08/15/94 Staff Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Hart s~ated we can certify the levy where we want it and reduce it later. Mr. Schroeder stated if we do not plan to increase it 10 percent, he would just as soon not put this in the paper. Couneilmember Beyer stated that people do not mind paying for services. We are next to the bottom in taxes and she added that she is not proud to be next to the bottom in taxes. Mr. Sehroeder stated he feels it's nice to say we are not a high taxing government. Councilmember Beyer stated she disagrees. We owe it to our residents to provide a good level of service. We are not doing them a good level of service by cutting things out of the budget year after year. Ms. Hart stated that the f'u'st cut list went out with no comments from anyone. In the next couple days you will be getting another memo regarding a balanced budget. I am asking for comments - I want input. We do not make final decisions - I invite Staff to comment on these. I anticipate there will be an additional staff meeting. We need response from staff- we want participation. We want involvement on all levels. Mr. Mevissen stated that Department Heads were a part of it. We were involved in the cutting. We didn't have to go in and bitch afterward. Ms. Hart stated this is what she is trying to do. She stated that she will also have in the memo that we need to have a 4 percent cut. You need to look at all departments. We have given everyone ample opportunity. We have made every effort to get people involved. People still say they didn't get to be involved. Councilmember Beyer stated maybe they feel they will not be listened to. I feel that no matter what my opinion is, it will not get listened to. Maybe others feel that way, too, so they don't bother saying anything. Ms. Hart stated that Council makes the final decision. Councilmember Beyer stated she "got blasted" again tonight when she suggested raising the taxes 10 percent and Staff said only 4.5 percent. Mr. Schroeder stated he is trying to present both sides. I have not heard from the Council what they want. Sergeant Oustafson stated if Council agreed to the levy ahead of time, it would help us with ranging our budget. Ms. Hart stated that part of the reason we do that is if Council wants to go up to 21 percent levy increase. We have this discussion so Council can make decisions rather than making a special meeting. Sergeant Oustafson stated that when Staff does not know what they are going to do you cannot even project until the City Council tells us. Ms. Hart stated we base our budget on what we think we need. When we levy this levy, we levy high - giving us some extra dollars. You can increase it without certain approval. We are suggesting a moderate increase. We are not suggesting levying higher. Staff Budget Meeting/August 15, 1994 Page 9 of 11