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01/12/2021 - MinutesRole of the Finance Committee The finance committee provides oversight of city budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting. The committee recommends long-range financial goals along with funding strategies for the operating and capital budgets. Human resource issues requiring policy direction are brought before the committee. The committee serves as the advisory forum for transportation and street maintenance funding, and funding relating to the transportation benefit district. City of Port Orchard Council Finance Committee A meeting of the Council Finance Committee was held remotely with all participants using Zoom on January 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. PRESENT: Council members John Clauson, Beck Ashby, Shawn Cucciardi Mayor Rob Putaansuu, Director of Finance Noah Crocker, Director of DCD Nick Bond, Debbie Lund HR Coordinator, Mark Dorsey PW Director, Jacki Brown PW Operating Manger, Noosha Tashakor, Tarragon. The meeting was audio recorded. Finance Report The Finance Director discussed the Sales Tax and REET Revenue report The sales tax revenue collected December 2020 is at 13.33% over its 2020 budget and 7.84% over the 2019 actual sales tax revenue collected. Real Estate Excise Tax collected thru December 2020 is at $1,082,876. This represents approximately 152% of the biennial budget and approximately 35% of what was budgeted for collections for 2020. The committee reviewed a fund balances and had no questions or concerns. The Finance Committee had no questions. The Finance Department will continue to closely monitor and provide monthly updates. Improving Customer Service with IT The Finance Director reported on the customer service improvements the Finance and IT department have been making. External-EasyPay: Will allow customer to pay for fee’s and services on via the web versus or the phone or by mail. External-Utilities: Utility department will be launching utility app for customers to be able to pay using their smart devices via the app. Internal-AP: The committee discussed the process for signing AP check register in this new COVID environment. The committee discuss pursuing a more efficient electronic method for signing. The Finance Dept will pursue an streamlined electronic method for signing this document. This document is a city council preference and is not a legal requirement. The committee would like to continue to keep this voucher register policy in place for now. Council Salary Adjustments Debbie Lund reviewed the current council salary’s as well as comparable data to the discussion. The committee did not feel the council salary needed to be adjusted and would share with the council. Role of the Finance Committee The finance committee provides oversight of city budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting. The committee recommends long-range financial goals along with funding strategies for the operating and capital budgets. Human resource issues requiring policy direction are brought before the committee. The committee serves as the advisory forum for transportation and street maintenance funding, and funding relating to the transportation benefit district. Sewer & Water Credit The Mayor opened up by discussing the city’s current credit structure doesn’t provide a meaningful incentive. The staff have evaluated and wanted to discuss a different credit model which would provide for a credit for the excess capacity of a facility. The Finance Director walked the Finance Committee through the proposed credit model. The committee discussed and talked about how the complexity credits and how they would be recorded and provided too. Community Center-Real Estate Acquisition The Mayor discussed a letter of intent to purchase real estate for the community center. The Finance Committee discussed the letter and the community center as well as the need to have an appraisal. Transportation Grant Update The Mayor provided an update on transportation grants the City did not receive. The grant the city did receive was $1.5 million (construction) for a $2.8 million project for TIP 2.04. A budget Amendment and adjustment will be needed to fund this project. Good of the Order The Mayor discussed cost request from the DEM. The meeting adjourned at 6:18 pm.