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M E M O R A N D U M <br />DATE: December 8, 2015 <br />TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />Mark Casey, City Manager <br />FROM: Shelly Rueckert, Finance Director <br />ITEM: GENERAL FUND BUDGET/LEVY <br />At the July 31st work session, the City Council and Staff reviewed the 2016 Preliminary Levy, <br />2016 General Fund Budget and 2016 Liquor operations. The 2016 Road Improvements and Debt <br />levy were reviewed at the June 29th 2015 work session. The 2016 Utility Fund Budgets/Rates <br />were reviewed at the November 2nd work session and were subject to a public hearing at the <br />November 10th City Council meeting. The 2016 -2032 Capital Improvement Budgets were <br />reviewed at the November 30th work session. Additionally, public meetings were held April <br />28nd, August 25th and September 8th for public input on the budget process. <br />Based on this process with the Council, Staff has presented 2016 levies totaling $6,050,812. <br />This represents a $219,075 increase which equates to a 3.76% percent increase compared to <br />2015 levies. <br />The parameters for preparing the General Fund Budget and Levy include: <br />City revenues budgeted using current run rates for sources that are subject to trends <br />and conservative baseline estimates for re-occurring aids and charges for services <br />Liquor transfer reduced to match current operating results <br />Expenses budgeted at amounts that will maintain present level of City services <br />Each year the General Fund revenue and expenditure budget line items are examined for <br />changes in expected collections/charges, labor adjustments, changes in contract rates, <br />insurance rates, utility costs, usage of various materials or needs, etc. The findings of this <br />examination produce the drivers associated with the proposed 1.93% increase in the General <br />Fund Levy - see below: <br />Personnel costs - 73% of General Fund expenditures*, overall costs up 2.92% <br />Union contract increases 2.5% <br />Health Insurance premiums up 11.5% <br />Union Longevity, Steps, shared HR, Workman’s compensation rates <br />3