09/08/2009 Council Packet (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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affect on how the city delivers services and on it's ability into the future to continue to deliver the high quality of services that our citizens have come to expect. Some affects included in the 2010 proposed budget: • Staff reductions of 5 FTE • Further reduced staffmg levels due to furloughs • No increase in pavement management maintenance budget for each of last 3 years — Pavement Management Plan calls for 5% increase each year • No increase in surface water maintenance budget for each of last 3 years • Suspension of the capital equipment funding plan • No contingency for unforeseen expenditure needs • Service level impacts, including customer service and ability to respond to maintenance needs In addition, future impacts and considerations include: • Reduction of the tax rate this year may compound budget funding problems for 2011 and ensuing years • Budgeting by tax rate may result in large swings both downward and upward in the City's future tax levies. This is especially true in a volatile property value market • Costs for outside services and supplies will continue to rise. The city's ability to maintain its services at these additional costs will be impacted if there is no ability to pay for them. • The ability for the City to recover in the future may be impacted by factors beyond its control — statutory levy limitations, legislative actions, charter levy limitations, economic factors such as property values, interest rates, etc. • Sustainability, continuity and ability to respond are key We must be cognizant of the factors that allow for the continuation and sustainability of city services, and that the cuts in the city's levy and budget today may translate into higher tax increases in future years if the adjustments made today are found to have adverse affects. We must keep in mind that Lino Lakes citizens truly do receive a value in public services at a reasonable cost. Sustainability must be our goal in considering any adjustments to city service levels.