12-14-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 3 utilized but it is feasible. Director Swenson suggested that he will have feedback from his 88 research on this matter ready for 2022 budget discussion. 89 c) Review General Fund - 90 - Contingency fund and its balance is the focus of this discussion; 91 - Currently there is $66,170 extra in the contingency (possible uses are included in the 92 staff report); 93 - Warming house staff and Blue Heron Days funding is also included in the budget but 94 may also be diverted depending on those needs for the year); 95 - Staff is looking for a discussion of the contingency funds use; of course leaving the 96 funds in place is an option especially in consideration of the pandemic situation; 97 - Administrator Cotton noted the small decrease in valuation identified by the County 98 since tax notifications have gone out. 99 100 Mayor Rafferty noted that he believes the contingency fund has been kept in the range of 101 $75,000. He’s interested in discussing things like the warming house use. 102 103 Councilmember Stoesz asked what other cities are doing as far as warming houses. 104 Director DeGarder said he hasn’t checked but he expects that, with the pandemic, there 105 will be little activity. 106 107 Councilmember Lyden said he’s okay with leaving the funds for a rainy day. 108 109 Councilmember Cavegn said he’d like to see the funds used to facilitate Blue Heron Days 110 and some recreational activities (opening up). 111 112 Councilmember Ruhland concurred that a vaccine is probably on the horizon and he 113 expects people will be wanting to get back into activities quickly. He’s also not adverse 114 to setting funds aside. 115 116 Mayor Rafferty remarked that the City is at a six percent increase to property owners at 117 this point and, with the pandemic, some people may be hard pressed. He supports ideas 118 he’s hearing from the council but he would like to understand more. Director DeGardner 119 noted that the warming house program doesn’t work without supervisory personnel and 120 Ms. Cotton noted the $40,000+ cost of a part time position noted in the budget; if the 121 council wishes, the funds could be left in contingency for a time when the pandemic 122 situation changes and the council can discuss programs at that time. Mayor Rafferty 123 asked the council to remember that people are still living with the uncertainly of 124 COVID19 and the extra contingency could be used to lower taxes. Mayor Rafferty added 125 that the Blue Heron Days funds ($10,000) could also be moved to lower taxes since he 126 doesn’t see that event coming forward for 2021; he would like to see a contingency of 127 about $70,000. 128 129 Councilmember Stoesz asked if the rinks will still be open without a warming house. 130 Director DeGardner said absolutely and he is looking at a lighting system that could be 131