 Let's go ahead and call it. I'll see you at the order. Madam clerk, would you please call the roll? Mr. Brown. Here. Ms. Barber. Here. Mr. Brennan. Yes. Present. All right. Let's have a room of grace together. For this day and the beauty thereof. For the promise of your presence that we've actualized this morning, being up and stirring about. We come to this place to discuss and of course, to hear presentations as our city continues to elongate itself as the residents are impacted with usable knowledge and information such as individually and yet collectively. Allow us to sense and feel your nearness. We ask it in your name. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. We want to continue with our budget workshop. Discussion items and they were delving into the general fund, which is really going to wrap up the budget discussions. We will talk to you about all of the funds. And a lot of good information today to share to include something really important to me and I'm hoping I'll touch on and get some feedback for you all on our retention and recruitment strategies for the city. But we'll start with just an overview of this for your 2023-2024 general fund budget. Ms. Missy Kauffman. Missy, take a breath before you start. And then we'll go to Ms. Ola's marathon. And we're getting there. So she is our budget program management, program management and grants director. Good morning. Thank you, Miss Wilson and city council. Good to see you all today. And as was mentioned, we have been having quite a few sprints. So glad we are on our starting to see the finish line of our 23-2024 proposed budget. The general fund budget, coming to the general fund for last, really it's probably one of the most important, in the sense that it is the budget that operates the main parts of the city falls under it. So the general fund budget is the main fund of the budget. At this point, although Water and sewer is now way surpassed the general fund in terms of total amounts, but important number less. So the general fund proposed budget is 170 million. That's an increase of 5.7 million or 3.5% over the current year budget. Of course, the general fund is making it support the day-to-day operations of the city. The city manager seeks to provide to the council budget that aligns with your strategic priorities, as well as managing meeting interests and of course, managing limited resources. The general fund budget has to be in balance at the time of our plasma removal. We'll talk about our notice requirements as we wrap up our discussions today. So the city manager's proposed budget meets those goals of balancing priorities. As mentioned, the general fund budget is 170.5 million 3.5% over the current year. Revenues are projected at 146. The reason is that the 170 million is comprised of both revenues as well as transfers and other finance resources. Revenues total 146 million. That's 4.8 or 3.4% over the current year budget. And total transfers is 23.8 or 3.4% over the current year budget. In terms of our general fund discussion of revenues, just a little note on sort of where we are and what we're seeing. Revenues in the current year or prior to your actuals is right at 9.9 or just shot $10 million over prior to your actuals. That's a little over 7% of the current year budget. That's a little over 7% of what we collected in the prior year. And then we're getting away from saying or referencing the pandemic, but of course when we look at revenues over the past year, that was still revenues that were seen coming out of the pandemic. So we thought this was aggressive but still moderately conservative with regards to prior year actuals. More than 70% of the general fund revenues is made of property taxes, business license and permits. This is based on property tax collections or property tax millage of 93.8 mills. That's the same as prior year and the same as prior years. So no proposed back of property tax revenues. It does reflect an increase of about 10% of the higher fees that we discussed in previous council meetings that was being proposed as a funding mechanism for proposed prior payment. The 93.8, that is a reduction from what it's been in the past because of reassessment. And how long has it been since we had a millage increase? It's been at least 10, I was trying to calculate this out. So at least 13 years. So for 13 years the city has not raised the millage and produced the millage according to the real assessment every five years. We've actually had, yes, we've had at least one reassessment since we were at the current mill upgrade. The last reassessment reduced millage from 98.1 to 93.8. We did have, there's difference in opinion as to whether or not this was a tax increase. We did drop mills about two one year and then came back a year or two later and adjusted it back. So those two net increased in terms of calculating how long it's been since we actually had a tax increase. And that 93.8 is about 16 or 17% of the total millage people see on their tax bills. Yes, sir, that is correct. Richland County resident, City of Columbia resident of Richland County, this represents less than 17% of their total product tax. So if we're 17 and they're 17, that's about 34. Yes. The rest of that to be the school district. School district and other millage data. The zoo library. The zoo library and other mental health. They're also very much, I mean, collectively they make total 40%. Right. Of course, we're noting 7% growth of prior actions, of course, is as