The city of Española’s Finance Committee passed a series of Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget amendments at its meeting Tuesday, including the freezing of the deputy city clerk and paralegal manager positions for six months.
The Committee also voted to freeze the vacant police lieutenant position for six months. Other passed budget amendments include:
•Filling two vacant firefighter positions;
•Reducing the budget for city attorney fees from $71,000 to $29,000;
•Increasing the city’s animal shelter budget from $50,000 to $80,000;
•Adding $10,000, under contractual services, in the municipal court budget for procuring janitorial services;
•Removing $2,000 from professional services in the Finance Department;
•Removing $3,700 from promotional items in the city manager’s budget;
•Removing $5,000 from postal services and transfer those funds to the Streets Department to repair flooding issues along North Coronado Avenue;
•Increasing the electricity utility line item by $15,000.
Finance Director Joyce Sandoval will return next week to the Committee with an amended Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget to include the approved changes from Tuesday’s meeting.
Councilor Robert Seeds expressed frustration over how he perceives the city has been handling its finances.
“Nothing is consistent in this city,” Seeds said, referring to the budgeted salary schedule.
Mayor Alice Lucero said the differences in pay are based on experience and achieved certifications.
“With the police department, the pay goes along with certifications,” the mayor said. “Their pay is determined by the amount of certifications they have.”
Seeds continued about his perception of the committee mismanaging city funds.
“I think this council finally needs to get a handle on its monies,” he said. “I look back at the contractual services and, my God, we’re giving them out like candy,” referring to 10 percent raises approved by interim city manager Joe Duran.
“I’m going to use the word ‘abuse,’” Seeds said. “Money is tight.”
Seeds had attempted to motion to have all contractual services be consolidated into one line item, instead of being spread throughout each department. However, Lucero did not recognize his motion.
Lucero defended her decision by saying that policies are already in place that govern contractual services, including agreements with labor unions, and that any changes made would violate those policies and could put the city in a vulnerable position.
Councilor Dennis Salazar noted the absence of several department heads.
“With a budget meeting of this caliber, I feel it’s very crucial that department heads be here,” he said. “Some of the council members may have questions for those department heads.”
Salazar then suggested that attendance by department heads be made mandatory.
Seeds took issue with the city’s service contracts with two attorneys and questioned the expenses.
“We’re paying someone $100 an hour to basically be a secretary,” Seeds said. “That’s an eye-opener to me.”
Councilor Cecilia Lujan then explained how she feels the Committee should operate.
“Our responsibility as council members is to be policy makers,” Lujan said. “It is not our responsibility to be involved in personnel decisions.”
Councilor Peggy Martinez agreed.
“We are policy makers and that (personnel) policy needs to be looked at,” Martinez said.
Seeds said the time has come for the Committee to change the way it manages the city’s finances.
“We need to start a new way of doing business in the city,” Seeds said.