09-09-09 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 even though there is a 3% adjustment in rates agreed to in our letter of engagement. F,ngineering expenses are projected to increase by 2.01%. Planning expenses are projected to decrease by 4.46 due to the lower projected increase in health insurance. The Director also indicated that Insurance expenditures are projected to increase by 8.45%, based on air estimate by the League of MN Cities. City Center expenditures are projected at a 3.13% decrease. Old Fire Hall expenses are projected to decrease by 14.38%. The Finance Director reviewed Police expenses which are part of the General Fund. These are projected to decrease by 1.21 % due to reduction in the planned multi-family officer position from full-time to part-time using over-time. She noted that the cost of dispatch services has remained constant over the past three years, and are projected to increase slightly. 'There was general discussion relative to the formula change related to allocation of policing costs among the contracting cities that the Sheriff had agreed to hold in abeyance through 2010 ($35,000) as an offset to added patrol time. The Director reviewed the Fire Department expenditures which are projected to increase by 10.49%. She noted that the bulk of the increase is due to an increase in the City's required contribution to the Fire Department pension plan. (Increase of $21,924 pursuant to statutory requirements.) The Director reviewed Fire Marshal expenditures projected to increase at 3.4%. There was discussion relative to the Opt Out Benefit provided to employees who to not take City provided heahh insurance as they have this coverage typically through a spouse. The Administrator pointed out that this is a long term benefit provided by the City and is commonly provided by municipalities. He noted that there are cost savings to the City in providing an Opt Out benefit rather than family health insurance coverage. Montour noted that the Fire Marshal was recently put on as a full-time employee and that previous to this, the City has two part-time Fire Marshals. Montour asked if there are any cities of similar size interested in sharing the Fire Marshal position. The City Administrator stated that he was not aware of this opportunity, but would continue to monitor the possibility. The Director noted that Protective Inspection expenditures are projected to increase by 0.79%. Emergency Services/Civil Defense expenditm•es are projected to increase by 1 ] .94% due to the method for budgeting of a County conference. Reimbursement for conference costs is allocated in General Fund revenues. Animal Control expenses are projected to increase by 9.80% due to including additional dollars for deer control. 4