07-26-2021 Council Special Budget Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION APPROVED 133 Staff noted that the impact of adding the storm water utility would be revenue of 134 $300,000. 135 136 Councilmember Stoesz asked if contracting for park services is an option instead of 137 adding a position. Public Services Director DeGardner responded that it's been 25 years 138 since a park maintenance position was added and it's just a matter of needs and more 139 personnel I warranted. 140 141 Councilmember Lyden asked what staff needs on the budget right now. Ms. Lynch said 142 staff is getting information through this process; she asks if staff should produce a budget 143 book that includes the higher tax rate. Are there any assumptions the council would like 144 staff to incorporate (she noted the recreation questions and if the surface water fee should 145 be included even though it's not approved, or the YMCA levy that could be changed). 146 147 Mayor Rafferty said two councilmembers have asked for a scenario that brings the rate 148 down to 40.1% and he asked if a 41.5% scenario would bean acceptable view. Ms. 149 Lynch remarked that with a flat tax rate, all the adjustments requested by staff would 150 basically be gone. Councilmember Lyden asked for a budget that maintains city services 151 but nothing else; Ms. Lynch said the 44.5% is that level. 152 153 Mayor Rafferty noted the storm water utility as a must and also funding the capital 154 program through reserves saving $250,000. The mayor asked for the pros and cons of 155 not purchasing the dump truck. Public Services Director DeGardner noted that the truck 156 proposed to be replaced has been identified by the City mechanic; it's a specialized 157 vehicle and if it goes out of service, there is a real impact. Staff clarified that the mayor is 158 discussing the option of utilizing the $500,000 reserve fund for capital equipment funds 159 and including the dump truck purchase. Staff asked if the dump truck should be included 160 in the next round and the council concurred. 161 162 Administrator Cotton noted that there is no funding included for Blue Heron Days. She 163 recommends that funding be included if the council sees the need for 2022. 164 165 Councilmember Cavegn asked if there is a way to reduce smaller areas, noting recycling 166 costs, by just using less. Public Services Director DeGardner noted that management 167 staff works to reduce costs at all the time and in the normal course of their work and he 168 noted some recent cases. 169 170 Mayor Rafferty noted the Recreation Coordinator position; he suggested that 171 collaboration could be a good approach. Administrator Cotton suggested that if there 172 were staff at a new rec center, there should be opportunity to coordinate recreation 173 staffing with certain event planning functions. 174 175 Staff will take feedback received tonight and update the proposed budget and get that into 176 books. 177