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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 4,2013 <br /> APPROVED <br /> 134 5. Five-Year Financial Forecast-Finance Director Rolek reviewed the updated <br /> 135 forecast. He noted changes in assumptions to the operating forecast and discussed <br /> 136 questions as follows: <br /> 137 <br /> 138 -tax capacity rate increase; <br /> 139 - assumes a successful referendum under the current charter; <br /> 140 -no impact under the Governor's budget proposal; <br /> 141 - discussion of YMCA debt and how long it would be in place; <br /> 142 -tax base in 2014 changes from flat to a moderate decrease; <br /> 143 - capital equipment replacement grows after 2013; <br /> 144 - recreation complex-assumes only funding to pay on the debt; <br /> 145 - road reconstruction-assumes some funding and no change to the city charter; <br /> 146 -the capital improvement program includes programs included in the comp plan and <br /> 147 utility plan. <br /> 148 <br /> 149 Staff is looking for direction from the council on the forecast. The mayor noted that he <br /> 150 sees the need to do what is necessary to keep a handle on the levy; a fifteen percent <br /> 151 increase over the next five years he doesn't see. The mayor would like to also see a <br /> 152 forecast built on different assumptions; how can rates go up when the revenue is going <br /> 153 down? Council Member Roeser suggested that revenues as well as economies and <br /> 154 technology would be a good plan. Council members suggested something like going out <br /> 155 for bid on information technology services. The council would like to see a document <br /> 156 that better highlights priorities and the mayor recommended setting up a special session to <br /> 157 gain a more comprehensive approach to a forecast. The mayor would also like to include <br /> 158 discussion on next year's budget; he needs to understand what the overall figures <br /> 159 represent. Other council members spoke in favor of looking for consolidations, <br /> 160 efficiencies and outsourcing. <br /> 161 <br /> 162 7. Charter Commission Expenditures-Mayor Reinert explained that he attended the <br /> 163 last Charter Commission meeting (following last fall's election). A commission member <br /> 164 said that the commission should be paying attention to the vote that occurred on the <br /> 165 charter amendment-in that a majority voted for a change. There were some ideas raised <br /> 166 by commissioner members and some wanted to forward those ideas to the council. A <br /> 167 vote was taken and there were comments from some saying they did not want to work <br /> 168 with the council. Commissioner Storberg said that she sees value in the amendment and <br /> 169 she moved for a joint meeting with the council to discuss the amendment or other <br /> 170 suggestions to move forward. Mayor Reinert said such a meeting could be facilitated by <br /> 171 someone not on the council or the commission. The mayor has spoken with Charter <br /> 172 Commission Chair Chris Lyden, confirmed the motion to have a joint meeting and <br /> 173 confirmed his support to have attorneys for both groups present and that their attorney be <br /> 174 paid outside of their $1,500 annual budget (just for this one meeting). The mayor said he <br /> 175 also heard that the commission has a standing concern about losing their minute taking <br /> 176 services (Timesavers) and he would support having that service again. A council <br /> 177 member replied that if there are to be two attorneys at a joint meeting, it should be agreed <br /> 4 <br />