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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />February 13, 1991 <br />being looked at for potential cost cutting measures. <br />Hanson pointed out that the Fire Department is <br />considering the purchase of an additional fire truck <br />within the next couple of years, and about funding of <br />this purchase. <br />The City Administrator reported that it was his <br />understanding from discussions with the Fire Chief that <br />the Fire Department will have the funding in place <br />before the fire truck is ordered, and that due to the <br />City's financial situation, funding would not come from <br />the City's budget. <br />DeBace reported that the Fire Department will attempt <br />to finance the purchase from charitable gambling <br />proceeds, but he was not sure if some City assistance <br />would be necessary. <br />Blesener stated that the funding of a future fire truck <br />was part of the negotiations connected with the Fire <br />Relief Pension Fund. <br />Scalze questioned why the discretionary levy should not <br />be reduced by the $4,000 as suggested if the reduction <br />will not effect benefit levels. <br />DeBace replied that the Relief Association would like <br />to keep pension benefits as fully funded as possible. <br />DeBace pointed out that pension benefits are very <br />important in order to keep people interested in fire <br />service. <br />It was noted that when pension benefits are 100% funded <br />the Fire Relief Association requests increased <br />benefits. <br />DeBace pointed out that pension benefits must be kept <br />competitive with other cities or the City will not be <br />able to keep its firemen. Also, without charitable <br />gambling proceeds, the City will not qet the new fire <br />truck it needs. <br />The City Administrator suggested that consideration of <br />reducinq the Fire Relief Association discretionary levy <br />be postponed at this time pending further information <br />as well as negotiation. The Administrator agreed that <br />the discretionary levy was negotiated with the Relief <br />Association since at one time benefit levels were <br />behind what other cities were providing. However, the <br />Administrator suggested that it may be possible to plan <br />and program in future benefit increases while still <br />Page 9 <br />