12/16/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

APPROVED COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 2002 • the union in relation to insurance. Employees are already paying more for insurance. Staff is very diligent in trying to keep City costs down. • • Councilmember Carlson stated the increase in the budget is 4%. She stated she is looking at this like a family. When a family grows it costs more to care for the family. Not adding any staff and finding ways to keep the same levels of service is very difficult. She stated she does have questions about non-union salaries but will vote to approve the proposed budget. She stated the City does need to look at how salaries and healthcare costs are negotiated. The City also needs to consider non-union healthcare. A 4.4% increase in the budget is in line with a City of the size of Lino Lakes. Acting Mayor Reinert stated he will support the 4.12% increase because there have been huge insurance cost increases. There is also a cost of living increase in the budget. There has been a 16% growth in the City. The first budget that was proposed had an 11% increase. Staff and Council worked very hard to get that figure down. The City is going to experience more and more costs because the City is growing. Motion carried with Councilmember Dahl voting no. Resolution No. 02 — 184 can be found in the City Clerk's office. Consideration of Resolution No. 02 —185, Adopting the 2003 Water and Sewer Operating Budgets — Finance Director Rolek advised the City Council reviewed the proposed 2003 Water and Sewer Operating Budgets at their Budget work session held August 28, 2002. No adjustments have been made to the proposed budgets since that date. The budgets include the cost of depreciation of infrastructure as an expense, and recovery of this cost is incorporated into the utility rate structure. It has been the practice of the City Council to adopt the Water and Sewer Operating budgets by resolution. Staff recommendation is to adopt Resolution 02-185 adopting the final 2003 Water and Sewer Operating Budgets. Councilmember Carlson asked if the City is going to maintain the fund for replacement and if it is included in the budget. Finance Director Rolek stated the replacement fund is included in the budget but it is not itemized. The water rate will remain the same. Councilmember Carlson moved to adopt Resolution No. 02 — 185, as presented. Councilmember Dahl seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution No. 02 — 185 can be found in the City Clerk's office. Consideration of Resolution No. 02 —186, Adopting the 2003 Recreation Fund Budget — Finance Director Rolek advised the City Council reviewed the proposed 2003 Recreation Fund Operating Budgets at their Budget work session held August 28, 2002. The budget being presented for approval has not changed since the work session. The Recreation Fund is a special revenue fund and operates from revenues collected from recreation fees. No part of the tax levy is used to finance Recreation 8