we mentioned, aggressive for us in this, but taking into consideration where we were over the past 20 years, 20 full month period with revenues. We know it's still alive. So we are, of course, observant of the fact that revenues are are, are growth. Yeah, the questions are revenues. Yeah. That's right. Transfers then again. They make up 14% of the total general fund budget. Accommodation tax is remaining at 25,000. We have adjusted the hospitality tax transfer to 4 million. The $300,000 that city council adjusted in the current year for continuation of the education efforts. And I'll add Missy while we're on that point. I know in our last discussion there was attention brought to the beautification efforts and our continuing that. So we've met with Robert and the team to, you know, needless to say who's responsible for what, we're going to still work with DOT to let them know that the mediums and that type of thing that you address, but we know in some of the highly traffic areas that are most visible, we have to do. And so we feel like these additional funds to continue that effort will allow us to address some of those areas that were brought up as a concern. What is the position of DOT as it relates to them? I know he doesn't want to move. Thank you. So currently they have not responded to any of the needs and they're claiming they have thought before the positions to do that. Well, we knew that was going to, I just wanted to make sure that there was going to be the answer. Thank you, Robert. Is that in writing to us? It is not. Someone put it in writing. Sure, it's in a meeting with the mayor. Tell them to put it in writing and I'll write it off. That about it. Perfect. And we have good, I mean, Robert and those counterparts at DOT, you know, obviously they can only do what they're authorized to do, but we weren't together really well. So we're going to keep, we'll keep at it. Well, it's just a shame that the state house doesn't have the same sense of pride as when it comes to how our cities and our counties, you know, is you take a lap around the state house, right, Missy? That's one of the reasons why I raise a question. I knew initially they would not have any money to do anything. And it's almost like we're taking on that full burden. Yeah. And that could be cause prohibition at some point. But on the other side of that, I think, I think PD is correct. I think there needs to be something done, something said that would at least say to DOT, we need to have you to shine that spotlight on those areas that we really need to be with that. With some money. And I completely support future funding via HTAX or that, or if not more, you know, if you want something done. Being the capital definitely needs to bring it forward. Absolutely. Absolutely. Coming in on our major, they're affairs. What's the first impression people have? Yeah. And in general, I think UT folks is so much more on the high ways that they don't think about the fact that Jumpy Street is technically a highway, right? So there you go. And I think you need to use our platform to remind legislators that, you know, the majority of roads in Columbia are actually owned by DOT. And there is there, they, they have a role in making sure that things look good. The reason they're not held accountable is they're not held accountable. Yeah. So I mean, without, without some sunshine on this, you know, without them saying, here's our position. And without us saying, Hey, we'd like to have a different position from DOT. And then, then maybe you can close the gap. But, you know, them saying, you know, we're not interested is not a great start. Before you don't change. Before you leave property, I got another property. Okay. How much of that 62 million is paid by the local option sales tax? Right. It's about 10 million, 10 to 12 million. I believe this is local option sales tax. So pretty significant reduction. Oh, absolutely. Right. We can definitely provide that information for you as well in terms of the breakout, what makes up property taxes. That's more than just what you see. I mean, that's that's a real estate personal property. You know, it does include lost collections as well. Because since our lost collections are 100% rebated back property tax. And the percentage of lost collections is how much? Um, percentage wise, it's close to a third of our property tax revenues. All right. I hope to get the most money. I was shaking the tree. And I wish to try that information. You can remind me when the American rescue plan dollars have to be spent out. So the Treasury is still debating some of that. The amendment of those signs at this point are through December of 2024. Okay. With the expectation of expenditure of December of 2026. So that's the part of, of, of getting final clarification from the Treasury in the sense of what means, what, what will be included as obligated and what means inclusion in terms of numbers. Okay. So just to sort of continue on with the transfers in hospitality tax. Our combined cost allocation is 5.3. That's the slide adjustment of a 600 and 6,000 right at 2.6%. Capital lease proceeds. They're reflected in nine million dollars. That's the proceeds of our capital replacement program. It's called a lease. As Mr. Palin explained in one of our prior budget workshops, it's technically a loan, but it's a, it's a borrowing tool that we use for our capital replacement and technology. Apparently rolling stock in the general fund. We also have reflected use of fund