09-26-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION September 6, 2016 DRAFT 6 those exist. Mayor Reinert said this is about communication and getting more 223 information all around. 224 225 5. 2017 Budget and Levy Discussion – Mayor Reinert said he was left with the 226 impression at the last discussion that there was money yet to be found but then the levy 227 percentage jumped. He wasn’t actually aware that it was just $130,000 found rather than 228 the $408,000 mentioned. The council isn’t as far down the road as originally thought. 229 The gap to maintain a flat tax rate capacity is $76,041– to remain at last year’s rate. To 230 go to 45.5? Ms. Cotton replied $. 231 232 Administrator Karlson distributed an ordinance that would increase the stipend for 233 advisory boards as requested by the council and that would also have a budget impact. 234 235 Council Member Rafferty noted that some of the numbers given out at the last meeting 236 don’t seem to jibe. The Human Resources consultant line item was further explained. 237 He also asked about consultant services that appear to be going up by $60,000 and Mr. 238 Karlson said it relates to Metro INET services and it is based on technology services 239 growing and needed. Ms. Cotton noted that the budget was underfunded this year and 240 noted increases related to license fees for Springbrook, utility billing, and public safety 241 security cameras. Also the Metro INET organization is adding new positions. 242 243 Council Member Rafferty asked questions about health care cost budgeting, notably 244 within the Administration Division. 245 246 Council Member Rafferty asked about the purchase of vehicles and noted that he will be 247 sending an email to staff with specific questions. There was further discussion about a 248 decision made by the council to cycle vehicles on a four-year schedule and the mayor 249 suggested that it’s a topic that may be appropriate for a public safety committee meeting. 250 Council Member Kusterman remarked that the council has heard the reasons and 251 discussed that and he thinks it’s not up for discussion as much as it is that either you 252 agree with the recommendation or you do not; it may be interesting if new information is 253 added such as what others are doing. As part of the discussion, the mayor remarked that 254 the fire equipment is being used a lot less than under the previous model; that can be 255 discussed and reviewed. Council Member Manthey remarked that the conversation will 256 bring to light the council’s view as well as staff’s view of the situation; it’s good to have 257 exchange of information and to have a background for asking for information. He 258 doesn’t want to necessarily have the path paved but wants information, communication 259 and understanding around decisions. 260 261 Dale Stoesz, city resident, made a suggestion of including in the budget council member 262 access to Comcast. 263 264 Director Cotton reminded the council that the preliminary levy needs to be approved at 265 the second meeting in September. The council will have an additional budget session 266 following next week’s council meeting. 267 268