PUBLIC HEARING ON FY 2012 BUDGET, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 AT 5:30 P.M.

Meeting called to order by Council President Henson.

Present: Thomas, Perry, Henson, Palmer, Smith.

Absent: None.

Motion was made by Councilman Thomas duly seconded by Councilman Smith and unanimously passed by the Council to open the public hearing regarding the FY 2012 budget.

Those appearing to speak were: 1) Patricia Flowers – Meridian Transit System. She advised that the Transit System needed more funds from the city than they received last year. 2) Kevin Locke – President of employee council. He discussed raises and said he understood that there was a proposed 1 ½% raise in the budget. 3) John Harris. He said he was concerned with hiring practices and personal services. He said funds need to be put in for a special task force to help solve crimes. He mentioned the monthly fees paid to a lobbying firm and to someone to look at downtown, employee pay, grants and capital projects. 4) Percy Bland. He mentioned two consulting contracts and asked if they were benefitting the city. He mentioned the city hall renovations and the affect on the city’s bonding capacity. 5) James Scott. He stated he and his wife are legally blind and depend on the transit system. Council comments were as follows: 1) Bobby Smith. He stated he had a problem with employees not getting raises. He does not think there are enough fire and police personnel. He said the city needs more police officers. The fire chief said he was OK with his personnel allotment. He wants to make sure the Trent Lott agreement is out of the budget. He said he wants the Watkins agreement ended also. 2) Jesse Palmer. He stated transportation is a major concern as well as other organizations the city needs to support. He said he would like to line item transit, EMBDC and MCCSA. He said he would like to see the raises delayed and give a better one later and make sure lower paid employees get more. He said the city must have funds for raises. 3) Mary Perry. Said she would like to see the contribution amount changed. The transit system gets the same amount from Jackson as the city gives. There is only $173,000 to give entities. The city gave transit $67,000 last year. She said they need to give raises. They reduced contribution money to what it was last year to keep from getting rid of employees. 4) George Thomas. Revenues are down about $500,000. You have to look at cuts or raising taxes. The only increase is in the police for the new police station. Word has gotten out that the city has cut out things but no budget has been adopted yet. The proposed 1 ½% raises does not cover what PERS went up. The city is not talking about cutting employees right now. Some positions not filled are not funded. He said he does not want to raise property taxes. Other cities are going broke and some are passing deficit budget. Things being looked at are consultant fees, parking garage costs, fire stations, more police and more equipment. 5) Barbara Henson. She stated that Mr. Skipper is working with unknowns. They don’t know how much sales taxes and property taxes we will collect. She said if you raise property taxes then businesses won’t come here. Councilman Smith stated he would like to have a work session and have the police chief there.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Perry duly seconded by Councilman Palmer and unanimously passed by the Council to close the hearing.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam McInnis, Clerk of Council