11/23/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Discontinues the JPA with Centennial School District for the maintenance of school play field facilities • Reduction of engineering services • Implements the State of MN policing grant to offset the wages of 2 officers in 2010, increasing revenues by $168,000 • Maintains a full complement of police officers in 2010 Future Impacts It should be noted that while the City Council may feel the need to hold level or reduce the city's tax rate in troubled economic times, the cost of doing so will certainly have an 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. Staff will continue to seek out methods to maintain service levels to the greatest extent possible. In addition, future impacts and considerations include: • 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. • Demand for basic services such as police and fire protection, road maintenance and plowing, park maintenance, recreation programming, protective inspections, code enforcement, storm water management, etc., have not decreased along with the economy. • 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. At this time, staff is seeking City Council direction on finalizing the 2010 budget. A discussion is scheduled for the November 23'd work session, with any further needed work sessions to be scheduled at that time. The budget will be presented at a scheduled public hearing on December 14, and will need to be adopted following the public hearing. 41% •