HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.07.25 CC Minutes - Preliminary Budget Workshop Minutes
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HUGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PRELIMINARY BUDGET WORKSHOP
EST.1906 HUGO CITY HALL
MONDAY,DULY 25, 2022—5 P.M.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Klein, Petryk, Strub,Weidt
COUNCIL ABSENT: Miron
OTHERS PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, Finance Director Anna Wobse, Fire Chief
Jim Compton, Jr., Deputy Fire Chief Dave Jensen, Public Works Director Scott Anderson
City Administrator Bryan Bear highlighted the topics to be discussed at the workshop which
included Public Works staffing restructure, Fire Department staffing needs, City Hall staffing
needs, American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) funds, and the flat tax rate policy.
Public Works Director Scott Anderson shared with the Council a proposal to restructure the
Public Works department into divisions. An organizational chart was displayed that showed a
new superintendent position along with the creation of a streets,parks and utilities lead worker
positions. Anderson shared the benefits of restructuring included providing better service to the
community because lead workers would be able to provide better direction to their crews in the
field, department goals would be established and achieved, and it would also help with employee
retention. Anderson noted that these changes were already accounted for in the 2022 budget.
Council questioned how the remaining workers would be assigned under the leads and how tasks
would be assigned under the proposed model. Council asked that Anderson revamp the
organizational chart to show that the superintendent position has supervisor authority over the
lead workers and workers and bring the revised chart back to Council for further discussion.
Next, Bear began discussion on the hiring of a full-time fire chief by providing statistics on last
year's call volume and types of calls. Call volume does not have a high impact on the chief,
whose main duty is to manage the department,which involves taking care of staff, equipment,
training, fleet, along with other duties that take time and effort. Bear provided options for
running a fire department ranging from doing less than the department is doing now, doing the
same, doing more, to hiring a full-time department. Bear asked that Council focus tonight's
discussion specifically on the need for a full-time chief position. Council questioned the current
workload of the chief. Fire Chief Jim Compton, Jr. shared that he felt there was more than
enough work to keep a full-time chief busy with the current services offered by the department.
The City was continuing to grow, and the Fire Department wants to continue to provide good +
service to the community. Council felt it was important to retain some of the currently budgeted }4
part-time positions to help maintain leadership and ownership within the Department. Council
directed the Fire Chief to create a list of tasks currently being completed by the Chief and a list
of tasks currently not being completed because of time constraints. They asked that information
be included to how completing those tasks would benefit residents. The list should be brought
back to Council for further discussion.
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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for July 25,2022—Preliminary Budget Workshop
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Bear shared with the Council that there was a possible need for an additional staff position at
City Hall. There was a need for a person to handle room rental scheduling and the
communication needs of the City. In addition, the City Clerk could use help with elections.
Council was in support of adding an additional staff member at City Hall to handle those duties.
Finance Director Anna Wobse presented on the $1.6 million in ARPA funds the City received.
New Treasury guidance released in January 2022, offered a standard allowance option that
would allow the City to use the total amount of the ARPA funds for general government
services. The Council had until December 31, 2024 to spend the funds. Bear shared a list of
possible projects with the Council. Council indicated they were not ready to make a decision
and acknowledged further discussions needed to take place.
Finally, Wobse discussed the flat tax rate policy with the Council. Washington County was
estimating that a residential homestead in Hugo would see an average market value increase of
21% for Pay 2023. Under the flat tax rate policy, a large value increase like that would result in
increased tax collections for the City,but also an increased tax bill for the residents. Wobse
shared two sceneries with the Council: one following the flat tax rate policy and one deviating
from the policy for one year and returning to the lower Pay 2019 tax rate, before the tax rate was
increased to cover the City's additional debt service needs. Council questioned the future effects
of deviating from the policy. Council directed staff to prepare the 2023 budget deviating from
the flat tax rate policy and lowering the tax rate.
Weidt made motion, Klein seconded,to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
JAW,
Anna Wobse
Finance Director
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