01-09-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES December 12, 2016 DRAFT 3 Council Member Rafferty asked about the fund balance that remains and Ms. Cotton assured the council 87 the city’s fund balance will remain at fifty percent or greater, the amount established as a minimum by 88 city policy. 89 Mayor Reinert opened the public hearing. 90 There being no one present wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. 91 i) Consider Resolution No. 16-162, Adopting the Final 2016 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2017 - 92 Finance Director Cotton explained that Minnesota law requires the city to adopt and certify it’s tax levy 93 by December 28th of each year. She noted that the council has reviewed the city’s proposed levy and 94 she is requesting approval. 95 Council Member Rafferty noted the difference between this year’s and last year’s levy, noted to be an 96 increase of 4.78 percen. 97 Mayor R einert remarked that the work was thorough and good for the coming year’s budget. He 98 believes the council has been very fiscally responsible in year’s past and again this year. He still has 99 some concern about the Police Department. There was an increase in the Public Safety budget because 100 of the addition of fire services that relates to start up costs last year. Now he is concerned that the 101 Police Department element of the budget is going up another six percent, an average of 8 percent a year. 102 He is hoping to be able to address the situation by opening discussion with the council to call for no 103 increase in the Public Safety Department budget in 2018. With agreement of that discussion, he is 104 comfortable moving forward. 105 Council Member Maher said that would be an admirable way to go but she would be concerned if it 106 resulted in any decrease in the services of the Public Safety Department. 107 Council Member Kusterman said he sees no harm in discussion although he wouldn’t be comfortable 108 commiting at this point. The city is growing and he wouldn’t want to see the services diminished in any 109 way. There is a balancing act of expenditures versus public safety. 110 Council Member Rafferty said he is intrigued by the suggestion of limiting the budget and noted his 111 discomfort with where the budget is at. But also that he is taxed at trying to move any further in 112 decreasing the budget. He’s interested in options to look more in the future. He’s willing to commit to 113 the statement. 114 Council Member Manthey said he can’t commit to a 2018 budget at this time; it would be short sighted. 115 He feels the council normally has lots of discussion about the city budget and will continue that next 116 year. 117 Mayor Reinert said he cannot support an eight percent increase; the amount of increase over the past 118 few years is not satisfactory to him. He is not criticizing the department at all or the level or service; he 119 just likes to do a lot with a little and eight percent increases every year is not sustainable. 120 Council Member Kusterman, on the budget, thanked Ms. Cotton for her work. The budget is a key 121 element of the council’s work and at the end of the day he feels collectively the council and staff did a 122 good job in continuing the work of the city and services provided. 123 Council Member Manthey moved to approve Resolution No. 16-162 as presented. Council Member 124 Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 125