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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 21, 2012 <br /> APPROVED <br /> 83 fully understand a gap. The council discussed the perspective of not focusing on a levy <br /> L 84 number but rather on needs and the cost of those needs. Administrator Karlson noted <br /> 85 that the council will want to see revenues and expenditures and work with the budget <br /> 86 from there. The mayor suggested that a direction to staff is to show the council how they <br /> 87 can maintain the same level of services to residents as in 2012; he'd like to see if there are <br /> 88 any services that are being provided that are obsolete. Council Member Stoesz added that <br /> 89 he'd like to receive a graph that indicates who (residents) benefits from what elements of <br /> 90 the city budget. <br /> 91 The council discussed possible savings in the snow plowing budget and heard that the <br /> 92 spending of those funds isn't final until the end of the year. When asked if forfeiture <br /> 93 funds will be available, Chief Swenson explained that use of those funds is strictly <br /> 94 controlled under law. Suggestions from Council Member Roeser: consider new revenue <br /> 95 from newly built homes in the city, leasing of equipment to other jurisdictions, <br /> 96 outsourcing if called for by wage increases, and health care alternatives. <br /> 97 Council Member Rafferty asked for a breakdown of the 13.75 positions, how and where <br /> 98 did they go. He would also like to see information on best practice on how long to keep <br /> 99 equipment. <br /> 100 Council and staff discussed the unpredictable variables such as a tax cap. The variables <br /> 101 have to be considered as much as possible in case they do happen. <br /> 102 Administrator Karlson noted that staff is still looking for efficiencies and will present a <br /> 103 preliminary budget in late July. Council Member Rafferty suggested that he'd like to <br /> 104 have information as early as possible because the more review the council can do,the <br /> 105 better informed the decisions. <br /> 106 Council Member Stoesz added that he is interested in increasing the IT efficiency of the <br /> 107 city, such as by providing more city information and forms on-line. He suggests that <br /> 108 resident visits to city hall be logged so as to determine the best way to provide those <br /> 109 services they need on-line. Administrator Karlson pointed out that there are some IT <br /> 110 projects underway right now that are demanding much time so it may be difficult to <br /> 111 engage new IT efforts now. Specifically the document imaging conversion project will <br /> 112 be a huge efficiency but since the project is being undertaken without outside assistance, <br /> 113 it is challenging. The mayor added that the council needs to hear about challenges to <br /> 114 projects; the council supports greater improvement and efficiencies but understands the <br /> 115 stress of more work with less employees. <br /> 116 Council Member Roeser suggested that interns (paid or otherwise)may be a good <br /> 117 resource for the city right now. He also noted that the city should be seeing some energy <br /> 118 savings through recent retrofits. <br /> 119 The council concurred that they would continue the discussion at a special work session <br /> 120 on June 25, 2012 after the regular council meeting. <br /> 121 <br /> 122 The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. <br /> 123 <br /> 3 <br />