03-01-2010 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 1, 2010 APPROVED 136 were unusual and would normally be covered by a budget contingency. The bottom line 137 is that the city remains in a good financial position and Mr. Rolek wants the council to 138 have that understanding as they enter budget discussions. The council was appreciative 139 of the early budget snapshot. Mr. Rolek indicated that he will be providing a snapshot 140 of the 2010 budget at the April work session. 141 142 Mr. Rolek then reviewed the city's method of operation for budgeting which is fund 143 based and that taxes are levied based on those fund based needs. He reviewed graphed 144 information relating to tax base, levy and impacts on taxpayers; the information indicates 145 that tax levy rate is not the only way to base taxation. The focus should be on identifying 146 priorities and costs and budgeting based on those findings. He reviewed the 2011 147 budget preparation calendar highlighting that much of the information that impacts the 148 budget(such as valuations) doesn't become available until September. Mr. Rolek 149 suggested that the council may want to focus on strategic planning and possibly through 150 the use of a facilitated planning session(s). A council member suggested that any 151 facilitator must be knowledgeable on city finances as well as somewhat familiar with 152 Lino Lakes in particular. Mr. Rolek also reviewed economic factors affecting the city's 153 budget and financing including state funding, property valuations, investment income and 154 building activity. He also reviewed prior financing decisions made by the council that 155 are and will continue to impact city finances and tax levies. Mr. Rolek also pointed out a 156 couple of successful cost saving measures through joint ventures that the city has already 157 undertaken. 158 L 159 Employee Health Insurance—Director Rolek provided some written information that 160 outlines the city's current health plan provisions for employees and measures that have 161 been taken to hold costs down in past years. The council was reminded that changes to 162 benefits such as health care coverage must be negotiated with employee unions when 163 appropriate. A council member commented that the information provided should serve 164 well to inform the council as they look at the subject of health care costs and impacts on 165 the city's budget. 166 4. Economic Development Update - Economic Development Director Divine 167 noted that the council requested this recap of economic development marketing efforts 168 over the past years and the potential for a mass marketing(something that hasn't been 169 done by the city). The city's current marketing efforts include provision of marketing 170 materials when requested, development of relationships with potential developers, 171 participation in a local tourism bureau, business retention and expansion efforts using 172 information obtained through business surveys, and use of the city's website to advertise 173 property availability. Ms. Divine reviewed past efforts in the area of developing 174 materials on identified sites. The council has established goals that include identifying 175 development areas and market analysis through the comprehensive plan update. The 176 city's Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) works regularly on idea to 177 improve the city's development processes and also has a long range strategic plan and 178 action plan that they continually update. 179 4