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Police & Fire Commission
September 3, 2008, 4:32 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioners Meyer, Nuck, Schleihs and Taylor
Commissioner Rice, excused
Also Present: Police Chief Morris, Fire Chief Zinda, Deputy Chief Kujawa, Deputy Chief Dowling, Captain Ruder, Mayor Halverson, Lt. Ron Carlson, Lt. Ed Eggleston, Lt. Brian Kudronowicz, Jodi Baganz, Lorna Whalen, Daniel Kontos, Aimee Kontos, John Schlice, Scott Rifleman, Louis Molepske, Victor Kedrowski, J.B. Moody
Index of these minutes:
2. People to be heard and announcements
3. Discussion, with possible
action, 2009 budget
4. Adjournment
2. People to be heard and announcement
None.
3. Discussion, with possible
action, 2009 budget
Mayor Halverson stated the financial situation the
city is facing regarding the 2009 budget is possibly one of the gravest the city has faced in its history. The
city was considering acting on portions of the VK study, but since delving deeper into the 2009 budget the Mayor
and Comptroller realize that adding staff as suggested will not be financially possible.
John Schlice stated that the city is under two cost control programs. The first is the Expenditure Restraint Program
(ERP). ERP deals strictly with operational costs and does not take into account any accrued revenue. The second
program is the bottom line levee control program. Right now the state placed this number at 2% of the previous
year's levee, or new growth, whichever is higher. John stated financial cuts will have to be made and he is hopeful
the Police and Fire Commission can help determine where those cuts could possibly occur.
The Mayor stated the police and fire departments cannot continue to do business the way we have in the past and
stressed we have to change and modify the way in which public service is delivered. The Mayor's vision, and in
his opinion the vision which seems to make the most sense, is to consolidate into the department of public safety.
It's the Comptroller's perspective and the Mayor's perspective that the commission must give direction on how to
proceed to help streamline the 2009 operational budget of the police and fire departments.
Commission members discussed at length the city's budget problems and the potential impact on police, fire and
paramedic services. Also discussed, the budget cuts impact on the commission's directive to study the concept of
a public safety department, especially the shortened timeframe for the commission to make decisions regarding potential
changes to the police and fire departments management structure. The city needs to finalize the 2009 budget in
October. In July the commission was told a decision on the public safety concept was not needed until February
or March of 2009.
President Schleihs directed Chief Jeff Morris, Deputy Chief James Dowling, Captain Kevin Ruder, Chief John Zinda
and Deputy Chief Tracey Kujawa to review the charge from the July 15, 2008 meeting, and formulate recommendations
or options for a management structure under a Public Safety Department. President Schleihs specifically referenced
the two page charge which included a review of records management, staffing, operations and other bulleted issues.
A second document from the July 15, 2008 commission meeting was referenced titled, "Issues to Study (Draft)"
for the management team to review and consider in their recommendations. The management committee's recommendations
will be reported to the commission at the regularly scheduled September 9, 2008 meeting.
4. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
The meeting minutes
reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City
of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under
s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables,
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