CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA
PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BUILIDNG, PEORIA ROOM
APRIL 10, 2006

 
A Budget Study Session Meeting of the City Council of the City of 
Peoria, Arizona was convened at the Public Safety Administration 
Building (PSAB), Peoria Room, 8351 West Cinnabar Avenue in 
open and public session at 1:00 p.m.

Members Present:  Mayor John Keegan; Councilmembers Pat 
Dennis, Joan Evans, Cathy Carlat, Carlo Leone and Vicki Hunt.

Members Absent: Vice Mayor Bob Barrett.

Other Municipal Officials Present:  Terrance Ellis, City Manager; 
Susan Thorpe, Deputy City Manager; Carl Swenson, Deputy City 
Manager; John Wenderski, Deputy City Manager; Mary Jo Kief, 
City Clerk; Constance Copeland, Assistant City Clerk; Neil Mann, 
Brent Mattingly, Bob McKibben, Dave Moody, Jeff Tyne and 
Carolyn Hinderliter.

Audience:  Approximately 15 individuals were present.

Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Workshop
  
Jeff Tyne, Budget Director, explained the budget review procedures 
for departments to present their budget requests for the FY 2007.  
A summary sheet was distributed regarding the balancing process 
made by the executive leadership team.  A recommendation was 
made by Council to review the proposed reduction of the secondary 
property tax.  It was suggested that the discussion take place at the 
April 21, 2006 meeting so there will be time for a thorough 
explanation of the secondary property tax.  The last item was 
presented by Brent Mattingly, Finance Director, on the Half Cent 
Sales Tax Funds and Projected Operating Costs as a Percentage 
of Revenues.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Mr. Tyne explained that the Public Works Department consists of a 
number of different functions and is supported by eight major 
operating funds.  The total base budget for Public Works is $26.4 
million with $3.7 million in supplemental requests which includes 
15.5 new full time employees (FTE).

Neil Mann, Public Works Director, discussed fund sources, general 
budget adjustments including increased utility costs, fuel and 
vehicle maintenance costs, ongoing disposal costs, landfill disposal 
costs, vehicle replacement supplements and supervisor 
classifications.  Other areas of discussion included residential solid 
waste, solid waste expansion, storm water drainage, fleet services, 
facilities maintenance, streets, public transit including a new transit 
manager and an administrative assistant.  

Mr. Mann reported that supplemental requests included 
establishing a fifth division for Public Transit. This request will 
include a new transit manager and an administrative assistant.  
Primary responsibilities will be to manage the transit plan update; 
recommend and implement fixed route service expansion; 
coordinate contract services with Regional Public Transportation 
Authority (RPTA); pursue funding, grants, and/or service 
opportunities with RPTA; manage bus capital improvements; 
address local citizen concerns; integrate fixed route and Dial A Ride 
services; and hire a back-up supervisor for Dial A Ride (60 hour 
week service).  

Supplement requests for Dial A Ride include 4 FTE, 1 new Dial A 
Ride vehicle. Terry Ellis, City Manager, stated that this is an 
important issue to the Council.  This will create equal levels of 
service throughout the community and offer holiday service – 
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Certified.

BUDGET DEPARTMENT

Mr. Tyne reported that the base budget for the Budget Department 
is $751,000 with 93% of total budget being employee related costs.  
Additional items relating to costs include document preparation, 
publications and various events.    

Mr. Tyne summarized the challenges to maintain the City’s long-
term financial health and to involve and assist all stakeholders in 
the process.  Supplemental requests included: department 
reorganization, contract agreement and impact fees relative to a 
development agreement, integrating existing systems, printer 
replacement, and consultant fees for various projects.  Consultant 
fees include the cost of service study to look at all City operations. 

Mayor Keegan declared a short recess at 2:20 p.m., and the 
meeting reconvened at 2:38 p.m.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Tyne reported that the base budget of the Fire Department for 
FY 2007 is $14.2 million.  Approximately 82% of the budget is for 
personnel related costs.  Currently, there are six fire stations. This 
budget includes personnel and operating costs for a seventh station 
including a northern battalion, additional battalion chiefs and 
support officers.   Large budget items include: overtime budget, 
vehicle related costs, as well as the computer aided dispatch (CAD) 
fees.  

