07/13/1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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BUDGET WORKSESSION AUGUST 8, 1996 A new dump truck is included in this budget. It will replace a 1983 truck. This truck will also be used as a plow truck. He noted that all dump trucks are the same color. Council Member Neal asked who pays for street signs in new developments. Mr. DeWolfe explained that the City installs the signs. The signs are paid for by the developer. Fleet Management - This budget items includes the salary and benefits for a part-time on- call mechanic. Certain periods of each year cause additional mechanical work. This part- time mechanic will help the full -time mechanic get caught up. Professional Services - Random drug and alcohol testing is conducted throughout the year. Random testing is mandated by the State. REVENUES Mr. Schumacher explained that he has prepared a preliminary budget that does not include everything each department head has requested. An additional $400,000 will be needed to balance this budget. Council Member Lyden asked if there were any other City funds that could help pay these General Fund expenses. Mr. Schumacher noted that the City does have the Closed Bond Fund, however, he did not recommend that the City Council use these funds to balance the General Fund budget. Council Member Lyden said that he wanted everything "on the table ". He asked what is the Closed Bond Fund. Ms. Vaske explained. Council Member Lyden asked why isn't he aware of other funds that could be used. Mr. Schumacher said he wouldn't recommend using these funds because they could be needed in a crisis. Council Member Lyden asked Mr. Schumacher if he had his own agenda. Mr. Schumacher explained that the Council gets quarterly reports. He again said that Closed Bond Funds should not be used to balance the General Fund. Council Member Lyden felt that this should be a Council decision. Council Member Bergeson noted that every year the City is audited by an outside auditor. He felt that if needed, they should provide the "big picture" to the Council. He also suggested that Council Member Lyden should talk to the auditor if he did not understand the audit. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Mr. Ahrens presented the Engineering Department preliminary budget. He is requesting a printer that is needed to put together presentations. He also noted that a transportation plan is required by the Metropolitan Council as part of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and he has included the cost of preparing this plan in his budget. Council Member Bergeson asked if the cost of this plan is included in the overall Comprehensive Land Use Plan presented by Mr. Wessel. Mr. Ahrens said no, this is an additional cost. He noted that the total cost of the transportation plan is approximately $40,000. He suggested that $17,000 be budgeted for 1997 and $23,000 for 1998. Mr. Ahrens explained that the PAGE 13