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Councilmember Zimmerman stated he would be a little hesitant on charging the garbage haulers that flat fee as it may drive out the smaller companies. Mayor Gilbertson arrived (6:21 p.m.). Police Chief Auspos stated that the charge for Police repons is $15.00 but sometimes the repons are very large. He suggested working out a way to charge more for the larger reports. (The Committee suggested he work out a charge formula with Ms. Hart.) Councilmember Hardin stated, with regard to the fee for a Pawn Broker's License, that he felt the fee should not get to the point of discouraging business. He stated the charge the City is proposing is at a median rate; therefore, he felt it was reasonable. Mayor Gilbertson suggested to Chief Auspos that the City may wish to look at a moratorium to establish a limit on pawn shops. The Committee directed that Chief Auspos look into this and place it on a Finance Committee agenda for discussion. The Committee decided to table the decision on the fees for garbage haulers and discuss it at a Staff/Council meeting. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Hardin to recommend Council adopt the resolution approving the 1995 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges as presented, with the exception of the garbage haulers. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gilbertson, Councilmembers Zimmerman and Hardin. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmembers Beyer and Peterson. Case #4: Review Proposed 1995 General Fund Budget City Administrator Schroeder stated that when Staff talked about the budget, it was felt that a 4.5 percent increase in tax dollars was needed. City Council passed a 6.87 percent increase in case something happened - and it did. The remodeling cost of the Public Works metal building at 14100 Jaspar Street N.W. came in way more than estimated and it was not feasible to rent it out, plus the Police squads came in significantly higher. Therefore, one problem is a revenue we will not receive and the other is a larger than expected expense. He explained that Staff is saying we need $l,700 in order to balance the budget at a higher levy amount. He reported that Staff met today to discuss cuts to get to that number and even lower if City Council wanted to lower the levy. He stated that Staff took the net effect of the changes and added it to the Council contingency. He suggested if Council wants to reduce taxes to use the Council contingency to do that. He stated that a comfortable level of Council contingency was discussed but if Council wanted to reduce the tax dollar increase down to 4.5 percent, there would be $31,000 of contingency left. Thi~ Council has not been spending from the contingency to any great degree. Staff disseminated a list of items they suggested could be adjusted. Councilmember Hardin stated that Staff has left in the four squads and the two-and-one- half ton truck. The big items are still in the proposed budget, therefore, we are basically looking at "nickel and dime" items. Mr. Schroeder stated that some folks are a bit uncomfortable that there are not any "outs". At the September 12, 1994 meeting, Staff came to Council and said that we felt a 4.5 Finance Committee/November 22, 1994 Page 3 of 5