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Mayor LeTourneau appreciated the comment but stated that still leaves the discussion of what <br /> will be done now and the recommendation that will be made. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked if the budgets are created using the adopted 2018 figures or <br /> whether the budget begins at zero and builds from that point. <br /> Finance Director Lund explained that the purpose of showing the prior years of budgeting and <br /> how that information is used by each department to build their proposed budget for the next year, <br /> which also anticipates future needs. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked if the department heads have reviewed this more in depth to <br /> find savings that could equalize the additional staff positions that are being requested. <br /> Finance Director Lund explained that during the budget discussions there were different options <br /> for personnel reviewed. She stated that there were costs savings found to help offset some of the <br /> positions requested to be added. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau stated that he would like to know if the City is a continuous improvement <br /> organization, which continually reviews actions to determine if improvements could be made. <br /> Finance Director Lund reported that monthly reports are created, and those reports are used to <br /> justify the budgets that are then created each year and plan for future expenditures. She noted <br /> that some line items cannot be planned for, such as the amount of salt needed as that is weather <br /> dependent and will fluctuate from year to year. <br /> Councilmember Riley stated that if he were to make a counter proposal, he would take the one <br /> position for police, one for fire, and the part-time parks position to add and would drop the other <br /> three positions. He stated that he would then ask staff to reduce the budget by $47,000. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau stated that the City is a service organization and by having these positions <br /> proposed in place, that will help to maintain the level of service that is expected by residents. He <br /> stated that he would welcome input from staff on the impacts to service that would occur if those <br /> three positions were removed from the budget. <br /> Administrator Services Director Lasher acknowledged the comment that was made by <br /> Councilmember Shryock in regard to taking care of the existing staff. She stated that there are a <br /> number of ways in which an organization takes care of staff and she is concerned that if these <br /> positions are not approved, the Council runs the risk of burning out the existing staff members. <br /> She used the example of City Engineer Westby. She stated that the part-time assistant is <br /> currently working full-time and even then, that department runs tight and she is concerned with <br /> the work/life balance of City Engineer Westby. She stated that when there is a call and no back <br /> up available, Fire Chief Kohner has to respond and therefore she is concerned with burning him <br /> out. She stated that Public Works Superintendent Riemer often has to get out in a plow truck and <br /> handle other duties that he-should not be handling and therefore she has a concern that he is <br /> being burned out and not able to address other duties. <br /> City Council Work Session /November 27, 2018 <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br />