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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 11, 1991 <br />Fire Department capital improvements. Blesener <br />indicated that this is the position that he takes on <br />the issue of the lo% gambling funds. <br />The Mayor pointed out that the City currently does not <br />have the 10% in hand. <br />Blesener pointed out that the City has reserves it <br />could borrow from and pay back later when it has the <br />10% funds. Blesener indicated that the City does <br />maintain good reserves, but has to since the City does <br />not get its first property tax payment from the County <br />until the middle of June. Reserves are needed to pay <br />the City's bills so that it will not have to borrow <br />money, which would only increase expenses. <br />Blesener stated that he understands where the Fire <br />Department is coming from and knows most of the City's <br />fire fighters. However, the direction of the Fire <br />Department is changing, and that direction has not been <br />communicated to the Council. Blesener pointed out that <br />discussion has always been about a volunteer Fire <br />Department, and now the Department is saying that they <br />do not have volunteers any more and salaries are <br />involved. Blesener suggested that if that is the case, <br />the Council and Fire Department should sit down and <br />discuss it and try to understand the situation. The <br />Department must understand that the City is in a <br />difficult position and cannot tax any further. <br />Whatever additional monies are given to one department <br />must be taken from another. Blesener stated that if <br />the Department is looking at short-term salaries, <br />rather than long-term, the City may have to look at <br />some other things, like the funding of special <br />activities. Blesener pointed out that no one else is <br />funded for these kinds of activities. Blesener <br />suggested that while the bottom line cannot change, <br />perhaps there can be a reallocation within the budget. <br />Blesener also pointed out that the City has already <br />said that it will fund Fire Department capital <br />improvements. The other $10,000 in compensation cuts <br />can be discussed and worked out through a meeting <br />between the Council and Fire Department. <br />Hanson agreed that if the monies generated through <br />charitable gambling contributions are sufficient, <br />capital outlay purchases will not be a problem. Hanson <br />agreed that to give additional funds to the Fire <br />Department would mean cuts in other areas. Hanson <br />asked if the Fire Department had any alternatives to <br />propose. <br />Page 7 <br />