Page 67 - Saginaw FY20 Annual Budget

CITY OF SAGINAW
GENERAL FUND OVERVIEW OF EXPENDITURES
2019-2020

The Department Heads and Supervisors were asked to budget for what is necessary to maintain
the current level of service and to make recommendations for what is needed to achieve the
City’s goals within the framework of the strategies developed through the City’s long range
planning initiative.

After negotiating with our current medical providers, the City will remain with United Healthcare
for medical and dental coverage. The budgeted increase for health insurance is 22%. There
are three plan options to allow employees to choose one that best meets their needs and
provides different levels of financial participation. Dental coverage will remain the same as we
are in year two of a contract for dental coverage.

This budget includes a full year of funding the increase in the Texas Municipal Retirement
System contribution rate (from 6% to 7%) that began January 1, 2019. The 7% contribution rate
is consistent with surrounding and similar sized municipalities. In order to retain and attract
qualified employees, our compensation and benefit package must remain competitive. A 3%
salary adjustment is included for all pay ranges at an estimated cost of $299,700 to the General
Fund.

The following is an overview of the major changes (FY18/19 Revised to FY19/20 Adopted) by
department.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE:
This department's budget decreased from $1,864,160 to $1,863,145 from last year’s revised
budget. The increase in salaries and related benefits are partially offset by the decrease in election
and legal advertising expenses; there was a charter election in FY18/19. There is also a decrease
in engineering fees due to the Green Ribbon Grant match that was required in FY18/19.

MUNICIPAL COURT:
This department's budget decreased by 4% due to the cost to upgrade court software in FY18/19
that is not necessary in FY19/20.

FIRE:
This department's budget increased 6% from $3,822,585 to $4,064,850. The increase is due an
additional firefighter (9 months) and Emergency Management Coordinator (6 months). The cost
to transition from the Tarrant County Fire Alarm Center to the City of Fort Worth for dispatch
communications is added ($69,000) in FY19/20. One-time items include: 5 cardiac
monitors/defibrillators ($150,000), a traffic pre-emption device ($7,000) at Saginaw Boulevard and
Palomino Drive, replacement of the outdoor warning signal ($27,000) at Palomino, and
replacement of Class A uniforms ($10,000).

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