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COUNCIL MINUTES December 12, 2016 <br />APPROVED <br />87 Council Member Rafferty asked about the fund balance that remains and Ms. Cotton assured the council <br />88 the city's fund balance will remain at fifty percent or greater, the amount established as a minimum by <br />89 city policy. <br />90 Mayor Reinert opened the public hearing. <br />91 There being no one present wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. <br />92 i) Consider Resolution No. 16462, Adopting the Final 2016 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2017 - <br />93 Finance Director Cotton explained that Minnesota law requires the city to adopt and certify it's tax levy <br />94 by December 28th of each year. She noted that the council has reviewed the city's proposed levy and <br />95 she is requesting approval. <br />96 Council Member Rafferty noted the difference between this year's and last year's levy, noted to be an <br />97 increase of 4.78 percen. <br />98 Mayor Reinert remarked that the work was thorough and good for the coming year's budget. He <br />99 believes the council has been very fiscally responsible in year's past and again this year. He still has <br />too some concern about the Police Department. There was an increase in the Public Safety budget because <br />101 of the addition of fire services that relates to start up costs last year. Now he is concerned that the <br />102 Police Department element of the budget is going up another six percent, an average of 8 percent a year. <br />103 He is hoping to be able to address the situation by opening discussion with the council to call for no <br />104 increase in the Public Safety Department budget in 2018. With agreement of that discussion, he is <br />105 comfortable moving forward. <br />106 Council Member Maher said that would be an admirable way to go but she would be concerned if it <br />107 resulted in any decrease in the services of the Public Safety Department. <br />108 Council Member Kusterman said he sees no harm in discussion although he wouldn't be comfortable <br />109 commiting at this point. The city is growing and he wouldn't want to see the services diminished in any <br />110 way. There is a balancing act of expenditures versus public safety. <br />111 Council Member Rafferty said he is intrigued by the suggestion of limiting the budget and noted his <br />112 discomfort with where the budget is at. But also that he is taxed at trying to move any further in <br />113 decreasing the budget. He's interested in options to look more in the future. He's willing to commit to <br />114 the statement. <br />115 Council Member Manthey said he can't commit to a 2018 budget at this time; it would be short sighted. <br />116 He feels the council normally has lots of discussion about the city budget and will continue that next <br />117 year. <br />118 Mayor Reinert said he cannot support an eight percent increase; the amount of increase over the past <br />119 few years is not satisfactory to him. He is not criticizing the department at all or the level or service; he <br />120 just likes to do a lot with a little and eight percent increases every year is not sustainable. <br />121 Council Member Kusterman, on the budget, thanked Ms. Cotton for her work. The budget is a key <br />122 element of the council's work and at the end of the day he feels collectively the council and staff did a <br />123 good job in continuing the work of the city and services provided. <br />124 Council Member Manthey moved to approve Resolution No. 16-162 as presented. Council Member <br />125 Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. <br />3 <br />