Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/08/2015

Home

Councilmember Kuzma stated that prior to this Council, the previous Council had cut the budget to the bone and these budgets the past few years are attempting to regain some of the services that had been cut in the past. Councilmember Riley referenced past debt levy rates and stated that there have not been cuts even in the lean years. Mayor Strommen stated that there have been cuts in services to maintain the budget levy as the cost to provide services increases. She stated that there are normal cost increases over time in addition to the rate of growth. She noted that the road issue is not a linear item as the City has a bubble of roads that need a large amount of maintenance and the City is attempting to level that cost out as much as possible. She stated that item cannot be pushed down the road because that is how the City got into this situation in the first place. She stated that there would have to be some increase in order to account for the road improvements that are needed. She noted that public safety is a huge priority that she has and believes that it is problematic if the City continues to not be proactive in those areas. Councilmember Kuzma stated that this year the proposed increase is mostly labor and noted that during the past few years there have been contract negotiations. He noted that if labor costs could be held down to what they had been three years ago, that would be a reduction in the budget, but acknowledged that cannot be done. Mayor Strommen stated that the staff and road costs will continue. She stated that every position proposed to be added is justified and questioned if all existing staff positions are being used in the best manner possible. She stated that staff has been doing that in some cases when vacant positions come forward and staff amends that job to cover the most amount of services needed at that time. Councilmember Shryock stated that everyone has made great points and appreciated the comments of Mayor Strommen. She noted that the City is at the point where there will be increases in taxes to stay on top of maintenance and other items. She stated that perhaps staff can look at some items that are not necessary at this time, such as the survey or modifying the newsletter to be as efficient as possible. She stated that while no one wants their taxes to go up, the reality is that there is a need to increase. She asked that staff be mindful of the little extras that add up. Mayor Strommen appreciated the comments of Councilmembers Williams and Riley but did not know how to make cuts and still maintain and improve the roads. Councilmember Riley noted that there is $600,000 proposed for increases outside of the road costs where cuts could be made. He stated that perhaps some of the recent hiring decisions should have been held off until the budget discussion. Councilmember Johns stated that labor will always be the biggest bucket in the budget because staff provides services to the residents. City Council Work Session / September 8, 2015 Page 3 of 7