09-09-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 sealcoating expenses as well as striping expenses associated with the restriping of crosswalks when streets are sealcoated. Keis pointed out that at the Council workshop meeting held earlier this evening, there was discussion about possible staff reductions in the parks & Recreation Department. Keis felt that with a projected net levy increase of over 6% for 2016, such a reduction must be considered. Keis indicated that his goal would be for no more than a 3% net levy increase, and hopefully an increase lower than that. Keis asked if there would be salary savings realized given the City Clerk's retirement. The Administrator indicated that for budgeting purposes the current salary has been left in the proposed 2016 Budget, but as the hiring process moves forward, it may be possible to realize a savings. Montour noted that administration salary costs are up $19,000 due to potential staff changes. The Administrator replied that that was correct. The Council asked for an explanation of the impact that fiscal disparities is having on the gross and net levy increases noting that the gross levy is projected to be lower than the net levy when the opposite is usually true. The Director pointed out that the City is receiving $673 less in fiscal disparities than last year which accounts for the impact that pushes the net levy increase over the gross levy increase. The City Administrator then provided an explanation of fiscal disparities which is a metro -wide property wealth sharing pool for commercial and industrial properties. The Council again reviewed the table in the budget memo which shows the dollar amounts that will need to be cut to reduce the levy increase. Keis stated that while he could support a preliminary levy increase of about 4%, he would like the final levy increase no greater than 3% and ideally less. Montour agreed. The consensus of the Council was that staff should identify additional revenue increases and/or expense reductions to achieve no more than a 4% levy increase for the preliminary budget with the goal being a final levy increase of 3% of less. It was noted that the 2016 Preliminary Budget actions will be considered at the September 23, 2015 Council meeting. CABLE TV The City Administrator presented a quote in the amount of $3,935 from UPGRADES Alpha Video for installation of a desktop microphone mute option at the Council table. The Administrator reported that this feature was not included in the system upgrade, and felt it was an important one to have. The Administrator indicated that the Cable TV Producer is recommending the purchase of this particular equipment to correlate with the new equipment being installed. 8