11/28/1990 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 COUNCIL BUDGET WORRSESSION 28 NOVEMBER 1990 Mayor Harold Bisel called the City Council Budget Work Session to order at 4:15 P.M., Wednesday 28 November 1990. Members Present: Kuether, Reinert, Bohjanen. Randy Schumacher, City Administrator, Daniel Tesch, Assistant to the City Administrator, and Paula Schloer, City Accountant were also present. Council Member Neil arrived at 4:40 P.M. Mr. Schumacher began the meeting by explaining the state's budgetary climate. The League of Minnesota Cities had held a session the day before which outlined the bleak future for municipalities in Minnesota. Fiscal disparities, new tax classes, levy limits, and a new comparable worth law are all up for review. Mayor Bisel questioned Mr. Schumacher as to whether or not our representatives in the legislature would be able to attend our meeting. Representative Quinn had phoned his regrets, Senator Dahl had not responded to our invitation. It was the concensus of the council that their strategy for the upcoming public hearing on the budget be basic, easy to understand, factual, and to create charts that the public would be able to follow. Mr. Schumacher reiterated how complicated the budget process had become, especially in the areas of revenue. Ms. Schloer pointed out that the state has had problems with their computers, and getting reliable figures on our HACA credits has been very slow. Council Member Reinert stated that the city should respond to the economy, and operate frugally and control it's internal costs. With the exception of the fire hall, which is mandated, we should tighten our belts. Mr. Schumacher stated that he and Ms. Schloer had already gone through the preliminary August budget, and had made significant cuts. He added that they have not been popular with department heads. Mr. Schumacher reported that capital outlay had been reduced from a proposed August level of $408,000.00 to $88,000.00, $27,000.00 of which is squad cars. Mayor Bisel stated that he did not want to be so frugal that we would be hit with a huge bill for equipment in a few years. We need to make smart cuts. Mr. Schumacher reported that he had already brought down the proposed levy increase from 21.8% in August to $14% in November. Mr. Reinert asked Mr. Schumacher if it would be possible add a percentage column off to the right of the worksheet which would note what percentage increase or decrease is being proposed. Mr. Schumacher responded that would be possible, and would be adjusted in time for the next meeting. Ms. Schloer handed out the August "preliminary budget" which represented the department head wish lists. The Council then PAGE 1 105