10-28-98 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 28,1998 for buying down the General Fund levy. A final decision on these items could add rnore money to this fund. Morelan pointed out that a portion of the $143,000 from the 10% Fund is salaries, and asked if a credit was shown in the General Fund for that amount. The Administrator replied that he will be showing a$55,000 transfer in the General Fund exclusive of balancing the budget. Because we are not reducing other revenues as a result, this will generate a surplus in the General Fund which in turn would be transferred to the General Capital Improvement Fund (assaming we do not use this money to buy down the 19991evy). Morelan indicated that he did not want the budget to become dependent on the $55,000 coming from the 10%a Fund. The City Administrator indicated that the City would not become dependent on a transfer from the 10% Fund that ultimately ends up in the General Capital Improvement Fund. The Administrator began a review of the expenditure portion of the General Capital Improvement Budget. The first area reviewed was Accounting/Administration with the Administrator highlighting expenses anticipated during 1999 for purchase of a new copy machine, computer hardware/software upgrades, City Center building and grounds improvements, and holiday banners. The Adminish•ator noted that the purchase of the copy machine would be delayed if possible. The Council discussed the proposed $1,200 expenditure for holiday banners. Given that two members supported this expenditure and two did not, the consensus was to delay a decision until the full Council was present. The Administrator noted the $104,680 in storm clean-up costs incurred in 1998, and indicated that FEMA and the State have reimbursed the majority of these costs. The next area reviewed addressed the Fire Department. The Adminisri•ator noted the $115,000 budgeted toward the purchase of a new fire rescue truck. He also noted that an additional $50,000 is budgeted in the 10% Fund and $50,000 from the Fire Department budget through their own charitable gambling proceeds. Scalze asked for a copy of the Fire Department equipment replacement schedule. She expressed concern about the spacing of equipment purchases indicating that she would like to see these purchases spaced in such a way as to minimize the future impact on taxpayers. The Fire Chief indicated that in 1990 the Fire Depar[ment developed a 24- year equipment replacement plan that was submitted Co the CiCy. As part of the development of that plan and in purchasing new equipment, the