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1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 1988 <br />budget is $174,518. This is 59.30% of the total budget of <br />$294,297.00. <br />Mayor Benson noted that when Mr. Bruen was before the <br />Council at a budget meeting he indicated that there could be <br />a compromise of splitting the difference between what was <br />requested in the Fire Department budget and what had been <br />included in the Lino Lakes preliminary budget. Mr. <br />Schumacher has since recommended that the Council increase <br />the Fire Department budget by $10,000 to $155,000. Mr. Bruen <br />explained the the Fire Commission has looked at the <br />possibility of splitting the difference making the total <br />Lino Lakes portion about $160,000. The Commission has come <br />to the position that for the last four years the district <br />has been attempting to come up with an operating budget and <br />feel a great deal of frustration because their budget <br />requests have not been approved. They feel they need a <br />certain budget to operate the district or it can be <br />dissolved. <br />Mayor Benson asked Mr. Benjamin what has been his position <br />in.this matter as a representative of Lino Lakes? Mr. <br />Benjamin said he has been compliant with the Council's <br />wishes, however the district has never received what is <br />needed and repairs are going up and items are not being <br />replaced as the need to be replaced. He explained that the <br />Commission has come up with a realistic budget and if it is <br />not completely funded the district will be digging a hole <br />that it may never be able to recover from. He also said <br />that he sees gapping holes in the Joint Powers Agreement <br />because the member Cities do not have the ability to <br />negotiate the dollars for the budget. Mr. Bruen agreed and <br />also noted that there are areas of the JPA that need <br />attention. Mayor Benson said this City is attempting to <br />renegotiate the JPA and noted that Circle Pines is willing <br />to sit down with Lino Lakes but because of the recent <br />Centerville election, Lino Lakes is unsure of their <br />reaction. <br />Mr. Benjamin explained that the formula needs particular <br />attention because it does not include a basic minimum and <br />therefore Lino Lakes is paying the lion's share of the <br />operational costs. He also noted that when a comparison is <br />made of where services are occuring, Lino Lakes also is <br />receiving more of the services, actually more services than <br />what the City is paying for -. Mr. Benjamin suggested that <br />this City needs to look at ways to control unathorized <br />burning. <br />PAGE 2 <br />089 <br />