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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />SEPTEFffiER 9, 1996 <br />Fahey pointed out that if the Council feels the full- <br />time Parks & Recreation Assistant should be added, then <br />the net levy increase should be 5.78%. Fahey indicated <br />he was uncomfortable with this amount. Fahey felt the <br />preliminary net levy increase should be set at 3.5% <br />with the Council's position that it will reduce the <br />amount further at future budget workshops. Fahey <br />suggested the City should consider a flat percentage <br />increase of fees and licenses each year, rather than <br />reviewing fees every five to ten years to see if they <br />are in line with what other cities are charging. <br />Scalze did not feel it was difficult to periodically <br />review fees and compare them with other cities. <br />Morelan asked if there were any ideas this evening for <br />reducing the preliminary levy. <br />Fahey suqqested that $3,200 could be cut from <br />attorney~s fees in order to achieve the 3.5%. <br />Scalze indicated she would like to see the day camp <br />program more self-supporting. <br />Morelan pointed out that a lot of dollars are donated <br />to the day camp proqram. Those organizations making <br />these donations look to see what the City is <br />contributing to the program. <br />The Administrator felt the net levy increase could <br />easily be reduced to 3.5% and probably 3% or lower. <br />Scalze indicated she supported the preliminary net levy <br />at 3.5% with the goal of reducing that amount further <br />at future workshops. <br />The Council discussed the possibility of reductions in <br />the Sheriff's budget. The Administrator pointed out <br />that this budget has been reviewed and approved by the <br />contracting cities~ group. Budget increases over the <br />past few years are attributed to additional staff as <br />well as the contracting cities picking up a fairer <br />share of their costs. <br />Scalze pointed out that the Community Survey showed <br />citizens are willing to spend extra dollars in crime <br />prevention. <br />Morelan felt the City Administrator would have brought <br />any problem areas in the Sheriff's budget to the <br />Council's attention. Morelan also indicated that based <br />9 <br />