07-27-2020 Council Work Session Minutes 2

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 132 to expenditures be the City's budget practice even if yearly phasing is necessary to get 133 there. 134 135 Councilmember Lyden noted that the figures presented are not popular. His goal is to 136 maintain the tax rate (39.87); he doesn't want to go line by line in the budget but would 137 prefer to let the management team make recommendations on how to reach that goal. 138 Mayor Rafferty remarked that it's important to him that the council fully understands 139 what's included in the budget. 140 141 Ms. Cotton reviewed additional elements of the budget: 142 - Revenue estimates; 143 - Personnel—some new requests included which staff spoke to: 144 145 Public Safety Director Swenson explained that the department and council have discussed 146 how to reach full authorized staffing which is 27 sworn(same going back to 2010). The 147 staffing level impact public safety response. The department is asking for two additional 148 officers to increase staffing, particularly during daytime hours. They are also requesting 149 an investigative position to free up sworn staff time. Councilmember Cavegn asked if 150 there is data indicated the increase in calls since 2010; Director Swenson noted a steady 151 increase looking back at dispatch reports he sees an increase from 2010 to 2019 is about 152 2,791 calls for service. 153 154 Public Services Director DeGardner reviewed his personnel requests. A street 155 maintenance position is requested as there has been no increase in that area since 2006 156 with the major impact he sees upon snowplowing services. There is also a request for an 157 additional truck to assist with plowing. The next position requested is a part time 158 position(.06 FTE)that focuses on special events and programming. Additionally the 159 budget includes a utility position funded by the water and sewer fund based on more 160 workload in this area; he reminded the council of larger utility projects coming along. 161 162 Mayor Rafferty noted requests for new positions. He is aware there are needs but being 163 in the middle of COVID, it's hard to understand what the future holds; he prefers to move 164 forward conservatively with this year's budget. 165 166 Councilmember Lyden said he's looking for creative answers. Perhaps some duties 167 could be combined for a new position. 168 169 Councilmember Cavegn said he understands the needs and he sees the budget can't 170 absorb additional costs so he'd like to hear more about creativity perhaps with how 171 positions are funded. 172 173 Administrator Cotton remarked that one idea that's been discussed in the past is a storm 174 water utility;that could be a revenue source. Also franchise and street lighting fees are a 175 possibility which utilizes fees rather than taxation for related costs. Councilmember 176 Cavegn asked what a utility fee would cost and Mr. Grochala estimated around$20-25 in 4