Minutes - Council Work Session - 11/10/2015

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Mayor Strommen agreed that she would like additional details on that proposed position, noting that there is more to the image of the Highway 10 corridor than simply just code enforcement. She stated that the question could be is there more than can be done to reach the goal for the corridor outside of code enforcement. She recognized that perhaps the Strategic Plan is too aggressive and some items may not be as high of a priority as others. City Administrator Ulrich described the duties that would be proposed for the code enforcement position including property management. Mayor Strommen referenced the street maintenance position, noting that more work is being done on maintenance and reconstruction, and therefore that position is higher on the priority list in her eyes. Councilmember Riley agreed that all of those items are priorities. He stated that the City has a competent staff and he feels that his job is to identify a correct amount to spend and not go through the proposed budget with a red pen. Finance Director Lund stated that out of the proposed budget increases, $240,000 is debt service and the remainder is personnel and line items within the budget. She stated that the decision would come down to the three positions as the remainder would be smaller line items. Councilmember Kuzma asked the difference in the budget and levy if the three positions were cut from the proposal. Finance Director Lund stated that the costs associated with the drug task force position would be $77,935, the costs associated with the code enforcement position would be $73,897, noting that if the position were eliminated the intern position would be added back in which would be approximately $18,000, and the costs associated with the public works position would be $49,039 for a total of slightly over $199,000 which is about a one percent difference to the tax capacity rate. Councilmember Kuzma stated that in terms of the services that will be provided to the community, a one percent savings would not amount to that much and therefore would support the positions. Councilmember Shryock stated that the residents that she spoke with wanted to know the bottom line of what the levy will be to their taxes and the services that will be provided in return. She stated that the drug enforcement officer or street maintenance would provide a faster and more visible return but the code enforcement position would also provide a benefit. She stated that a one percent cut is not that much of a difference for the services that will be provided in return. Councilmember Riley stated that the one percent is in regard to the tax capacity rate, which he felt is a made up number, and is not a direct relation to the budget or tax rate. Councilmember Shryock asked for information specifically in regard to the impact that the change would have to the residents' taxes. City Council Work Session / November 10, 2015 Page 3 of 7