Agenda - Council - 11/23/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE APPROVAL OF 1994 WORK PLAN By: Ryan R. Schroefler, City Administrator Background: The City of Ramsey had. a 1990 Census population of 12,408. According to the Metropolitan Council, Ramsey's 1992 population was 13,269. Current Ramsey Staff estimates for 1994 are 15,465. We project our 1995 population at 16,494. This almost six percent per annum growth has provided some interesting challenges and opportunities. The City Council initiated a goal setting process in mid-1991 at the Staff level, with the fa-st draft of our 1992 Staff Goals presented on October 8, 1991. Public meetings of the Council were held between November 1991 and January 1992 which resulted in the publishing of our 1992 Goals on February 24, 1992. The 1993 goal setting process was initiated shortly thereafter with the fa'st meeting at the Council table on July 21, 1992. The goal setting process for 1993 was expanded from the earlier program by an addition of a mission statement, primary objectives, 1998 program targets, residential development forecasting, a capital improvements program, a five year staffing and training program, and an update of the 1992 Goals. These additions prolonged the process significantly. Staff completed the 1993 goal setting process on March 15, 1993 and City Council held their final work session on the 1993 work plan on May 4, 1993. Upon completion of the aforementioned process, Staff immediately initiated planning for 1994 and beyond. Staff work sessions on this process were held on July 15, 16 and 19, 1993. Council received the proposed work plan on July 30, 1993. The work plan for 1994 has again been improved from the prior two years by inclusion of a Five Year Operational Plan for Public Works, Parks and Utilities, Police and Fire. We have also updated the 1992 and 1993 Work Plan as well as the Five Year Staf£mg and Training Programs. Further, the Capital Improvements Program now contains an improved revenue forecasting facet and has been expanded to include projections through the year 2000. Forecasting future revenues and areas of expenditures has provided Ramsey with several benefits. The most readily apparent has been the October 1993 upgrade in the bond rating from A to Al. A principle cited reason were our f'mancial policies including forecasting. Another benefit has been our ability to program projects and specific revenue sources six years into the furore. Even so, we find ourselves reacting to the issue of the day even as we plan for the future. As 1993 concludes, we will see seventeen new subdivisions platted this year, recording of three more and four industrial/commercial site plan approvals. We provided plan preparation staking and inspection for five improvement projects, one of which was not programmed. We provided for a myriad of operational changes created through Federal or State mandates, citizen request, staffing opportunities or Council direction. As a rapidly growing community, Ramsey begins to deliver services to the incoming residences and business up to three years prior to receiving revenue from resulting increased tax base. However, while the demands for services exist, our governmental expenditures are among the lowest in the area on a per capita basis. So also is Ramsey's staffing level We will continue to expand and improve our planning efforts. Work on the 1995 budget began on October 26, 1993, with notice to Staff of plan review beginning January 18, 1994. From that date, pubhc involvement in our budget process will be actively encourage&