balance at 3 million. And again, reflected use of American rescue plan. And so just to wrap this up since you probably got to hear me earlier when I was losing my voice, probably transfers in account for about 14% of our capital general fund budget. Is that above or below? Whatever the standard is. I don't know that I've seen the standards. A good question. We covered as low as maybe 10%. Of course you want to manage that number within something reasonable because those are oftentimes either considered one-time funds or both that are not necessary. They're not the revenues that are funding your government. So certainly they are critical. We've seen as high in some places as high as 60%. So it really varies. In terms of general fund expenditures, the total general fund budget, the expenditure side of course is the balance budget. So it's 170 million. That's an increase of 5.7 or 3.5% over the current year. Public safety makes up the majority of the departments in the general fund. The representative here is 46% because that represents the total budget, but operating budgets as well as transfer balance, such as debt, service, and capital lease payments. The majority of the capital lease is for lease and fire equipment there. So if you add those numbers in, they would exceed the 50%. Follow up by general government and then of course public safety. Moving on with some highlights of our general fund, public safety, what's making up part of the increases for the public safety departments. This year reflects an annualized police recruitment and retention annualized program, step growth pay plans, as well as annualized costs for a lot of the police technology that has been of course rated every past couple of years, many of which was funded through grants and other one-time funds. So now that these represent annualized costs in the general fund, those costs are exceeding two and a half million dollars for a variety of technology based, mostly cloud solution services. So this would be reoccurring cost. On the point, on the bullet tube, spot shot included in the new technology. Yes, I should have listed that. You're exactly right. That would include shot, spot, or bodywork cameras, as well as other types of technologies. Is the city-wide security camera upgraded? Is that a one-time or is that we have that phased over? It was initial phasing for implementation, but the annualized costs, it is an annual. It's a subscription basically. It's a service. So it is a reoccurring cost. So is that service, is that going to grow as the system grows? I guess obviously. I'm pretty confident it's a five-year contract. So we'll see what happens in five years. Okay. Thank you. The project that cost over those five years, I thought we're fairly level. Is that your question? Yeah, so subscription based. So many points. Can we get an update? Will you send an update to us on that? How about where we are in progress? And also implementing the live version as well. So we actually have people monitoring. So that's another quiver for us, especially has been continuing to try to produce getting more sworn officers. And we got more tools on the tool box being used to continue to make up for those differences. It's important. I think reflected in the budget for was out in the city where we're continuing to invest in rolling stock as well. More vehicles as well. So we'll start making provide an update on that. I know if it's working for a little while with supply chain issues with the manufacturer, but I think they are on crack and moving along. Otherwise, the fire department budget does also reflect their proposed pay plane that was discussed recently in the city council that relates an adjustment to starting salaries for firefighters as well as implementation of the staff plan. There's also of course adjustments to leave and consideration for use background decisions. Missing in that budget. Are we seeing I think we'd like to see a little more detail as well around that to understand what we're doing for equipment. And you know, I know that we finally have gotten but the city and accounting moving forward on the second set of gears but also is some of the backup equipment and other things to make sure that. And so I think it would be helpful for us to do what's to make sure some great things are being addressed. These are the issues that we discussed in the last year of just understanding that we're also the pay is one thing, but the safety equipment and everything else is then I would address what we still would like for us to begin the discussion with the various University and even the state about contributing towards fire service. I'm at a post to career posted an article over the weekend that Clemson University contracts with Greenville County. So there's a template there. So I think we need to have this discussion how we put that into play. And then we're going to put it into a square foot adverse population. Is that in the service agreement with Clemson? Mr. Mary, is that are we looking beyond the one port side of million dollars for gear? We're looking at other alternatives. Under the hub of gear and making sure our backup equipment and things like that, we've got enough that we're going to be able to manage that. We're going to be able to manage that or whatever. I think one thing as much as we all want to support a fire plan which is very important at the same time we can't not have the safety in there. We've got to keep not only our firefighters safe but the