City of Chillicothe Finance Committee met August 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
The Finance Committee met on August 16, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Present: Chairman Thornton, Alderman Colwell, Mayor White, Office Manager Passage
Absent: Alderman Cantwell
Chairman Thornton called the meeting to order.
Office Manager Passage presented information regarding the tax levy. She stated that the current levy Generates $634,419.00. The city can take a 4.98% increase which would generate an additional $31,594.00. This money would be used to fund the Police Pension, Social Security, Tort liability and any remainder would be placed in General Fund. A discussion was held regarding the Fire District and the Fire Protection Fund. Office Manager Passage also reminded the committee that Governor Rauner has proposed a tax freeze, however; it has not passed. Mayor White said that expenses continue to grow and the increase can help offset the expenses for the funds that are funded through the tax levy. After discussion, the committee directed the Office Manager to prepare the tax levy with the 4.98% increase, distributing the increase between the Police Pension, Social Security, Tort Liability and General Funds.
Chairman Thornton stated that he has reviewed the budget and the city is taking in money and replenishing money at equal amounts. A discussion was held regarding the percentage the line items should be at for the first quarter. There are some line items that are over, however; most of them are due to one time purchases or seasonal.
Office Manager Passage presented a list of bad debts of accounts in the utility billing. She stated that some of them date back to when the city changed systems. She recommended that old accounts be written off as bad debts. She advised the committee that several attempts have been made to collect the debts and some are due to foreclosure and bankruptcy. After discussion the consensus of the committee was to write of the debts from 2014 back.
Office Manager Passage advised the committee that in 2010 the city put on a user fee of $5.00. That was the last increase the city has had for water. She stated that as an option the city could increase the $5.00 to generate more revenue for the water fund. Alderman Colwell stated that he would like to have the rates reviewed, before the committee decided on an increase. Office Manager Passage was instructed to gather some usage information and report back to the committee.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
http://www.cityofchillicotheil.com/081617.taxlevy.baddebts.pdf
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