08/10/2021 Minutes StudyCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
August 10, 2021
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
August 10, 2021. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on August
4, 2021.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 8:11 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Mike Paulick, Justin Scott, Michelle Fitzke, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley,
Vaughn Minton, Bethany Guzinski, Maggie Mendoza, Mitch Nickerson, and Chuck Haase. The
following City Officials were present: City Administrator Jerry Janulewicz, City Clerk RaNae
Edwards, Finance Director Patrick Brown, Interim City Attorney Stacy Nonhof and Public
Works Director John Collins.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Presentation concerning the Citv's Bi-Lingual Employee Pay Policies and Use of Emplo�
who Receive Bi-Lin ual Pa� Human Resources Director Aaron Schmid reviewed the statistics
from the US Census Bureau and the City's Personnel Rules and Regulations pertaining to
bilingual pay with included nearly all of the City's collective bargaining agreements. Testing was
done verbally and written. There were a total of 25 employees that were tested.
Regional Planning Administrative Assistant Norma Henandez commented on her duties as a
translator. Discussion was held regarding hiring bi-lingual employees.
2021/2022 Budget Discussion. Finance Director Patrick Brown stated General Fund
appropriations less transfers for FY 2022 increased $2,553,691 or 6/5% mostly due to a 27tn
period payroll which will happen in 2022. The extra pay period added $1.1 million to personnel
services. Personnel services included a Grant Administrator and an interpreter/translator.
Operating expense increased by 4.8% or $327,265.
During the current year we received American Rescue Plan funds of $4,546,940 which were
deposited into the General Fund. In FY2022 budget, we are transferring those funds to the
Wastewater Enterprise Fund for the possible Airport Sewer Project.
The FY 2022 budget showed a loan to Solid Waste in order to do the Transfer Station upgrade.
The loan would be for $4.5 million at 3% interest for 20 years. This saves financing costs to
Solid Waste and increases the interest revenue for the General Fund.
General Fund Revenues for FY 2022 included a three percent increase projection for Property
Taxes. This was leaving the mill levy at 0.3445 as it was today. Sales tax projection was based
off of current receipts and an average of the last two years plus two percent. FY 2021 budget
Sales Tax projection for the General Fund was $11,125,000 which had been the lowest
Page 2, City Council Study Session, August 10, 2021
projection in several years due to COVID-19. FY 2022 Sales Tax projection for the General
Fund was $13.4 million
Discussion was held regarding the property tax request and property tax relief. Valuations would
be certified by the County Assessor on August 20, 2021. Comments were made concerning
keeping the mill levy the same as last year.
Mr. Brown gave a heads up on LB 644 which would take effect next year. The City could
capture the growth plus 2% but this would have to go to a joint meeting with the County.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
�•, , . � i �—
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
� I