09-11-2019 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 The Finance Director reviewed the main points that are affecting the budget and proposed accounting changes. She explained that the budget for the Public Works work crew is $12,500 and she would like to move this into the General Fund since it is in reality an operational expense. Mayor Keis noted that the money to pay for this has always been in the budget, but this change in where it was put in the budget would now cause it to affect the levy. She reviewed the proposed changes to the 10% fund and explained the state law rules for what this money can be spent on. She added that the median estimated market value for homes in Little Canada increased from $255,800 to $277,800 this year. The City Administrator reviewed how the strategic plan is being incorporated into the 2020 budget. He noted that some of the items in the strategic plan have financial impacts, and some other items would be staff time only. The Finance Director reviewed the personnel services, commodities and contractual services budgets and explained the changes. She noted there will be a reorganization of the community development department and a part-time code enforcement/rental housing inspector position added, which is a $40,000 increase, and a public works maintenance/apprentice full-time position cost of $70,800. She reviewed the specific increases in the contractual services; police and fire services, public works crew, dispatch 911 services, striping & pavement markings and crack filling, travel & training, memberships with Metro Cities and a Chamber of Commerce, a new fund for community partnerships, and a $1,120 increase for Northeast Youth & Family Services. The City Administrator reviewed the General Fund revenues, and other noted items such as the city newsletter, an emergency fund, a new contingency fund, and the internal service fund. The Workshop suspended at 7:27 p.m. until after regular Council meeting. The Workshop meeting resumed at 7:56 p.m. The City Administrator gave another option to use for the 10% fund. Montour stated that this money could go away just as easily as Local Government Aid, so do we want to use that money for items that we have to fund. There was Council consensus to move the funds for Northeast Youth & Family Services to the 10% funds. The City Administrator explained that the election budget is increasing for 2020 since it is an election year. He stated that staff would like to consider contracting with Ramsey County in the future to administer the elections. He reported that the County has quoted a cost of $62,700 for the two-year contract cycle of 2019- 2020. There was Council consensus to continue having city staff run the election in 2020 with additional dollars budgeted for additional assistance from election 2