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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />OCTOBER 14, 2015 <br />that Little Canada offers recreational level sports while many other cities <br />have associations running sports programs. <br />Horwath asked if the dollar amount that the City needs to cut from the <br />Budget has been determined. Keis pointed out that various options have <br />been outlined by City staff. <br />Montour noted that the City cannot cut from police and fire. He noted that <br />the City has always run lean and major cuts will involve staffing. <br />Montour pointed out that the City has been restructuring its staffing <br />positions. He noted that the parks maintenance function has been moved <br />to Public Works. Therefore, in theory, 50% of the Park & Recreation <br />Director's duties have been eliminated. Montour pointed out that the <br />preliminary budget is at a 6.75% gross levy increase for 2016, and the goal <br />is to reduce that amount. Montour indicated that he would have to be able <br />to justify the retaining a full-time Parks & Recreation Director position at <br />the same salary level with less responsibility. <br />McGraw noted that duties have been shifting around and the Council has <br />not determined what the final picture is at this point. He agreed that level <br />of service has to be considered and not just in the Parks & Recreation <br />Department. McGraw noted that one possibility is that the City <br />Administrator could take over a portion of the Director's duties, if <br />necessary. McGraw stated that if responsibilities are taken away from a <br />position, there is the need to look at that position and determine whether or <br />not it should remain full-time. McGraw pointed out the options that the <br />City Administrator has presented. He also noted that this is the first time <br />since 1992 or 1994 that the City has looked at restructuring how it delivers <br />services. McGraw stated that, for him, this is something that should be <br />evaluated for the taxpayers a lot more often than every 20 years or so. <br />McGraw also noted that this is a difficult process to undertake in a small <br />town. It has nothing to do with the current Parks & Recreation Director, <br />but with how the City delivers its services. McGraw pointed out that there <br />are things, like health insurance, that cannot be cut. He pointed out that <br />when companies lay employees off, there is a cost savings. McGraw <br />asked for any other ideas where the City could cut that would not impact <br />services. <br />The City Administrator noted that in reviewing the preliminary budget and <br />staffing levels, there was also discussion about current program delivery. <br />The Administrator pointed out that the Director indicated at a workshop <br />meeting that current program delivery could be done with reduction of Y2 a <br />full-time position. The Administrator pointed out that given the Program <br />Assistants are the primary service deliverers, it seemed prudent that the <br />reduction should come from a reduction in the Director position. The <br />6 <br />