10-21-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 21, 2010 APPROVED 46 L 47 Finance Director Rolek reviewed the 2010 budget forecast through September 30, 2010, 48 including favorable/unfavorable revenues and expenditures. He noted that with revenue 49 running under at approximately $244,561 and expenditures running with savings of 50 approximately $608,478, the forecasted surplus for 2010 is $363,917. Upon request, Mr. 51 Rolek explained that the city doesn't receive Local Government Aid (LGA) from the state 52 because the city ranks low on the criteria for that funding(i.e. age of housing, population 53 growth, economic vitality). 54 55 2011 Budget Discussion—Finance Director Rolek noted that staff is presenting(in their 56 report)possible budget reductions for the council's consideration. He reviewed the list, 57 noting that it totals $572,231 or about $50,000 below the figure needed to balance the 58 budget. He also noted that the list includes a proposal to eliminate the Public Works 59 Superintendent position(to be vacated by a retirement) as well as eliminate the Natural 60 Resource Specialist position and create a Streets Supervisor position. Also the Senior 61 Coordinator position would be eliminated under this proposal with some of the duties 62 transferred to a Recreation Supervisor already in place. 63 64 A council member remarked that the proposed reductions include less levy funding for 65 capital equipment and wondered how the city can keep up with its capital equipment 66 needs with such a reduction. Mr. Rolek explained that debt funding can be substituted. 67 68 Administrator Karlson reviewed a chart that indicated the city's total full time equivalent 69 (FTE)positions (non-police) over the past ten years. He noted that the spike in personnel 70 between 2004 and 2009 is not necessarily attributed to population growth but rather some 71 grant funding and natural resource mandates. 72 73 It was confirmed for a council member that there would be no loss of services with the 74 restructured Street Supervisor position; some of the duties of the Public Works 75 Superintendent position would be shifted to the Public Works Director, some to the 76 Environmental Coordinator and some to seasonal workers. Public Services Director 77 DeGardner added that the filling of the new position will be handled as required by the 78 impacted labor union. 79 80 When asked about the reduction of two patrol officer positions, Chief Strege explained 81 that the department's major focus on absorbing that loss would be to maintain full 82 staffing for the patrol functions. That may mean that the city's officer assigned to the 83 Violent Offender Task Force would be pulled back as well as some school related 84 functions realigned. Chief Strege said the department is being creative and will make it 85 successful if that is the direction of the council. 86 87 The mayor acknowledged the creativity of staff in the reductions presented; it must be a 88 team effort that brings the city through the difficult economic times. 89 2