07-27-2020 Council Work Session Minutes 2

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 177 2010. Ms. Cotton spoke to her experience in implementing a storm water utility in 178 another city and the need to provide education to the public on the fee. Staff will look at 179 those funding opportunities. 180 181 The mayor remarked that he likes the creative budgeting discussion but he also sees the 182 need for getting down to reducing the budget gap. 183 184 The council discussed the street rehabilitation budget and the mayor requested a five 185 percent increase; the council concurred. 186 187 Administrator Cotton moved to review of the Capital budget and capital equipment 188 replacement. Some of the capital equipment replacement is related to sales of 189 equipment,personnel levels, etc. And because of how equipment is purchased, there 190 would not be an impact in this budget for something that is removed. 191 192 Councilmember Stoesz remarked that the government isn't good at seeing outcome based 193 work. Is it possible to convert the FTE scenario to outcome based so as to present what a 194 new position would actually achieve? That better represents new workforce ideas. 195 196 Councilmember Ruhland asked about the impact of scheduling if a police officer position 197 were added. Director Swenson explained the shifts and how they schedule to meet 198 heaviest needs. When the mayor remarked that levels of vacation correlate with more 199 longevity and that impacts staffing,the City Administrator clarified that is a recognized 200 part of budgeting and scheduling. 201 202 Councilmember Lyden asked if the City could get more police officers if police cars are 203 kept longer including through proper maintenance. Director Swenson noted that the 204 City's patrol vehicles are not utilized in the same manner as other vehicles and therefore 205 there are safety concerns; he noted that a presentation on the purchase of vehicles will be 206 forthcoming. 207 208 Administrator Cotton remarked that the council has identified some items through this 209 discussion but she'd like for staff to have some high level guidance regarding areas such 210 as recreation. 211 212 Council discussion continued. Items noted: 213 - How to reach the desired tax rate (38); Staff advised that would mean a reduction 214 in the level of service,probably personnel related; Ms. Cotton added that to get to 215 the 39.75 the previous year there was a use of one time surplus funds and that left 216 the City with a gap this year; Ms. Cotton advised that the council should first 217 look at the level of service needed and that is the basis for the budget; 218 - Councilmember Cavegn suggested that there is $425,000 essentially available and 219 if there could be a place where that amount covers new requests,that would be a 220 win; the mayor spoke against that concept and expressed the desire to bring the 221 levy down without touching those funds; 5