HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03/07/2016COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 7, 2016
4:15 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Jacobs, Jones, Schmitt, Lind, Morrissey, Welper, and Amos.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Schmitt that 'the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
FY2017 Budget Discussion
Mr. Lind thanked Fire Fighters for attending a town hall meeting he held with Mr. Schmitt on
Sunday.
Mr. Schmitt shared a letter from a resident regarding the budget.
`Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, presented proposed budget changes.
Mr. Amos questioned if the .21% increase is closest to what property valuations were at last
year.
Michelle Weidner explained that it is close to what a residential property paid in taxes last year if
they had the 2.88% valuation.
Mr. Schmitt questioned if option 7 is identical to option 1.
Michelle Weidner confirmed the tax rate in option 7 is identical option 1 but option 1 is not a
viable option as it only includes wage increases.
Mr. Lind questioned the net increase for option 7 and stated that the Grout Museum Levy needs
to be added to all the options.
Michelle Weidner explained why the Grout Museum Levy is not factored into the options.
Mr. Jacobs requested that copies of the handouts be provided to ,the audience.
.Mr. Morrissey explained that he believes option 7 is a work in progress and noted that citizens
voted for the Grout Museum Levy. He further explained that he disagrees with adding in the
Grout Museum Levy to the budget figures as they are misleading to what the city is responsible
to report on the levy rate.
Mr. Lind noted that several citizens have requested that the city tax asking be lowered to
accommodate the increase from the Grout Museum Levy.
Mayor Hart explained that, for now, leaving the Grout Museum Levy numbers out of the budget
figures is good way to see where the city is currently sitting.
Forest Dillavou, 1725 Huntington Road, criticized the budget process.
Mr. Jacobs expressed that the voters asked for the levy but`they also expect Waterloo to have a
levy rate that is competitive with other cities.
Mr. Morrissey explained that the city needs* services to attract businesses to Waterloo and that
cutting services would make Waterloo less attractive to businesses wanting to come to the city.
Mr. Jacobs noted that the services should not be cut but if the tax rate keeps cliinbing people will
move but of the city.
Jonny Garcia, 3662 W. 4th Street, why a new house near him on Sunnyside Golf Course is
receiving tax breaks.
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Mayor Hart explained tliat the CLURA/CURA program is intended to help jump-start houSing
development in Waterloo.
Mr.. SChmitt explained why the CLURA/CURAS program went into effect.
Mr. Lind explained that he believes the lot referred to by Mr. Garcia is valued at $200,000 and
the house is valued at approx. one million dollars.
SteVe Murphy, 124 Terrace Drive, commented on the levy rate.
Bruce Kaiser, 500 Sycamore Street, questioned who determines the assessed value of homes.
Mr. Lind questioned if Council will be picking a few budget options to move forward.
Mayor Hart laid out his plan for moving forward with the budget process.
Mr. Schmitt questioned when Council would have a new proposal from Mayor Hart.
Mayor Hart stated he would release a new proposal Wednesday morning.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Welper seconded by Schmitt that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:01 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Kelley Fele le
Deputy City Clerk
Sac