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City Administrator Ulrich stated that staff would like direction from the Council in regard to any <br />additional information they may like prior to the final adoption of the budget and levy on <br />December 8fi'. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that there has been some discussion regarding the staff positions and <br />whether the Council is ready to move forward on those. She stated that if there is hesitancy <br />towards that she would like the Council to speak now so that appropriate planning can occur. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he is an advocate of being strong on crime and referenced the <br />drug task force position proposed for the police department. He asked how the City would be <br />benefited if the position is added. <br />Police Chief Katers stated that it is his opinion that the position is needed for the City. He stated <br />that while the department is responding to incidental calls for contact they are not following to <br />the source. He stated that this position will allow the department to follow the path to the source <br />rather than just dealing with the end user. He explained that the investigations are labor <br />intensive and by joining the task force the department will be able to leverage the expertise and <br />assistance of the task force. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he will support this position. <br />Councilmember Riley provided a handout that compared the value of homes to the City budget. <br />He believed that it is a mistake that the spending of the City is increasing above the level of <br />revenue received. He stated that although the problem may not be big this year, there will be an <br />impact in the coming years because of the added debt that will come into effect. He stated that <br />taxes were raised quite a lot the previous year and are proposed to be raised similarly this year, <br />which in essence would commit the City in the following years to the increases as well. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that in her opinion the match is not one to one in regard to the City's <br />revenue and spending. She explained that strategic investments need to occur in order to <br />maintain a level of service and safety. She agreed with the statement that personnel additions <br />will impact not only this year but future years because of the debt structure. She stated that these <br />are valid additions but believed that priorities need to be identified in order to determine the <br />choices that are most strategic and delay the other additions. She agreed that she would like to <br />invest in the drug task force officer as that is an issue that continues to emerge and grow and a <br />proactive nature would be most appropriate. She referenced the code enforcement position and <br />stated that perhaps that is not something that is quite as planned out and strategic. <br />Councilmember Kuzma referenced the code enforcement position and asked if outside help <br />could be gained if staff were to be overloaded. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that some of that work could be completed through contract, but <br />noted that a premium is paid for outsourcing. He stated that staff could provide further <br />information on the costs for outsourcing and the services that would be provided compared to the <br />addition of a full-time position. <br />City Council Work Session / November 10, 2015 <br />Page 2 of 7 <br />