September 14, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Publication Date: September 14, 2021

Author(s)

Deidre Morgenstern, PICA

Summary

The PICA Board convened on September 14, 2021, to review key financial updates, including July and August tax revenue reports and the City’s obligations reports. Executive Director Harvey Rice provided updates on PICA’s outreach efforts, including a recent radio interview on tax collection trends. The Board discussed the City’s rising overtime costs, noting that Police, Fire, and Streets Departments accounted for the majority of a $4 million increase from the previous year. Additionally, the Board reviewed the City’s inquiry into federal reimbursement for flood damage from Hurricane Ida. Mr. Rice informed the Board that PICA’s auditors had completed their FY2021 audit fieldwork ahead of schedule, and that invitations for the PICA fall conference on the American Rescue Plan would be sent within a week. Discussions concluded with concerns about real estate tax collection backlogs and the potential need for an updated Five-Year Plan based on new labor agreements.