Chief McKibben explained the department goal to manage growth.  
Supplemental requests include: an increase in annual contract for 
the CAD component of operational costs, and the development of 
the Jomax Fire Station #197.  It will take 14 firefighters to staff a 
new paramedic engine company with primary service for West 
Wing and Terramar communities as well as service to other areas. 
Station #197 will be located at 75th Avenue and Jomax.  

A fire prevention supplemental request will allow the Department to 
inspect existing occupancies once a year, decrease turn around 
times for new construction inspections, and add wireless 
technology for fire inspectors.  The revenue generated will offset 
the program costs. Supplemental requests for Fire Prevention 
Inspections funds include one existing occupancy inspector, one 
new construction inspector, one FTE contract, one administrative 
assistant, and for technology enhancements.  

Other supplemental requests include funding three new battalion 
chief positions, three battalion support officers, a response vehicle 
and equipment.  Discussion followed regarding growth and 
increase service levels.  

In order to meet the goal to enhance Peoria’s level of emergency 
preparedness, the Fire Department also requests funding for 40 
people to attend the Emergency Management Institute for a week-
long training program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.  In 
addition, the Fire Department requests funding for the Community 
Emergency Response Team (CERT) to train Peoria residents on 
how to respond in the event of a local emergency.  To effectively 
manage resources, the Department requests: replacing Thermal 
Imaging Cameras to enhance firefighter and civilian safety; offer 
additional training and equipment for Technical Rescue Training 
(TRT); and replacement of other rescue tools.  Discussion included 
the role of the public information officer and bullet proof vests as a 
safety issue.

Mayor Keegan declared a short recess at 3:25 p.m., and the 
meeting reconvened at 3:41 p.m.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Mr. Tyne reported that the base budget of the Engineering 
Department is $5.2 million with $1.6 million in supplemental 
requests which includes 4 new FTE positions. The budget is 
comprised of personnel related costs; however, there are contract 
costs for areas such as plan review and inspection services.  Mid-
year adjustments were made to help offset related costs due to 
increased development activity.

David Moody, Engineering Director, highlighted key budget drivers 
which include:  keeping pace with the demands of growth; providing 
high levels of service to customers; delivering capital projects on 
time and on budget; ensuring quality of capital/development 
improvements; and moving traffic safely and efficiently.

Dan Nissen, Assistant City Engineer, reported on the four 
Supplemental Requests that relate to the Capital Improvement 
Program (CIP): CIP Engineer, Administrative Assistant, Off-Site 
Inspector and Contract CIP Engineering Services.  Utilities will be 
proposing taking back the main line water and the waste water 
projects and transferring the Engineering Civil Engineer to the 
Utilities Department.  Discussion ensued regarding recruiting and 
maintaining quality engineers and providing support staff to assist 
CIP and to help with Development departments.  

Other supplemental requests include:  Contract Off-Site Inspector – 
Development; Contract Labor – GIS technician; Permits Plus 
Contract Support; Contract Labor – Plan review; Contract Labor – 
Expedited Plan Review; Damage Assessment team Assistance and 
Bedford Village MIDs.

Jamal Rahimi, City Traffic Engineer, reported on Traffic 
Engineering Division.  HURF Fund Supplements for Fiscal Year 
2007 include: Signal System Analyst; Circulation System 
Assessment; Neighborhood Traffic Management Project; Safe 
Route to School; and additional copier services.

Mr. Tyne stated that the next Budget Study Session Meeting is 
scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.

Adjournment:

Being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting 
was duly adjourned at 4:45 p.m.  


	____ __________________________________
                                                              John C. Keegan, 
Mayor
ATTEST:


______________________________________
Mary Jo Kief, City Clerk


CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct 
copy of the minutes of the Budget Study Session of the City Council 
of Peoria, Arizona held on the 10th day of April, 2006.  I further 
certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum 
was present.



Dated this 20th day of June, 2006.                                                   

(Seal)


______________________________________________
Mary Jo Kief, City Clerk