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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 8, 2000 • Page 8 1 budget figures with some objections being made as to the format. 2 It was discussed that the format for the proposed budget was the format that had been previously 3 discussed and requested. However, it was mentioned that the budget will vary from year to year, 4 and that Staff reviews and recommends appropriate increases or decreases as the needs exist. 5 Thuesen confirmed that Staff has come to the Council recommending a 7% levy increase, and he 6 trusted the Staff to request what they feel is necessary for the upcoming year. 7 Morrison reminded the Council that the figures can be adjusted per the Council's request, and 8 that the figures proposed were simply Staff s recommendations. 9 Horst inquired if additional expenditures were incurred for some reason, how those expenses 10 were covered under the 2001 budget. In other words, Horst would like to see some allowances 11 made in the budget for unanticipated expenditures. .12 Thuesen mentioned that he was comfortable,with,the levy proposed at 7% levy and to send a 13 clear message to the Staff where the Council is heading with the levy and budget process. 14 Cavanaugh stated that he felt it was more of a message to the community as opposed to the Staff. Motion by Horst to allow the meeting to continue past the deadline of 10:30 p.m. 16 Motion carried unanimously. 17 18 It was mentioned that the 7%proposed levy does not guarantee that taxes will go up that amount 19 because it depends on the tax base of the City. 20 Cavanaugh felt that the increase should be approximately 2.29%, but that Staff had proposed 21 7.2%. Sparks stated that it came down to the fact to trust City Staff about recommendations. 22 Horst stated that department heads and Staff should be able to determine the amount of funds 23 needed for the year. 24 Morrison mentioned that the strains and demands on City Staff are increasing each year, and said 25 that the levy is available to assist in meeting those demands. If the Council did not wish to 26 increase the levy by 7%,then direction needed to be given. Thuesen stated, however, that he 27 owes it to the community not to rubber stamp every item that comes before the Council, but in 28 this instance, he did not see any red flags that would cause him to have concern over the levy 29 increase. 30 31 Thuesen noted that he wanted to send the message that he would support the 7% increase and 32 gives his personal approval for City Staff to continue with the proposal. •