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2.02: Discussion and Review of 2017 Proposed General/EDA Budgets and Levies <br />Finance Director Lund reviewed the staff report. <br />Councilmember Riley asked for additional information on the rates proposed for the County and <br />School District. <br />Finance Director Lund provided additional explanation noting that the tax valuations have <br />increased which then have caused a decrease in those rates. <br />Councilmember Riley asked why then the City would not also follow that model to reduce the <br />rate. <br />Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that while that seems like a fair question, the policy of the City <br />is not to make budget decisions based on the rates the County or School District certify but <br />instead to make budget decisions based on what is best and needed for the City. <br />Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that a majority of the unknowns have been determined and <br />there are only two items left that could waiver a bit. He asked for direction for staff on the path <br />the Council would like to take moving forward. <br />Councilmember Shryock asked if the open enrollment has begun for staff. <br />Human Resources Manager Lasher stated that open enrollment begins on November 15th and <br />runs approximately three weeks. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he supports the current proposed budget. <br />Councilmember Riley suggested that the budget be lowered. <br />Councilmember Williams stated that the Council was in a similar position the previous year, <br />noting that there was a list of items that were provided that showed how further reductions could <br />impact reaching goals on the strategic plan. She recognized that there has been a significant <br />amount of work put into the budget and therefore would support the budget as proposed if that is <br />what would be needed to achieve the goals in the strategic plan. She stated that she would like to <br />see how further cuts could impact the job the City does. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that it was recently stated that Anoka County is in the top seven <br />for drug use and therefore would not be willing to eliminate the Drug Task Force position. <br />Councilmember Williams stated that MnDOT has stated that they will not look at the Highway <br />47 corridor and asked if that item should be removed from the 2017 budget. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that staff could investigate the study budget that includes that <br />corridor. <br />City Council Work Session / November 7, 2016 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />