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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 8, 2011 Page 3 1 handle 49% more cases than its surrounding states; in addition, the Hennepin County court 2 wanted to know whether it was handling cases appropriately within its budget and it was 3 determined that Hennepin County is handling 100% more cases than other large urban courts, 4 e.g., Phoenix. She stated that the court is currently funded at 91% of need but the caseload 5 remains the same and there are several open positions currently on the bench. She expressed 6 concern that further budget cuts will result in a serious inability to get the work done and address 7 grievances properly within the court system. She discussed the prioritization of cases within the 8 court system and how low level civil matters may need to be put on temporary hiatus which is 9 unfortunate because the payable citations in these cases represent monies that come back to St. 10 Anthony and other communities. She expressed her appreciation to the Council for the 11 opportunity to discuss the court system. 12 13 B. Finance Department 2010 Annual Report. Roger Larson, Finance Director, presenting. 14 15 Finance Director Larson presented the Finance Department's 2010 annual report. The report 16 covered the following information: Overview of Finance Department, Long Range Financial 17 Planning, Total Operations 2010 Budget, General Operating Levy, General Fund Balance, Debt 18 Service, Infrastructure Projects Finalized in 2010, Financial Strength, Water Rates, Sanitary 19 Waste Disposal Costs, Grants, and 2011 Projects. 20 21 Finance Director Larson answered questions of the City Council regarding the accountant 22 position in the Finance Department and stated that 75% of her duties are related to liquor store 23 operations, including tracking of expenditures, and her salary is reimbursed 100% by the liquor 24 operations budget. 25 26 Councilmember Stille pointed out that the City has worked hard to maintain a 0% increase in the 27 general operating levy for the past three years and that some capital improvement projects have 28 been delayed and salaries were not increased. He indicated that the City has always tried to 29 serve its residents to the best of its ability at the most cost-effective price, and has never imposed 30 the maximum levy available. 31 32 Finance Director Larson agreed and added that some capital equipment purchases have also been 33 deferred. He stated that rising fuel costs will need to be addressed in 2011 as well. 34 35 Councilmember Roth requested further information regarding the City's debt service. 36 37 Finance Director Larson stated that the City carries approximately $35 million in debt, which 38 includes some Series 2006 and Series 2007 revenue bonds; those bonds are funded by tax 39 increment dollars and are not all the responsibility of the taxpayer. 40 41 Mayor Faust commended Finance Director Larson and the Finance Department staff for their 42 efforts. 43 44 C. Public Works 2010 Annual Report. Jav Hartman, Public Works Director, presenting. M 3