05/08/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• APPROVED CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 8, 2002 Acting Mayor Reinert stated that just because there is more money coming in it does not mean the City has to spend it. Finance Director Rolek stated the Plan looks at the Directors' needs for the next several years to maintain the same level of service. This is the approach that was taken in calculating the operating expenses. Acting Mayor Reinert noted he and the Finance Director also discussed the issue of how the City will finance vehicles and the addition of an IS person. City Administrator Waite Smith advised the majority of the costs in the budget pertain to personnel. There is a huge increase in the Public Safety Department. Councilmember O'Donnell stated it looks like there is a 36% increase in the budget in the next five years. He stated he also believes there are opportunities for the City to do things in the next few years. He stated he will be looking at paybacks to the City for investments that have been made. It is key that there will not be tax relief from the state or school districts. He noted he is not too concerned about increases until he knows what impact they will have on residents. Finance Director Rolek distributed a list of General Fund budget increases for the years 1996 to 2002. City Administrator Waite Smith stated the Council needs to have a discussion about what level of service is the correct level of service. She noted all the staff additions in the Public Safety Department are due to additional revenue such as grants. Acting Mayor Reinert stated he would like to have a discussion with the Directors so they can explain the numbers that are presented in the Plan. Councilmember O'Donnell stated another issue is trying to determine the amount of reserve the City should have. Finance Director Rolek stated the reason for keeping 50% of the budget in reserves is because the City receives its revenue twice a year. The revenue carries the City through for each six month period. City Administrator Waite Smith noted the reserve amount would affect the City's bond rating. It was the consensus of the Council to open the public hearing on the Five Year Plan and continue it to the next Council meeting. A meeting with the Directors will be schedule for a future Council work session. This item will appear on the regular Council meeting agenda Monday, May 13, 2002, 6:30 p.m. SUMMARY OF PEDDLER LICENSE MATTERS, ANN BLAIR