04-23-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,April 23,2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. 15. LONG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT—ANNUAL REPORT—Continued Crosby suggested placing a message on the sandwich boards. Van Eyll stated they will try to do that in the near future and that they will also start looking at doing more online ads or through social media. The City Council thanked Chief Van Eyll and the members of the Long Lake Fire Department for all their hard work and dedication in protecting the community. FINANCE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT 16. FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT Finance Director Ron Olson provided the first quarter financial report to the City Council. Overall 17.9 percent of revenues have been received. The major revenue source is taxes,which will be received at the end of June and consists of 53 percent of the City's revenue stream. Revenues have remained steady over the past five years and it is expected Orono will be a little higher in revenue by the end of 2018. Olson noted that is due to some fairly sizeable fees associated with the school improvements,which currently account for 35 percent of the City's building related revenues,which is higher than what it normally is at this time of the year. Expenditures are also in good shape and are at 22.45 percent. Olson noted expenditures tend to remain fairly constant through the year with the exception of the summer when temporary employees are utilized at the golf course and parks. Law and legal services are at 30 percent and central services is at 35,which is high for that department. Olson stated he will need to look into the reason behind the increase and that central services consists of office supplies for city hall,gas,heating,insurance,and audit expenses,which are charges that are not allocated to other departments. Crosby asked if any significant equipment has been replaced. Olson indicated there has not but that the City's software fees are increasing at a rapid pace. Olson noted the City now has to pay annual licensing fees for Microsoft Windows and Adobe and that the City started having to budget for that item three to four years ago since it now amounts to$15,000 to$20,000 a year. Olson noted special services is at 36.81 percent,which are pass-through bills such as the police, engineering,and legal charges related to development. Olson stated he expects that to be at 100 percent by the end of the year. Olson reviewed the top vendors of the City. Currently Bond Trust Services Corporation is the top vendor, followed by Bolton and Menk. New investments are now paying two percent in interest,which is good news as far as earnings since interest rates have been low for a number of years. Walsh stated he would like to get monthly updates on the number of permits and the dollars associated with those. The City Council took no formal action on this item. Page 4 of 15