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Administrator. The Director of Public Works — we probably covered that. The final one was the <br />Deputy City Clerk. To not replace that position is a cost savings and the opportunity for other <br />staff to increase hours and duties. However, we lose our backup to the City Clerk and her <br />duties, licensing, elections, etc. We have increased hours in the other positions to be able to help <br />out — and the web page, etc. can be backed up by other staff. He stated these are the proposed <br />staff reductions and added the tax rate of 1% equals about $150,000. He talked about what the <br />City Council wants to accomplish and what it will take to accomplish this. <br />Finance Director Lund gave the new County numbers with regard to the budget — they came in at <br />about 8 %. <br />Mayor Ramsey asked where that puts the City with regard to personnel costs. <br />Ms. Lund responded that she cannot give a direct number as it changes but at the last meeting it <br />was at about 54 %; however, we have had changes since then. <br />Mr. Ulrich talked about property valuations — how much we spend and how much we save. He <br />presented a graph indicating road reconstruction funding and a five -year phase out of <br />assessments. It would be about 1.5 million dollars per year. So it would have to be off -set by the <br />City — either with franchise fees on an increase of taxes, etc. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated he has never been a proponent to eliminate all assessments. It would be . <br />great but he feels it will never be able to happen. He is not interested in eliminating it <br />completely — maybe 25 percent — then we don't need $3 million. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated we are looking to hold on to the ability to bond — we have never <br />done that. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated we have never reconstructed our roads. He also talked about a 10 -year <br />phase out. <br />Discussion ensued relating to the level of road reconstruction and construction maintenance <br />funds for year 2013, and where does Council want to see that in five years. Level of assessments <br />were discussed as well as phasing them out. <br />Mr. Ulrich inquired of the Council what level of staffing they wish to see for 2013. He <br />mentioned the $450,000 reduction and asked if Council was comfortable with that or would they <br />like to see it increased — add some positions back in — keep it at the current level.. . <br />Councilmember Elvig stated in order to get your arms around this, you need to talk about <br />strategic goals. We maybe need to go through that again before we can make that decision. <br />Councilmember Strommen stated she feels strategic goals are important. She felt what would be <br />helpful would be to set some benchmarks from standards of service. What's the level we want to <br />see and the level the residents expect — then we can make a decision. What value are the <br />City Council Work Session / May 29, 2012 <br />Page 9 of 12 <br />