Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/27/2003 - Budget

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Cmmcihnember Strommen stated that Council wanted to know what the cuts were so they would know what the trade offs are. Councilmember Cook stated that we have already cut some - we do not feel we should take away staff or things that make it more difficult for staff to do their job. It makes more sense to impose this franchise fee - it does not make sense to nickel and dime each department so they are running too lem~ as in the long mn, that costs more. Mayor Gamec inquired if there is anything else anyone has thought of or are people basically satisfied with the budget as it stands. Fire Chief/Director of Public Works Kapler stated we have pulled about $100,000 of the City's portion out of street maintenance. We have looked at all the roads and we are coming into a couple of' "fat" years. For 2003 - $230,000, 2004 - $330,000, 2005 - $470,000 and 2006 - $60,000 - then it will be less. He talked about minimal risks - but felt the projects would be ~IIC. Councihncnaber Elvig asked about maintenance projects coming from the general fund and couldn't it come from the capital fund. Discussion ensued relating to assessing 100%. Councilmember Kurak wondered how many residents we have who front on a County Road. Councihnember Cook stated that we need to concentrate on revenues instead of cutting items fi'om the budget. Mr. Kapler stated we could play with the 50/50 percentage. He talked about MSA allotments, etc. We could ask for up to $166,000 - it's at $110,000 now. It's a balancing act keeping up maintenance and also building new roads. Discussion ensued about what roads needed to be built and which ones are being built. Mayor Gamcc stated what makes people think about the budget is police, fire, etc. They do not think about administrative type services. He did not feel we could take anything more away fi'om this budget. Councilmembcr Cook stated that what people see makes a difference. He added that we are hoping the Town Center brings us a tax base that would bring us out of the hole we are in. Lets give people what they are seeing right now - we need to bring in staffto do it. Mr. Norman stated that taking $88,600 and putting it in the contingency fund, then as each position comes in, bring it to City Council and ask to pull it out of the contingency fund. Councihnember Cook inquired why we don't put it all in the contingency funds. He added that it should be expected that the budget goes up every year. City Council Budget Work Session/October 27, 2003 Page 2 of 9