HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.22.2003COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 22, 2003
8:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Notes from the Town Meetings were distributed to council members. Mayor Rooff asked
council members to review the list of suggestions from the citizens and add any ideas they have
to help with the budget. The Iowa legislators reconvene on May 29, 2003. Mayor Rooff will
work with staff to review the suggestions and make recommendations.
Mayor Rooff reported that the TIF may still be on the table. A property tax implementation
committee will be created by Governor Vilsack. The legislators are looking at taxation based on
square footage. It has been suggested to allow cities to charge a fee for police and fire services
provided to organizations, such as churches and hospitals. The rollback figure, a $1.25 million
shortfall in revenue and built-in expenses are items that could hurt the city's FYE2003 Budget.
Mayor Rooff stated that the legislators are looking at allowing the homestead credit, with the
state reimbursing cities a certain amount of the homestead credit and cities will have to make up
the difference.
Councilperson Clark asked if the city could use the solid waste funds. Mayor Rooff responded
that the city could use those funds, but there are a lot of proposed projects that could come before
the council, including Vision Iowa and TechWork.
Councilperson Hurley suggested that the city look at the local option sales tax and perhaps
allocated a percentage of those fees for property tax relief.
Councilperson Greenwood asked if we know the total square footage for the city. Mayor Rooff
will have staff do calculation of square footage before the next meeting.
The council will meet on June 2 after the regular council meeting to further discuss these issues,
and then Thursday morning following the agenda meeting.
Councilperson Hurley stated that there have been a lot of high dollar travel requests, a rush to fill
vacant positions and we have been buying a lot of computer equipment. Mayor Rooff noted the
computer equipment is purchased through the CIP, and that some of the travel requests come
from sources other than the General Fund, such as Road Use Tax, and if we cut travel we will
need to look at departments funded with sources other than the General Fund to make it even.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 8:59 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk