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(DISCUSSION/ACTION Review of the Dept’s fiscal operations, with recap of expenditures, budget projections, and possible recommendations to full commission for changes in any policy, if needed. (items to include but not limited to, completed monthly expense/income spreadsheet, use of cell phones, vehicle pool status).
M. Lui passed out a document that answered the queries sent by Comm Fetico. In summary:
The monthly expense report shows some areas that are high, some lower than budgeted amounts. Example, salaries are a little high. Utilities costs are now showing up ---being billed now. Cost for dept vehicles are billed semi-annually.
Comm Stiglich asked about premium pay, which looks to be coming in over budget. Why? Lui said that the best case is projected to be $68.9K short, worst case $175K. He didn’t know why that was. It might be an accounting problem.
The Chief said staff costs in Juvenile Hall have been higher due to higher detention numbers, and “back filling” shifts for counselors in training. The Bd of Supervisors Govt Oversight Audit committee and they were satisfied with the Dept’s explanations for how operations are going.
Comm Stiglich asked about materials and supplies, also looking on the high side. Lui attributed part of that to increased numbers in the hall, to deferred maintenance to the buildings.
Lui mentioned that the higher OT comes from not having enough on-call workers to take shifts. The Chief said there are 6 now being trained (40 hrs of training).
The workers comp situation: there are 7 active cases. These are the longterm cases. There is also a reduction in WC claims.
The Chief mentioned that Sam Kinghorne was acknowledged for his work on this issue. Comm Stiglich asked the Chief to include this in his report to the full commission.
The cars: the 4x4 truck was on a lease/purchase program, where it is leased for 3 yrs and then it’s the Dept’s. Lui said one or two years ago, Administrative Services (City Hall) took over control of their cars, on paper. So, now the Dept leases from the City at approx. $2,000/vehicle/year.
On the Juvenile Hall project, there will be a need for more money. The Chief said Sup. Maxwell thought possibly to hold a hearing on this so all the facts can be revealed. He said the Controller and the Mayor’s office has reviewed this new deficit, and been able to project covering it less $300-600K.
The Chief announced that the Dept has received an offer of a grant for about $50K to do a grant proposal for organizational development for a multi-year, six figure per year grant. This will be reported out at the full commission.
On the Mayor’s budget directives: essentially they are asking for a $1.2 mil reduction in general fund expenditures for the dept.
The Chief said that he has been clear with the Bd of Supes, that this Dept needs to strengthen it’s impact and effectiveness with the clients, and the City needs to continue supporting the Dept’s efforts, through its budget. He said he didn’t want to take any actions that would demand lay-offs.
Comm Stiglich offered whatever help the Dept felt the committee/commission could offer.
The Dept will have a draft budget ready by Jan. 16, for the Finance Committee meeting on the 23rd.
Re: policy and procedures for finance, Lui said the Controller does a post audit every year, and never found any material issues in past years.
Inventory: it is not computerized. They don’t have a computer that’s on the network.
(public comment)
there were none.
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