August 28, 2006 - Preliminary Budget

SURREY CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006

Present were Mayor Steve Fennewald, Council Members Terry Johnson, Blaine Klein, Dana Larsen, Kevin Nelsen, and Laura Volk.  Also present were Chief of Police Brad Seideman and City Auditor Elaine Christianson.  Council member Jarvis Sasse was absent.

Mayor Fennewald called the meeting to order at 8:00p.m. 

Larsen introduced and moved adoption of Resolution 2006-16, to Adopt the Financing Resolution for District 21.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote:  Volk-abstain; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, except Volk who abstained, motion carried.

Motion by Klein to direct the special assessment commission to meet.  Second by Volk.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.

The North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference in Minot September 21, 22, and 23 was discussed.  Christianson requested to attend and inquired if anyone else was interested in attending.  Council approved Christianson and Deputy Auditor Rosemary McNamara to attend.

The preliminary budget was examined line by line. 

Discussion held on current employee step system for full-time employees.  Under the current step system, an automatic 8% step was figured into steps 5, 10, 15 and 20.  The intention of the 8% step was to reward longevity of service but depending on what step a full-time employee was hired at, the employee potentially could receive an 8% step after only working one year.  Motion by Larsen to amend the employee step system for full-time employees to have 4% steps per year with a double step equaling 8% on the fifth year of service and every five years after that for longevity of service.  It will be the auditor’s responsibility to keep track of and make sure that full-time employees receive the double step on the fifth year of service and every five years after that.  Second by Klein.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.  Christianson was advised to make the necessary changes in the budget based on the new employee step system for full-time employees.  Discussion was held regarding the part-time employees wages.  Raises for part-time employees will be discussed yearly during budget.  Part-time employees do not automatically receive a 4% step annually.  Christianson was advised to give the part-time employees a 4% raise and make the necessary changes in the budget.

Motion by Larsen to approve the preliminary budget with the proposed changes.  Second by Nelsen.  Roll call vote:  Volk-aye; Klein-aye; Larsen-aye; Nelsen-aye; Johnson-aye.  All aye, motion carried.