09-21-2020 Council Budget Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL vvORK SESSION APPROVED 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES 2 MINUTES 3 4 DATE September 21, 2020 5 TIME STARTED 6*40 p.m. 6 TIME ENDED 7*05 p.m. 7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland, 8 Cavegn (by phone) and Mayor Rafferty 9 MEMBERS ABSENT None 10 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Community Development 11 Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety John Swenson; Public Services 12 Director Rick DeGardner; and City Clerk Julie Bartell 13 14 1. 2021 Budget Discussion —City Administrator Cotton recalled the last discussion 15 with the council on the 2021 budget (September 8th work session) and her announcement 16 that updated information had been received from Anoka County regarding anticipated tax 17 collections. That news results in additional funds in the amount of $62,502 which means 18 that more funding is available to maintain a tax capacity rate of 39.870. That eliminates 19 the gap that existed at the beginning of the budget discussions and also makes new 20 funding available. 21 22 Mayor Rafferty expressed confidence that the council and staff will be able to work 23 together to maintain the tax rate. He discussed the possibility of anything changing prior 24 to formal budget adoption and Ms. Cotton indicated that, while there could be minor 25 adjustments, she expects little change and if necessary changes could be handled with 26 budget adjustments. She noted outstanding items such as labor contracts and some 27 health care items and also that there is some contingency remaining for the current year. 28 29 Mayor Rafferty remarked that there will be more discussion forthcoming but it's 30 understood that the preliminary budget is the cap. 31 32 Councilmember Lyden suggested that there's nothing wrong with a tax cut if that is 33 possible. 34 35 Adminstrator Cotton noted that she will provide additional information to the council on 36 changes in the 2021 budget. She suggested that the general fund reserve remaining could 37 be left and information will be shared again on those items discussed for possible 38 funding. Ms. Cotton added that it's notable that the current proposed budget includes no 39 use of fund reserves and that is good. 40 41 Councilmember Stoesz asked if there is any information on a CARES Act II and Ms. 42 Cotton said there is nothing to report. Councilmember Stoesz asked if there is any 43 additional information on the message board or opportunities in that area. Public 44 Services Director DeGardner noted plans to purchase a trailer mounted sign that would 1