08/15/94 Staff Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Sergeant Gustafson stated that no one is prepared to give up anything. Police Chief Auspos stated that we are $150,000 off. ff we cut services below what we feel we really should - would Council than cut it even lower? He stated that him having his say gives him no satisfaction. He would like to see some action. Ms. Hart stated that she is not receiving any input. Chief Auspos felt he could not cut more out of his department. Ms. Hart stated that all the departments have to be looked at. Chief Auspos stated ifs hard to know what other departments need. My department, as it serves the City, is my #1 priority. Mr. Boos stated that he feels it's his duty to look at all aggregates of the City. He added that Ms. Hart has done a good job. Ms. Hart stated that the consensus of the Council last year was we would "bite the bullet" more this year. She added "we are still accommodating more requests". We will continue to see increases in tax dollars. She stated that there would be a larger increase because of the school plus property value increases. Councilmember Beyer stated that no one complained. Sergeant Gustafson stated he is not down on this process. Ms. Hart stated she and Mr.. Schroeder have made massive attempts to get everyone involved. She did not want to be considered the hatchet person. She asked for complaints also as she did not want any surprises. We are trying to keep people informed. She add that when she puts something in a memo asking for response, she doesn't care if it's positive or negative. Mr. Schroeder stated that Council has always reserved final additions and cuts for themselves but always asked for a list of suggestions and cuts, etc. We have done that this year with lists. Councilmember Hardin stated he didn't think every budget is a moving target - he suggested using best guesses. The comments he has been listening to in the last 15 minutes are the same in any business. There is never enough money to buy whatever you want. The discussion is healthy. Everyone needs to realize this is a moving target. I understand Sergeant Gustafson's comment. It would be nice to know but on the other hand I do not think Council could come up with any budget at all without this discussion. Sergeant (3ustafson stated he would not want to be the one to offer something prematurely but would we be doing what we profess we are doing for the residents when we said we would. We are growing and we need more. Councilmember Hardin asked what the residents would say if they were asked if they are overtaxed or undertaxed. Sergeant Gustafson stated they would say they are overtaxed. Staff Budget Meeting/August 15, 1994 Page 10 of 11