The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Lance Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Mike Knight, Tracy Nelson, and Jack Lamont.
Minutes from the August 1, 2017, council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve the July 2017 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the July 2017 Financial reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve and authorize August 2017 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve the August 2017 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and the Light & Water Departments. Alderman Lamont seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented Keith Botsch, City CPA and Auditor for the City of Carmi to present the 2016 Annual Audit and Financial Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. Mr. Botsch stated starting on page 6, the cash assets as of December 31, 2016, were $3,007,801.00. He stated this was a good cash balance but not extreme given the fact we have a budget as high as we do. From page 11, he stated that the city’s General Fund revenue was $3,111,408.00. We spent $3,938,441.00. We had loan proceeds and cash transfers in and out, which left a deficit of $496,316.00. Part of that is from capital outlay we did. From page 14, the Light and Water Fund, the city brought in $8,976,211.00. The operating expenses were $8,347,933.00. We had an operating income of $628,278.00 with depreciation of $675,199.00. If we add back the depreciation, we actually had about $450,000.00 profit but with the depreciation, we have a deficit of $216,614.00. Realistically, Light and Water did okay. On Page 15, the statement of cash flows for Light and Water Department, we actually increased our cash balance by $193,936.00; we went from $67,414.00 in cash to $261,360.00 which is good. On page 17, the state-mandated Police Pension Fund, is showing signs of stability. We do not have the new levy amounts yet but the trend of stability should continue. Alderman Headlee asked Mr. Botsch if he thought it would help since several have already retired. We have some of the older ones retired now and we do not have a lot coming up for retirement. Mr. Botsch stated he thought that would make a difference and that we had several retire over the last few years. The Police Pension Fund brought in $335,110.00 and spent $361,287.00 for a deficit of $1,885.00 for the 2016 period. We actually have $3,108,812.00 but we do not have any control over what we have to levy.
On page 60, the statement of revenues and expenditures on the General Fund, we had allowed for a budget deficit of $324,743.00 but actually the deficit was $496,316.00. We were a little worse than budget.
On page 63, the combining statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balances, the Library Fund brought in $101,660.00 with total expenses being $111,179.00. That was before the $20,000.00 that came in from the City. After the $20,000.00 came in, we had a balance of $10,481.00. They do a nice job of watching their costs and living within their budget.
On pages 64 and 65 are the General Fund Statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in Fund balance comparing budget to actual. If you were going to spend any time looking at this report to see how each department has done, this is what you would spend your time on.
For the Motor Fuel Tax on page 69, we brought in $141,800.00 and spent $230,011.00 leaving a deficit of $86,973.00.
Alderman Headlee asked if when budgeting the TIF, if both districts were together. Mr. Botsch stated they were. The TIF Fund brought in $168,203.00 and spent $103,560.00 having an excess of $64,770.00, so it is doing okay. I think there are some good projects going on now. It has helped Main Street. Alderman Headlee stated the Elks Lodge looks wonderful.
Mayor Pollard presented Ordinance No. 1530: An ordinance imposing penalties for failure to timely pay municipal charges for electricity, water, sewage, and waste collection. (This ordinance rescinds and replaces Ordinance No. 1165 passed March 18, 1991, and Ordinance No. 1510 passed October 13, 2016. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve and accept Ordinance No. 1530, an ordinance imposing penalties for failure to timely pay municipal charges for electricity, water, sewage, and waste collection. Alderman Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
They Mayor stated the City of Carmi and S.I.A.M. will be hosting a fly in on September 16, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be planes, cars, and trucks, free food and drinks, along with the Hollerboys will be performing from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call 618/380-4211.
The Halloween event at Burrell Woods will be held on October 20th and October 21st. We will be making reservations only through a lottery system. Those wishing to be in the lottery for a campsite should e-mail the Chamber office at [email protected] or call 618-382-7006 by August 25, 2017. The sites will be randomly drawn and you will be contacted on August 28th if you have a site and what number it is.
I would like to remind everyone that school starts tomorrow so drive with caution, watching for children and the school buses.
Also, remember to wear you glasses on Monday during the eclipse.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight thanked the City for the flowers during his mother’s passing as well as the well wishes he has received since his surgery.
Alderman Winkleman reported there is a crab apple tree in front of the Library that needs to be removed due to kids throwing the crab apples at cars. They would like it cut down. City Supervisor Mike Buckman will make a work order for this. Alderman Winkleman also asked about the rumor and status of a Taco Bell coming to Carmi. Mayor Pollard stated Sandra Irvine, City Administrator, had received notification on Friday, August 11, 2017, that Taco Bell would not be coming to Carmi. The factors that played into their decision were the feasibility study, possible state increase in minimum wage, and some other issues.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with no action to follow:
None.
Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Blake to adjourn. Motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
At 5:55 p.m. the council adjourned.
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
