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Mounds View City Council October 14, 2002 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br />Mayor Sonterre indicated that each department head has been asked to find ways to cut costs and <br />he then noted that there is an item on the agenda to schedule a work session to discuss budgets. <br />City Administrator Miller indicated that she and the finance director are going through the <br />department budgets line item by line item and meeting with each department head. <br />Mr. Jahnke indicated he was concerned that the budget would be pushed late and before any <br />discussion could take place Council would be forced to approve it. <br />Council Member Quick asked someone to comment on the constraints that the state has put on <br />the City. <br />Mayor Sonterre noted that, due to aid to local government, the City maximized the levy as its <br />initial levy statement and that has the City going backwards $41,000 from the current year's <br />budget. He then commented that the City not only needs to be wary of where it is spending <br />dollars the City needs to go back $41,000 from the 2002 budget to hit the maximum dollar <br />amount allowed by the state. <br />Council Member Quick commented that anytime there is a zero increase in the budget you take <br />inflation from the year before and that is the amount that the budget has been diminished. He <br />• further commented that a 3% inflation means there is a 3% decrease in the budget. He also <br />commented that there were three positions removed from the budget. <br />Mr. Jahnke said he commended Council for being more fiscally accountable in the past year. <br />Council Member Stigney commented that the positions are in the budget even if they are not used <br />so there is still an increase. <br />Council Member Quick commented that any money left would go into the different funds but the <br />City is backing up a minimum of 3%. <br />Council Member Stigney said he disagreed because last year's budget had funds for three <br />positions so you still have the money from those three positions. He then said that he does not <br />feel that last year's budget was as fiscally responsible as it could be. <br />City Administrator Miller clarified that the positions that were not filled are not in the proposed <br />budget for next year. <br />Jerry Skelly of 7095 Knollwood Drive addressed Council and commented as to the cable <br />committee and his presence as cable commissioner from Mounds View. He then explained how <br />the committee has worked over the years and noted that he has always been answerable to the <br />City as he was appointed by the City Council. <br />• <br />