08-24-2015 Council Special Work Session Minutes

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COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION August 24, 2015 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : August 24, 2015 TIME STARTED : 8:10 p.m. TIME ENDED : 9:45 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman, Roeser, Rafferty and Mayor Reinert MEMBERS ABSENT : none Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Finance Director Sarah Cotton; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner 2016 Budget Discussion -The council had received a budget in draft foul" and an analysis sheet indicating budget gaps (updated from the last work session) for discussion. The council reviewed the 2016 General Fund Budget/Gap Analysis Net Tax Capacity Calculation. The mayor clarified that the fiscal disparities contribution received by the city is included in the total net levy. Administrator Karlson explained that the fiscal disparities figure is a projection. The mayor noted that the fiscal disparities figure included in the budget pages is different than the figure on the tax capacity sheet. Council Member Roeser added that he found information on-line that indicates that the tax capacity value actually went up 4% rather than the 3% noted on that sheet. Administrator Karlson responded that the figures included by staff were received directly from Anoka County. Administrator Karlson reviewed the General Fund Forecast Gap Analysis. He noted that at the last session, the council identified $323,000 in debits within the 2015 budget. The mayor recalled that the council also trimmed from the 2016 budget. Regarding the Streets budget on Page D-75 of the budget handout, Director DeGardner noted increases in maintenance supplies (for 35W interchange flower bed work), salt and sand is estimated to be a little higher, and an additional seasonal person to improve maintenance along county roads. Staff is also recommending an increase in 2016 in contractual services in the area of additional hazardous tree removal and street patching. The council also reviewed Page D93, the Street Maintenance budget which is being raised in 2016 to $540,000 (including mill and overlay, sealcoating and some patching). The council discussed lowering that to the 2015 amount; Community Development Director Grochala suggested that it may better to move the trail maintenance line item into this line (saving about $20,000). Council Member Roeser noted that the $110,000 for the fire pension is a one-time cost so it would make sense to move that from the closed bond fund. Public Safety Director Swenson said the number is an estimate and he does expect it to come down. Council Member Roeser also suggested that the council develop a policy about use of close bond funds. 1