09-23-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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604 Ltt1el;da 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117-1600 (651) 766-4029 / FAX: (651) 766-4048 www.ci.little-canada.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Keis and Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator Sharon Provos, Finance Director DATE: September 18, 2015 MAYOR John Keis COUNCIL Rick Montour Michael McGraw Tom Fischer Christian Torkelson ADMINISTRATOR Joel R. Hanson RE: Levy Reduction Options Based upon the discussion at our last Council meeting, staff has prepared a possible list of revenue increases or expense reductions that could be used to lower the preliminary levy amount. Some of these items will warrant additional discussion before enacting, but the listing will give you an idea of possibilities. The items identified to date are as follows: 1. Establish a fund transfer from Recycling/Disposal Fund (#203) of $15,000 to offset administrative expenses paid for in the General Fund. This amount is being generated by our oversight of the recycling program and is sustainable going forward. 2. Increase Park Shelter rental fees. We currently charge $37 for a small shelter and $115 for the main Spooner Shelter. In looking at other city's fees, an increase seems supportable. We may also want to add a resident/non-resident component. Based on a resident fee of $179 and a non-resident fee of $200 for the main shelter and $50/$90 for smaller shelters, our recent utilization would generate about a $5,000 increase in fees. Assuming that could result in less rentals, staff would assume a $2,500 increase in fees would be possible. Non-residents make up most of the rentals at a ratio of about 3 to 1. 3. Provide an additional $10,000 transfer from the Cable TV Fund (#202) to the General Fund to offset costs such as insurance, utilities, payroll processing, work comp, etc. Franchise fees currently generate about $130,000 in revenue and we contribute about $30,000 of that amount back to North Suburban Cable Commission for franchise oversight and community access. 4. Reduce budget associated with hiring of new City Clerk by $10,000 associated with a lower position on the salary scale. (Once a hiring decision is made, this number can become more precise.