10/19/2005 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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09/01/2005 • • • 2 Memo Footnote discussion of amended 2006 Budget: 1. Monitoring and Assessment. The previously approved amounts for the volunteer lake monitoring program and the Ramsey County lab work were continued. Lambert Creek monitoring data collection was deferred pending the Water Plan and further discussion with the St. Paul Regional Water Service (SPRWS). 2. Outside professional consultants. As larger capital improvement projects and education pilot projects would be defined in the Water Plan this area was trimmed back to level that would allow for development plan reviews by an engineering consultant and some additional education (double 2005) monies. It was strongly suggested that the application fee structure be reviewed and updated (see income item) with costs such as engineering reviews of applications be considered a `pass - through' cost borne by the applicant. Legal and financial consulting budgets were maintained as approved. 3. Information Systems. A website upgrade, including links to all of the member sites was considered essential and need not be deferred to 2007. The website upgrade was increased from $1500 to $2000. This upgrade will stop short of making our database available on -line. Updating our database first will most likely be an Implementation item in the Water Plan. Computer systems budget was decreased from $4400 to $3500. This however, could still allow for the purchase of a new computer for an intern to use this year and potentially a full -time staff person to use in the future. This item should include set -up and networking assistance. 4. Office. This was increased over the current level of $3300 to $4000. But it did not assume moving to a market rate office space at the $15,000. Nor does it fund most potential office upgrades (desks & file system) that have been identified if VLAWMO adds a staff person. 5. Insurance. This is increased slightly over 2005 ($2600 to $2700), but somewhat lower than approved 2006 of $3200. Workers compensation will not be needed for the second person. 6. Maintenance. This item was considered essential, but costs were not broken out by project area. The amount was increased from $7500 to $10,000. 7. Administration. The amount for the administrator was left as budgeted. The intern funding was cut to $7000 based on the experience committee members. The committee recommends deferring the additional staff person until the Water Plan Implementation program is available. At that time VLAWMO may have a clearer vision of the needs to met by staff person. One member suggested VLAWMO may want to reduce or eliminate the engineering consultant budget item and might be better served by hiring a staff engineer. 8. Training. With 1.5 staff rather than 2.5 staff persons, training was left at its current level ($700) rather than the approved $1400. 9. Misc. and Contingency. This amount was reduced to the current level of $1000 rather than the approved $11,800 that anticipated moving, resetting up the office and hiring another full time staff person. 10. Water Plan. Similar Water Plans in the metro area have been costing at least $100,000. Particular attention will be paid to Goals & Policies and Implementation Program, providing a level of detail now required by State Rules. The Water Plan must be expedited and may cost more as a result. The recommended 2006 budget ($75,000) would bring the total available for the Water Plan update to $1 10,000. 11. Fees for Service. The current pricing structure will be reviewed and updated.