Council will talk of budget at retreat

Staff to share concerns, goals during Monday, Tuesday meeting

Among the topics to be addressed by the Yuma City Council during a retreat tomorrow and Tuesday are budget and current impacts on the city, such as personnel and pay plan issues.

It’s also an opportunity for department heads to share their needs and concerns and for the council members and city administrator to present their goals and visions.

The council will be meeting for the annual retreat at the newly renovated Arizona Western College Law Enforcement Training Academy facility at the Ray Kroc Complex located at 1280 W. Desert Sun Drive. The retreat, which is open to the public, will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Monday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

After a welcome and introductions by Mayor Doug Nicholls and City Administrator Greg Wilkinson, City Attorney Richard Files will provide an overview of the open meeting law.

Wilkinson will then provide an overview of the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget and a briefing of the current impacts on the city, which include personnel and pay plan issues.

Deputy City Attorney Rodney Short will brief the council on several legislative bills and how they may impact the city.

The officials will then discuss the current venues that allow citizens to speak, such as the citizen forum and call to the public.

Department heads will then present their critical needs and concerns for the upcoming fiscal year as well as discussion related to

the city’s priorities and the budget. The following staff members are scheduled to speak: Strategic Initiatives Director Ricky Rinehart; Financial Services Director Lisa Marlin; Public Works Director Joel Olea; City Engineer

Director Jeff Kramer; Utilities Interim Director Jeremy McCall; Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Executive Director Lowell Perry; Information Technology Chief Officer Kathleen Fernandez; Community Development Director Laurie Lineberry; Human Resources Director Monica Welch; Parks and

Recreation Director Debbie Wendt; Fire Chief Steve Irr; Police Chief John Lekan; and Administrator Greg Wilkinson on issues related to administration and the attorney’s office.

In addition, Mayor Nicholls, the councilors and city administrator will present their goals and visions for the new fiscal year.