08/27/2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 4111 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 •44 45 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES August 27, 2007 : August 27, 2007 . 7:35 p.m. . 9:45 p.m. : Councilmember Carlson, O'Donnell, Reinert, Stoltz and Mayor Bergeson : None Staff members present: City Administrator, Gordon Heitke; Finance Director, Al Rolek; Community Development Director, Mike Grochala; Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia; Director of Public Services, Rick DeGardner; Director of Administration, Dan Tesch; and City Clerk, Julie Bartell REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY 2008 BUDGET Finance Director Rolek presented the budget review. He noted staffs goals in preparing the 2008 budget: maintain service levels and adequate departmental resources, maintain city infrastructure and equipment, complete the comprehensive plan update, maintain a small reserve, all while maintaining a level tax rate. The budget includes three new staff positions: a patrol officer as well as a city engineer and assistant (moving engineering services in house from the current contractual services). The budget continues the capital equipment replacement program with a phase out of the debt program to save on financing costs. It fully funds the maintenance portion of the adopted Pavement Management Plan and also provides funding to continue the storm drainage system maintenance program. It will be the final year for the Target and Kohl's tax abatement and the YMCA abatement will begin. He reviewed the proposed 2008 tax rates, noting that the proposed budget would result in a slight property tax increase for some properties but would maintain or slightly reduce the current tax rate. Director Rolek responded to questions. The pending special session of the state legislature is not expected to affect the Lino Lakes' tax situation. Analyses have indicated that a change to in-house engineering staff would be cost effective as opposed to out sourcing of that service. It's a change that is included in the 5 Year Plan. Staff will provide further details on the proposed change. The plan to offset the loss of revenue from non -business licenses and permits was explained including anticipation of savings and an increase in investment earnings. On the possibility of a change to self insurance for health care, Mr. Rolek explained that the city's group isn't big enough to make that work. 1