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MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP <br />MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009 <br />7:00 PM <br />Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. <br />Present: Haas, Klein Petryk, Weidt, Miron <br />Also Present: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Finance Director Ron Otkin, <br />Community Development Director Bryan Bear, Public Works Director Scott Anderson, <br />Accounting Clerk Anna Wobse, and Fire Chief Jim Compton <br />Finance Director Ron Otkin provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Hugo City <br />Council highlighting a number of budget related issues. He noted that building permits <br />are ahead of projections with 68 permits issued through July of this year. Reductions in <br />health insurance, telephone system, and cell phone costs, have been achieved through <br />cost-conscious efforts of staff. Ron presented a 2010 budget with the same tax capacity <br />rate as in 2009, reflecting six consecutive years of reductions in the City's tax capacity <br />rate. He has reduced expenditures by $600,000 in order to present a balanced budget, this <br />includes no cost of living adjustment (COLA). Council discussed whether or not to levy <br />back the unalloted Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) as provided by the State <br />Legislature in a one time only opportunity. <br />Northeast YMCA Remodeling Project Funding Request of $56,250 <br />Northeast YMCA Interim Director Shane Hoefer addressed that Council to formally <br />solicit support for the project which included a number of incentives for the City if it <br />contributed a one-time donation of $56,000. Council listened to residents Lori Sittler and <br />Phil Watkins, who supported the project, and Katie Riopel who did not. <br />Washington County 4-H Funding Request for $4,350 <br />Mayor Fran Miron began the discussion on the possible 4-H funding from the request <br />presented July 20, 2009 by the 4-H Agricultural President Dan Dolan and Washington <br />County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg. Council Members agreed that social service <br />funding is another level of government but agreed that a one-time only donation would be <br />considered. They encouraged staff to work with the 4-H Program and solicit charitable <br />gambling proceeds from the pull tab operations in the City. <br />Council Discussion <br />Council discussed with Fire Chief Jim Compton the need to consider funding a full-time <br />fire chief or fire marshal. There are a number of demands that have increased the job <br />duties of a part-time fire chief. Finance Director Ron Otkin did not include funding for <br />