Committee Meetings May 11, 2009

Finance, Claims, Bonds, & Interest

Sam's Club memberships were the topic of the night. Aldeman Hejna asked what others thought of the city's Sam's Club memberships. Mr. Hudzik explained that currently the police department has three memberships, the ambulance department has two, while the fire department has six. City Hall currently holds one membership. He further explained that the police buy snacks and water in bulk for awards functions and paper to make award certificates. The ambulance department buys cleaning supplies and the fire department buys things for fundraisers. In all the city has twelve memberships which cost $35 each annually.

Hejna then said we shouldn't be going to Sam's as Columbia said they supported "Think Monroe County First". She also said the city should not go to Sam's and pay Missouri tax. She also noted that all departments could maybe pool their office supply needs and order together from Quill or Corporate Express.

Few alderman showed any real interest in the issue and a motion was made by Brad to limit each department to two memberships. No one seconded the motion. As Hejna is the chair she could not second the motion and Jay was not in attendance. This left only Fred to second the motion. Fred then made his own motion that the city simply keep the same memberships as last year. No one seconded. A little conversation took place and Fred then agreed to second Brads motion and it passed, it will now be brought up next week Tuesday at the council meeting.

My view on the topic is this. If we're going to think "Monroe County First" then taking away the memberships and ordering online at Quill, Corporate Express, or Staples is pointless.

It was said the departments spend maybe $2,000 - $3,0000 altogether at Sam's. Say you save 20% (which I think would be a high rate of savings) by shopping at Sam's. At $3,000 that's $600. We had twelve memberships at $35 which is $420. So we're paying for convenience in bulk. We're not really saving any money if we're paying people millage to drive to Sam's. With fewer memberships the city will come out ahead. Well a little more ahead but we don't know the millage expenditures.

The real issue is if the city supports "Think Monroe County First" then it should buy what it can here regardless of price. In the grand scheme of things $3,000 is not much to the city, spend it in Columbia especially if its cleaning supplies, snacks, and paper. Save the out of town purchases for things we cannot buy here.

Personnel Committee
Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining and employee salaries.