable levels of professionalism and responsibility. To Betty Dunkerley, Walter Thomas and the rest of the staff of Finance, I owe a grateful "Thank you". On behalf of all departments, I appreciate this opportunity. we look forward to meeting with you individually, as well as collectively, to discuss the policy dimensions and alternatives in next years budget. Si ce ely, Albert E. Haines City Manager