HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-2018 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 10, 2018
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3
4 DATE September 10, 2018
5 TIME STARTED 7:35 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 8:10 P.M.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Council Member Rafferty, Maher,
8 Manthey, Stoesz and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT None
10
11 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Public Safety Director John
12 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Finance Director Sarah
13 Cotton; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner; City Clerk Julie Bartell
14 1. 2019 Draft Budget &Tax Levy
1 s FIND BUDGET RECAP AND ADD TO RECORD
16 Mayor Reinert reviewed the 2019 Budget Session Recap, reviewing the last budget
17 review sessions (August 22nd and August 27tn)
18
19 Mayor Reinert asked how allocation of the project budget reserves in the amount of
20 $400,150 toward reducing the levy would impact the tax rate. Ms. Cotton explained that
21 would result in a tax rate of approximately 41.724%, with clarification that the valuation
22 figures are not final at this point.
23
24 The council discussed future needs, including capital. It is important to plan ahead.
25
26 Finance Director Cotton pointed out Street Reconstruction Bonds upcoming next year.
27 She noted that there are no capital commitments coming off next year.
28
29 Mayor Reinert said he recognizes the need to address the public works situation in the
30 future.
31
32 Council Member Stoesz noted that by adding the communications (newsletter) budget for
33 the council and mayor, the recreation budget and the environmental waste area, there is
34 over $30,000 in communication funds being budgeted. He wonders if there is alignment
35 possible as he'd like to see efficiency in communication. Finance Director Cotton
36 clarified that the recycling communications are funded through the SCORE grant and
37 those funds would probably be lost if the communication didn't occur. Administrator
38 Karlson warned that more frequent newsletters would require a lot of additional staff
39 time; if the council were to establish a communications position that would help.
40
41 Council Member Maher remarked that, looking at the budget line by line, she was
42 amazed at how expensive it is to run a city.
43
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 10, 2018
.. 1
44 Finance Director Cotton recalled her request that the council designate funds to cover the
45 Recreation Fund deficit. Mayor Reinert said he wouldn't want to reduce the $400,000
46 for that purpose but would rather see the funds come from contingency. Ms. Cotton then
47 explained that the increase in the yearly levy would then be about 3.94%.
48
49 Mayor Reinert noted that this would represent the maximum levy amount — a reduction
50 would still be possible.
51
52 Ms. Cotton explained the amount of reserve funds that are included in the proposed.
53 budget that will be utilized and that the city reserve will still be at 50%.
54
55 The council requested that they be informed of the county and school district(s) proposed
56 levies.
57
58 Council Member Maher asked about the funding to Alexandra House. Chief Swenson
59 said this city hasn't traditionally provided funds for the services but they always request
60 it. He believes the service level has gone up.
61
62 The council concurred that the $400,000 budget reserve will go toward the levy which
63 will then total $10,162,007.
64
65 The council thanked Ms. Cotton for her work on the budget.
66
67 The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
68
69 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting
70 held on October 8, 2018.
71
72
73
74
75 JuZimni� Bartell, City CPrk
76
2