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but result in a lower increase in the tax levy. He noted if debt is issued, the City can gradually <br />get into the debt load. <br />Finance Director Lund stated 2022 is the last year of the second bond. She explained the big <br />item still out there is the Community Center. She stated it was anticipated that, at some point, <br />debt would not to be issued because funds would be coming in from land sales to cover those <br />costs. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Backous stated the franchise fee would have been a stopgap to fund road <br />projects while chipping away at expenses. Now the City is looking at bonding but he sees that <br />option as being lower in future years. Mayor Pro Tem Backous felt the proposed budget was <br />going in the wrong direction with extra things included. He preferred a goal to reduce the tax <br />capacity rate in 2015 because property values are going up. Mayor Pro Tem Backous noted that <br />as the City continues to develop, its tax base and tax receipts will increase. He hopes future <br />Councils will continue to chip away at the budget so the bonding amount can be lowered each <br />year and road expenses can eventually be included in the levy. Mayor Pro Tem Backous asked <br />the Councilmembers to review the proposed budget, line by line, to prepare for a future <br />discussion. <br />City Administrator Ulrich asked the Council to provide input on a target tax capacity or levy and <br />whether or not there was support to bond for streets and if so, at what level. He stated staff will <br />refine the budget numbers and revenue picture as well as staffing priorities. <br />Councilmember LeTourneau stated there are a lot of expectations and items in the Strategic Plan <br />but he wants to assure there is not spending for the sake of spending. Rather, the City should <br />spend prudently to create the Council's vision for the community. Councilmember LeTourneau <br />stated he is not interested in cutting or raising the budget, but wants to assure the City is taking <br />advantage of all revenue sources possible while not abandoning the work of the Council to <br />develop a vision of the City. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Backous noted there is more than one way to meet the goals of the Strategic <br />Plan. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated the City's roads are currently in tough shape and need to be <br />addressed. He did not support cutting back on roads and would favor getting more information <br />on the option to bond for that expense. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated the City is trying to fit a budget into a Strategic Plan, which he <br />thinks is unattainable. He stated his belief that the $40,000 Strategic Plan included staff's wishes <br />and when he looks at this budget, he thinks staff relies on the Council having a short-term <br />memory. He stated staff recommended hiring a Police Officer to cut down on overtime <br />expenses, yet there has been a reduction of only $1,000 in overtime costs. Councilmember <br />Tossey preferred that if a staff person is needed, it be plainly stated and overtime not used as an <br />excuse. <br />City Council Work Session / July 8, 2014 <br />Page 5 of 10 <br />