CITY OF EUREKA SPRINGS             
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING                                  TUESDAY                                    JANUARY 31, 2012
Mayor Pate called the special meeting of the Eureka Springs City Council to order Tuesday, January 31, 2012, in the jury room on the second floor of the Western District Carroll County Courthouse.  Mayor Pate noted the purpose of the meeting:  discussion of the proposed 2012 budget.

PRESENT:  Mayor Pate, Aldermen Lany Ballance, Dean Kirkpatrick, James DeVito, Parker Raphael, Ken Pownall, Butch Berry, City Clerk/Treasurer Ann Armstrong, and City Attorney Tim Weaver.

Mayor Pate said an ordinance had been prepared and the budget was the same as the one presented December 1.  He said it was a balanced budget with a surplus.  Mayor Pate called for a vote on whether to have public comments.
Mr. DeVito moved to allow public comments.  Mr. Berry seconded.  A voice voted followed.
Motion failed 2/4/0, with Dr. Kirkpatrick, Ms. Ballance, Mr. Pownall, and Mr. Raphael voting “No”.
Mayor Pate opened the floor for discussion.  Mr. DeVito moved to give the ordinance a number and place it on its first reading.  Mr. Berry seconded.  Mr. DeVito noted that whatever the Council does, the budget must be in place first.  Mr. Berry noted the budget must be in place by the end of the day in order to continue operating and to cut checks.  Mayor Pate noted his (January 23rd) veto could be addressed at the next regular meeting.
Finance Director Lonnie Clark addressed the Council.  He recapped the total estimated income as $8,197,300 and expenses as $7,366,531.  He  noted a surplus of $830,769.  Considering the revenues as conservative, he welcomed questions.  Mr. Clark said the total payroll for 2011 was $2,735,245.75 and a 3% increase would be less than $90,000.  Actual numbers for (2011) revenues and expenditures were not available.  In response to Ms. Ballance’s question as to whether the trend with the surplus was growing or decreasing, Mr. Clark said he thought it was growing.  A roll call vote on Mr. DeVito’s motion followed.
Mr. DeVito and Mr. Berry – “Aye”.  Mr. Raphael, Mr. Pownall, Dr. Kirkpatrick, and Ms. Ballance  – “No”.
Motion failed 2/4/0.

Mr. DeVito moved to adjourn.  No second was recorded.
Motion carried 5/1/0 with Mr. Berry voting “No”.

This is the signature page for the minutes of the special meeting of the Eureka Springs City Council on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.



APPROVED:
ATTEST:
_______________________________
_____________________________                         Mayor Morris Pate
City Clerk/Treasurer Ann Armstrong  


Special Council Meeting   1/31/12              1