Finance Committee Meeting - November 14, 2025

The Finance Committee met on November 14, 2025, at 3:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers to review the 2026 operating budget, consider an amended budget ordinance, and discuss a position request. The meeting was chaired by Chair Schaefer, with members Hoffman, Mayor Regal, and others present. Public comment was not offered. The committee recommended the amended budget to city council and approved an advanced job posting for a procurement administrator.

Review of 2026 Operating Budget – Municipal Clerk of Court

• Cindy Dinovo, Municipal Clerk of Court, presented her budget, noting minimal changes. The only significant increase was postage, from $45 to $50 (with a projected need of $70,000 for 2026). She is transferring funds from operating to postage for the remainder of the year. A part-time position was added. The court completed a wage study covering all 16 employees (15 full-time, one part-time). Dinovo noted she came in under budget due to being understaffed, but expects to fill positions soon, including a bilingual candidate to reduce translation fees.

Review of 2026 Operating Budget – Parks and Recreation

• Ted Miller, Parks and Recreation Director, presented a detailed overview. Facility maintenance now covers 13 buildings (272,000 sq ft), with work orders up. Fire stations will be fully included in 2026. Routine capital items (painting, carpeting) are moved into the operating budget. Emergency repairs occurred in 2025 (HVAC, elevator).
• Parks and recreation statistics: Delaware has 15 HOA parks, resulting in a favorable residents-per-park ratio (national average comparison). Acres of parkland are slightly low; staffing is low (full-time equivalents per 10,000 residents). Operating expenditures per capita are low, and cost recovery is low. Plans to improve revenue include grants, sponsorships, and programming fees. Summer camps, basketball, learn-to-swim, and tennis are maxed out, often turning people away.
• 2025 completed projects: Ravines Park loop trail, gravel trails, Oak Grove Cemetery scattering garden (cost $200 for scattering, includes administrative fee). Park maintenance completed 49 miles of rough-cut mowing and 17 miles of finished-cut mowing.
• 2026 projects: Kingsbury Park athletic fields and park maintenance facility; Unity Park splash pad (targeting Memorial Day 2026); disc golf course (first nine holes planned); boulder park obstacle course (re-bid to reduce cost); and a veterans monument at Oak Grove Cemetery (unmarked soldiers project, funded by Veterans Service Office, design by Alan Cockle).
• Cost savings and efficiencies: In-house sign production reduced cost from thousands to hundreds; in-house kiosks built for $550 (vs. $5,000); gravel trail construction cost $184.42 per linear foot (contract), but in-house trails are much cheaper using recycled materials; prairie installations reduce mowing; cooperative purchasing saved money on Musco lighting and other items. Employee retention improved from 47% to 76%.
• Personnel changes: Three park tech reclassifications for applicator's licenses; request for one new park tech; request for 2,000 seasonal hours to add an extra week of day camp.

Amended Budget Ordinance

• Kent (finance) presented the amended budget, noting only five changes: (1) a transfer from general admin to IT rotary fund due to device count miscount; (2) municipal court budget dropped by $46,000; (3) court probation services increased by $50,000 for furniture; (4) capital improvement fund increased by $80,000 for West End grading (cemetery expansion); (5) point project professional services increased by $100,000 (correcting a typo – $80,000 was entered instead of $180,000).
• The committee voted to recommend the amended budget to city council. Motion by Hoffman, second by Mayor Regal, roll call all yes.

Review of Position Request – Procurement Administrator

• Alicia (finance) requested authorization to post a procurement administrator position to address separation of duties after assuming the finance director role. The position would act as city purchasing agent, providing a check on wire transfers and contract execution. This is recommended by auditors. The job would be posted immediately but hiring contingent on city council approval. Motion to support by Hoffman, second by Mayor Regal, roll call all yes.

Key Outcomes

• The committee recommended the amended 2026 operating budget to city council (unanimous vote).
• The committee approved an advanced job posting for a procurement administrator to segregate duties (unanimous vote).
• The meeting adjourned at 3:42 PM.