City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba introduced the item; and recognized Assistant City Manager Larry Davis.
Assistant City Manager Davis made a PowerPoint Presentation (PPP); provided an overview of the FY 2022-2023 budget; focused on the general fund; spoke to revenues and expenditures; to service enhancements; outlined the Water Resources Department rate increase proposal; reviewed water and sewer capacity; spoke to employee compensation; to additional funding sources; to a capital improvements program; and to economic development incentives.
Mayor Vaughan requested staff to research the staff salary structure; and to provide peer city comparisons.
Discussion took place regarding employee compensation; public safety positions; and employee morale, benefits, and retention.
Councilmember Hightower requested staff to provide a payroll study.
Budget Director Jon Decker continued the PPP; highlighted the FY 2021-2022 general fund projections; provided an overview of tax revenues and capital expenditures; spoke to the total budget; and to primary cost drivers.
Discussion continued regarding the anticipated 2022 bonds; increasing the fund balance; and an upcoming meeting with the Local Government Commission (LGC).
Finance Director Marlene Druga continued the PPP; highlighted FY 2022-2023 general fund revenues; provided an overview of property and sales tax, and intergovernmental allocations; spoke to property re-evaluations; to tax rate changes; to real property averages; to estimated tax comparisons; to solid waste user fees; to household hazardous waste; and to commercial recycling.
Discussion ensued regarding loose leaf collection; drainage systems; stormwater runoff; and cart fees and inspections.
Mr. Decker continued the PPP; addressed state mandated fire inspection fees; spoke to future staffing demands; and to a comprehensive fee schedule.
Planning Department Director Sue Schwartz highlighted a fee schedule; provided an overview of the site plan submission protocols; spoke to a peer city fee comparison; to performance enhancements cost impact; to the advertising, postage, and staff costs; and to cell tower equipment fees.
Councilmember Thurm requested staff to research peer city developer fees.
Councilmember Holston requested staff to provide peer city zoning application fees; and research the zoning appeal process.
Discussion took place regarding rezoning applications; annexations fees; staffing; growth and expansion impacts; an online tracking system; fee proposals; and employee salaries and benefits.
Mayor Vaughan requested staff to provide a revenue neutral budget; a robust employee compensation plan; and include Guilford Metro 911 with public safety.
Discussion continued regarding public safety and housing; employees wages; call volumes; economic development opportunities; and rising cost of living expenses.
Mayor Pro-Tem Johnson left the meeting at 3:47 p.m.
Councilmember Hoffmann requested staff to provide data on deferred building maintenance.
Mr. Decker continued the PPP; spoke to fund transfers; to debt service; to the service enhancement summary; to the additional patrol vehicles; to fire equipment; to parks and recreation centers; to the Cultural Arts Master Plan; to facility maintenance; to gateway corridor improvements; to Minority/ Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) positions; to Human Rights International Support; to Informational Technology software and maintenance; to the addition of mid-year positions; and to the Greensboro Police Department (GPD) structure and staffing.
Discussion ensued regarding police staffing; the current GPD structure; additional public safety infrastructures; and a disparity study.
(A copy of the PowerPoint Presentation is filed in Exhibit Drawer E, No. 17, which is hereby referred to and made a part of these minutes.)