HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.21.2003COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 21, 2003
3:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Mayor Rooff updated council members on proposed legislative changes. Mayor Rooff reported
that proposed legislation could cost us $1.4 million in funding and drastically affect Waterloo.
Elimination of the state consolidated payment, which includes population, allocation, moneys
and credits and personal property tax replacement for a total cut of about $34.5 million for cities.
Elimination of the Bank Franchise Tax Allocation. Currently, this allocation is capped at about
$8.8 million of which 60 percent goes to cities with the remainder going to counties. Phase out
of the state replacement of M & E is accelerated, only $10,081,685 is appropriated for FY04 and
no appropriation after June 30, 2004.
Mayor Rooff reported that he spoke with Willard Jenkins who said there could be a bill to
expand the $8.10 levy, which would not help Waterloo. Mayor Rooff also spoke to
Representative Jenkins regarding the Riverfront project and expansion of the Center For The
Arts, and Representative Jenkins said there could be funds from Value Iowa. Mayor Rooff
reminded Representative Jenkins that this legislation could mean lay off of public safety staff.
Mayor Rooff stated that Governor Vilsack came out in support of this legislation over the
weekend.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reported that under the current state code, cities
cannot amend the budget certified on March 15, 2003 or go over the $8.10 levy. If the law does
not change, the city will not be able to amend our budget. If the legislators change the law, we
would need them to remove the cap from the $8.10 levy and council would have to be willing to
raise taxes. Ms. Weidner reported that the proposed legislation could cost Waterloo between
$1.4 and $1.5 million in revenue.
Mayor Rooff commented that Governor Vilsack has said that the state has had to cut positions
and now it is the cities turn, but we have already cut our staff.
Councilperson Jordan stated that people in the community are going to think that the mayor and
council did this, but we had nothing to do with it.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 3:57 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk