7/30/2024 Minutes OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (BUDGET)
July 30, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Budget) 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 July 30, 2024. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
July 24, 2024. Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The following
City Council members were present: Chuck Haase, Jack Sheard, Mike Paulick, Michelle Fitzke,
Mitchell Nickerson, Doug Lanfear and Jason Conley. Maggie Mendoza, Bethany Guzinski and
Mark Stelk were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator
McAloon, City Clerk Jill Granere, Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director Patrick Brown,
Finance Director Matthew Gleason, City Attorney Kari Fisk.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
4.a) FY2025 Library Budget Presentation
Library Director Celine Swan reported that the personnel expenses would increase 5.81%, the
library would like to add 2 FTE's. That would cost $92,874 (wages only) and add 80 hours for 5
part-time Library Assistants. The addition of the 2 FTE's would affect the Social Fabric of the
Community and the suggested hours would increase hours from 56 to 60 hours per week. Swan
stated the library was busier with more checkouts, programs and foot traffic. Operating expenses
would increase by 2% ($11,006) due to inflation such as books, online material, databases,
supplies, postage and technological needs. Capital Projects would be Autolend Library Kiosk in
an amount of$65,000. The kiosk would be able to offer materials to patrons that might not make
it to the library.
Discussion was held on volunteers and they were looking at the Foundation to help with new
FTE's.
4.b) FY2025 Fire & Ambulance Budget Presentation
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt reported the following Fire Department personnel services would
increase — Ambulance — 51.91% and a reduction in of Fire 6.27%. This would be moving 6
FTE's from Fire to Ambulance to staff a third ambulance. A request of 1 FTE for Fire Captain
who would be assigned to training. Operating expenses would increase - Ambulance — 7.55%
for paramedic training in the amount of$12,370 and Fire — 4.67% for division Chief testing in
the amount of$22,000.
Capital Projects for a total of$5,393,271 for Fire Station#3. Capital Equipment of$2,340,000 to
replace a ladder truck; $409,000 for an ambulance; $300,000 for bunker gear/PPE (phase 2 of 2);
$125,000 for exercise equipment (AFG award of$85,131.81); $60,000 for Integrated Software;
$52,000 for 2 1/2 inch hose and nozzles (phase 2 of 2); $40,000 for Portable Radios; $40,000 to
replace 4 overhead doors; $26,000 for Mobile Repeater (carryover);and $20,000 for Lucas
Device ($6,000 grant).
4.c) FY2025 Police Department Budget Presentation
Page 2 of 2,City Council Study Session,July 30,2024
Police Chief Kevin Denney reported personnel services would be adding one Lieutenant
position, one Sergeant position and re-classifying two Captains to two Division Chiefs with the
anticipated start date of March of 2025. Operating expenses would increase 26.9% ($502,566)
due to increase in Humane Society contract, LEC revolving maintenance fund, Professional
Services and Travel & Training for new hire employment requirements and mandated training,
an in increase of dues and subscription for an upgrade in Cellbrite Premium, increase for
abatement issues, increase for day to day operations and the ability to maintain ammo budget due
to donations by Hornady Manufacturing.
Capital projects included: additional building for storage of specialty equipment, dedicated
training area, and a Tactical Response Team briefing area, safety gates and fencing at the LEC
and Police Auto Impound and improvements to existing office space at the impound.
Capital Equipment in the amount of$1,135,979 (grant goal to reduce out of pocket to $963,599)
which included 8 new patrol units to fleet, weapons (replacement of rifles and pistols), ballistics
(replacement of heavy vests for TRT and handheld shields), and additional equipment including
breaching tools, radios, radar units, automated license plate readers.
4.d) FY2025 Emergency Management Budget Presentation
Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund reported personnel services would increase by
7% for all funds with no new FTE's. Operating expenses would increase by 5% from the
increase in City IT services (8.5%) and new Building Custodial services. Mentioned were
Capital Equipment for P25 Radio's ($3 Million, grant funds can pay up to 75% of the project),
Outdoor Sirens (2) in the amount of $35,000, Radio Repeater in the amount of $8,000, 911
Monitors in the amount of $10,000, EOC Computers in the amount of $10,000, and Audio
Recorder in the amount of$40,000.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
9free /26-raec
Jill Granere
City Clerk