public safe. There's a little combination as we embark into this. We've got a lot of projects related to in the general fund especially in the fall with the budget amendments. Pretty happy in capital projects for the general fund that included upgrades to police and fire facilities. We can bring those back as well. Moving on with some other general fund highlights. Of course we're going to have a presentation of the initiative maintaining our entrance ways and third fairs in the city. Parts of the creation reflects continuation of programs along with increased programming for senior activities, staff training and replacement at site burners and bleachers. There's been quite an investment in the past . Other areas to point out would be human resources budget. They're focusing on recruitment and retention. Employee engagement and also broadening our training city. The first budget reflects there's an election this fall so she has decided to include that in her budget. Information technology increased. The second budget reflects our city's Microsoft agreement before our enterprise license and that would be for the entire city. Is that going to include what we've been talking about looking into which is for better engagement not only with our constituents but how we work together. We looked at it and forgot the name of it. We looked at it and forgot the name of it. We looked at it and forgot the name of it. We looked at it and forgot the name of it. We looked at it and forgot the name of it. This is a big city course. Home services doesn't reflect a change in the year's budget because their budget is partly supported with our brand and other fund services. They're the city managers that propose retention and treatment strategy. She will be speaking to that momentary. We will get to that point before we wrap up. Can you go back to the homeless area? How much are we currently putting towards homeless services? The ANLOT raising at this point is running about $1.8 million in the housing budget. That's a good combination. We always celebrate. Can I see a breakdown of where that money goes? Thanks. I was going to mention too. Just put it on the table because I promised I would. I promised her that I would for a while. I get that bringing up elections for you all. Many jurisdictions and Erika, the reason why it makes sense to talk about during budget is because of the cost of elections. Right now you all function with the majority who wins. Many jurisdictions handle elections based off of plurality. I don't like to get into that, but I throw it on the table for you all because when do you put that out there? There's always going to be an election. You can always figure out is there a method that is more advantageous or not. I don't get into that part, but just from a cost perspective when you have to do multiple run-offs and things like that with the majority vote is something to think about. We just put that out there to you all. It would take two votes for you to change to the plurality-based voting mechanism. Who around us, the far-changers does it? Are we the only entity that does it? I think everyone else probably have a discussion. We obviously have to be set for a vote. You're talking about Richland County. Yeah. Richland County. Thank you. One more slide on the general fund and then we will move on to other topics. Just pointing out our non-departmental which would include our capital lease payment for our existing capital lease as well as proposed capital lease for next year is running at 6.1 million. About one and a quarter of that is for new proposed capital lease that we have in this current budget but also some other capital lease sort of fund is retiring so it helps to watch out some of the costs. Also included in the Richland is the funds that we contribute towards various Richland County services which would include there's no change in the proposed budget at this time. That includes the funding for the Alvin S and we have some communication maybe Mr. Wilson maybe you should reach out to Mr. Brown. Yes. With all the articles about all the upgrades and all the things needed there let's make sure that we're not obligated because I don't think that we could get an unexpected bill right now with all that we're investing currently within the city services I think it'd be wise for us to make sure that we're not obligated by doing it now. We requested a meeting and a tour that A.T.M. Benjamin and Chief Holbrook were trying to organize I think because of everything you've been hearing about and I'm right there in the midst of dealing with some things we haven't been able to secure that but we'll stay on it and try to get an understanding of future billing as well. I don't think we could join on that word. You want to. We've talked about it so much I think it's important. Yes. We can make that happen. Yeah. We'll make sure the circumstances are as we when y'all can do that. Yes ma'am. We also include funding for the Fifth Circuit solicitors $215,000 that is required by states and by providers that we've found the public defender but not the solicitor but not the solicitor. That's correct. That has been a voluntary support. The debt service on our existing debt is right at $1.6 million. It's a slight reduction again as our debt service schedule calls for that. That wraps up the general fund highlights. Before we move on to the next section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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