Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/28/2018

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Councilmember Riley stated that one of the increased expenses is health insurance. He noted that in the past when there was a decrease that was shared with employees and asked if the increase is also being shared with employees. Finance Director Lund stated that as proposed the ratio for the City and employee would be kept at 60/40. City Administrator Ulrich noted that element will be included in the upcoming contract negotiations. Councilmember Riley stated that the overall increase with all the positions included would be 8.43 percent and did not feel that is appropriate and therefore would not support that increase. He stated that the five-year budget is important because it shows the impact of hiring additional staff as positions that are hired in this year increase in cost each year. He stated that he does not like seeing perpetual staff increases each year and does not feel that is necessary. He stated that if the Council follows this that would equate to a 50 percent increase simply on staffing over the next five years and did not believe that to be sustainable. He appreciated the suggestion of using the PIR fund to help offset costs this year and could find his way to support levy option three. Finance Director Lund stated that the tax rate quoted was incorrect and the rate that would include all the positions would be 7.55 percent. She also provided clarification on the staffing cost, noting that the cost quoted by Councilmember Riley would be five years of cumulative staffing costs and not the cost of just year five. Acting Mayor LeTourneau asked for options around the second police officer and whether there is anything that could be offered to possibly stage that differently. Councilmember Kuzma asked if the 7.55 percent includes the second police officer and the use of the PIR fund. Finance Director Lund stated that the 7.55 percent would include all the options and no use of the PIR fund. She stated that option two would include all positions and the use of the PIR fund. City Administrator Ulrich stated that originally the second officer included the purchase of a squad car, but funds were obtained through a forfeiture that offset the cost of that vehicle. He noted that he and Police Chief Katers have discussed beginning that second officer in the second half or even the last quarter of 2019 but acknowledged that would still have an impact on the budgets for future years. Councilmember Kuzma stated that he feels strongly that the City needs to keep staffing levels up for the police department and would not want to short change that department as they already have difficult jobs. He asked Police Chief Katers for input. Police Chief Katers stated that he would like to grow with the growth of the City rather than attempting to play catch up, which would have an impact on the level of service provided. He City Council Work Session /August 28, 2018 Page 3 of 8