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Councilmember Riley stated that he would like to rely on department heads to identify areas <br />where cuts could be made. <br />Councilmember Shryock noted that if each department were able to identify a small item that <br />could be modified or cut, that could provide the cost savings. <br />Councilmember Williams stated that she would like to see the Council take an ownership role, as <br />asking staff to make cuts puts staff in a position to prioritize in a way that may or may not help <br />reach the goals the Council would like to achieve on the strategic plan. <br />Councilmember Shryock stated that the Council could then review the list provided by the <br />department heads to ensure that the prioritization is in line with the Council's desires. <br />Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that the Council has asked the staff to do the work they needed <br />to do and has given very broad direction in how they would like to see this move forward. He <br />stated that staff has done that and agreed that this is now the responsibility of the Council. He <br />believed that the Council should take ownership at this point and would want to see staff manage <br />a task rather than a larger concept if the Council would like further work to be done. He stated <br />that if the Council wants staff to make further adjustments they should provide specific direction <br />to staff rather than simply asking staff to make cuts that the Council may or may not like. <br />Councilmember Johns stated that she would support the budget as proposed. She stated that the <br />majority of increases are tied to personnel that cannot be cut. <br />Councilmember Shryock stated that she liked the idea of looking at certain projects, like the <br />Highway 47 corridor, that are not able to move forward. She asked why the website redesign is <br />being done. <br />Councilmember Johns stated that the website is holding the City back and is outdated and not <br />mobile friendly. <br />Councilmember Shryock stated that it appears there is nowhere to make cuts in the budget. <br />Councilmember Riley stated that this is an $11,000,000 budget and therefore he would support <br />looking for areas of the budget to make cuts. <br />Councilmember Williams stated that the website design is necessary. She stated that she is <br />willing to take ownership of the direction she provides to staff. She stated that making small cuts <br />of a few hundred dollars here and there is not beneficial. She referenced the Drug Task Force <br />position and noted that there is not proof that the City will be hurt by not having that position. <br />She stated that while she would like to keep the EDA budget as proposed, there could also be <br />cost savings received by continuing to stay with the broker. <br />City Council Work Session / November 7, 2016 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />