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accomplishing the work the Council wanted completed. He stated if Communications is over <br />budgeted, that effort could be scaled back. City Administrator Ulrich noted there are changes as <br />employee health benefits are coming in lower since more are opting out and one employee <br />resigned and will be replaced with a lower stepped position. Some savings will be accomplished <br />by those items and not necessarily cutting Strategic Initiatives. He stated he is concerned about <br />cutting $341,000 if it cuts into positions or programs. <br />Councilmember Riley noted there are many budgeted items and more can be considered than <br />those on the list under review tonight. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau stated staff is saying the Council has an opportunity to revisit this <br />and consider 44.28 %, getting close or better, so he would like staff to look at it that way and find <br />out if it can be .delivered. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated, as suggested by Councilmember Riley, staff can look at all of <br />the items within the $9 million budget and return with a recommendation. He noted Ramsey has <br />been through cost cutting measures for the past four to five years and already scaled back staff so <br />it is "thinner" than it has been and the Council still wants to accomplish some Strategic Plan <br />Initiatives. <br />Councilmember Kuzma asked if the tax statements were sent based on the 45% number. <br />Finance Director Lund stated that is correct. She noted the next meeting is December 10, 2013, <br />the date the levy is adopted. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that is correct but the budgeted items can be considered after <br />that date. <br />Mayor Strommen supported a Work Session discussion prior to the regular December 10, 2013, <br />Council meeting. She asked if the Council feels strongly about any item on the list under <br />discussion tonight. <br />Councilmember Riley asked about the IT Tech position and if that was an additional position. <br />Finance Director Lund stated it is an additional one -half time position to fulfill that job, which is <br />very busy. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau asked whether the Strategic Strategies would be eliminated or <br />pushed out to a future date. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated there are a number of Strategies and in his mind they would be <br />delayed and pushed out or there may be alternatives. <br />Mayor Strommen asked staff to include the impact to the Strategic Plan on the items <br />recommended to be cut. <br />City Council Work Session / November 26, 2013 <br />Page4of9 <br />