HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.28.2005•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 28, 2005
3:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Clark, Schmitt, Gunderson,
Welper.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
The purpose of the meeting was to review the FYE06 Budget.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reviewed the FYE06 Budget Estimate for the city
and supporting schedules. The Budget Estimate was published in the Courier on February 25,
2005. The published tax levy is $19.33488 with no increased staffing or new programs. This
rate would result in tax increases of 1.86 percent for residential properties, 3.67 percent for
commercial properties and 2.9 percent for industrial properties. General Fund expenditures must
be reduced by $1,438,456.00 in order to bring expenses in line with the levy limitations imposed
by state law and have a balanced general fund budget. The adopted budget summary page
reflects net expenditures exceeding revenues for several fund types. The general fund, which
includes the transactions of the General Fund and the Library Special Levy Fund, reflects net
expenditures in excess of revenues of $2,211,324.00. This includes the $1,438,456.00, the use of
$786,305.00 cash collected in prior years that was restricted for specific uses when received and
is now being spent for permitted uses, and the collection of an additional $13,437.00 in revenue
restricted for specific uses that is not anticipated to be spent in FYE06. The adopted budget
summary page reflects next expenditures exceeding revenue in the amount of $2,433,272.00 for
the capital projects funds category. The propriety fund category, which reflects the transactions
for the sewer and sanitation funds, reflects expenditures in excess of revenues. $315,000.00 of
this is attributable to the use of bond funds for plant improvements that were sold in prior years,
and $729,661.00 of the balance is due to expense requests exceeding anticipated revenue in the
sanitation fund. The special revenue fund category, which includes the transactions for the
employee benefit levy, the Tax Increment Financing Fund, the Local Option Tax Fund, the Road
Use Tax Fund, the Community Development Block Grant Fund, the Housing Fund, the
Reimbursable Projects Fund and the Airport Projects Fund, reflects that a total of $237,495.00
more revenue is anticipated to be received than spent in FYE06.
Mayor Hurley reviewed FYE2006 General Fund budget adjustments, which are his suggestions
to come up with the $1,438,456.00 reduction needed to meet the $8.10 levy. Mayor Hurley's
total identified cuts equals $1,446,122.00, which leaves a cushion of $12,666.00. Mayor
Hurley's suggestions included: giving non -bargaining employees a 2 percent salary increase
rather than 3.5 percent bargaining employees will receive, bonding for retirement payments,
releasing $17,500.00 from TIF to the general fund, dropping Mayor's Youth Initiative Program,
reducing KBBG funding by $4,000.00, not filling a mechanic position in Central Garage,
reducing contingency fund in the Clerk's budget by $15,000.00, not filling retiree positions in
the Police and Fire Departments, moving $100,000.00 from the Road Use Tax to fund Forestry
in the Leisure Services Department, adding a Plan Review Specialist position along with new
fees in the Building Department and adjustments in other departments.
The rental self -inspection program was discussed. The fees are currently $20.00 for the first unit
and $10.00 each additional unit. The self -inspection program was proposed at $35.00 for the
first unit and $15.00 each additional unit. It is anticipated the administrative costs will increase
because the inspections will be every three years instead of every five years. The Fire Chief will
get with the Chief Financial Officer to see where to set the fees in order to break even.
Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, reported that the new golf fees should increase the golf
revenue budget by about $100,000.00.
Councilperson Cole is opposed to giving department heads less raise than bargaining units
because she feels it sends a bad message.
Council Work Session
February 28, 2005
Page 2
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Mayor Hurley asked council members for input in the budget. Mayor Hurley commented that
the council makes policy for the city, and he wants to make sure the council feels they were part
of the decision making. Mayor Hurley stated that staff is available to answer questions from the
council. Additional budget work sessions will be scheduled before the March 10, 2005 budget
hearing.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk