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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.14.2001• • March 14, 2001 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Special Session at City Hall Council Chambers, Waterloo, Iowa, at 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 14, 2001. Mayor John R. Rooff in the Chair. Roll Call: Jordan, Krizek, Gronen, Getty, Berry. Absent: Anders, Murphy. 114919 - Jordan/Getty that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Special Session on Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at 9:00 a.m., be accepted and approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Anders, Murphy. Motion carried. 114920 - Jordan/Gronen at copies of the Call for the Special Session on Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at 9:00 a.m. be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Anders, Murphy. Motion carried. 114921 - Mayor Rooff stated that on March 13, 2001, he vetoed the resolution adopted by the city council on Monday, March 12, 2001, which increased tax askings 15 percent. Mayor Rooff stated that he has met with council members and everyone wants the same thing, to serve the community. Mayor Rooff reported that he met with Dave Nagle who has offered his service, and the city is getting a broad spectrum of input on the budget. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reported that in addition to Mayor Rooff's recommended levy of $17.46 per one thousand dollars of assessed value, or 5.90 percent increase in tax askings, there is on the table a proposed levy of $17.80 per one thousand dollars of assessed value, or 7.93 percent increase in tax askings. Ms. Weidner stated that the city met with the Waterloo School District who are willing to increase their contribution to the DARE Program, and other savings have reduced the Police Department budget $175,000.00. The Fire Department budget was lowered $60,000.00, the Mayor's Youth Initiative Program was reduced $100,000.00, Pathways funding was eliminated, and using the council's discretionary hotel/motel funds for funding of the Community Band. Ms. Weidner stated that Option 1 would reduce several departments the equivalent of one position. With Option 2 existing vacancies would not be filled in any departments, including public safety. Ms. Weidner reported that with the $17.80 levy the city would not fill any vacancies and current employees would keep their positions. Mayor Rooff stated that either option would work, and that if the city freezes positions, $500,000.00 would be freed up to work on Public Safety, Library, Cultural & Arts and other budgets. Councilperson Gronen stated that he is concerned that the city is cutting the budget too tight. If there was an emergency, such as a flood, tornado or a major fire, there would not be any extra funds. Councilperson Getty stated that since Monday night he has received a lot of telephone calls. Mayor Rooff's veto of the 15 percent increase approved by the council leaves the city council handcuffed. Councilperson Getty stated he would love to override Mayor Rooff's veto, but the State Code requires five votes of the council to override a veto, and the council does not have five yes votes. Councilperson Getty stated that yesterday the council worked with Mayor Rooff to come up with something everyone could live with. It was agreed to increase the tax asking 9.6 to 9.8 percent. Councilperson Getty stated that Mayor Rooff and others worked on the figures and keep coming up with different scenarios that don't change anything. We are still in trouble. Councilperson Getty stated he is not happy, but the council's hands are tied because Mayor Rooff can veto every levy the council approves because the council does not have five votes to override the mayor. Councilperson Getty stated that it is unfortunate that it took this long to get the budget together. Two council members are on spring break with vacations that were already planned. Councilperson Getty stated he wanted people to know that he is concerned about layoffs, and he is not in favor of laying anyone off. Councilperson Getty stated that the mayor says the city can come up with budget programs with the hiring freeze and no one would be laid off. Councilperson Getty stated he wished it could be higher, but the council's hands are tied. March 14, 2001 Page 2 Councilperson Berry stated she agrees with Councilperson Getty. Councilperson Berry stated she is very uncomfortable with the proposed budget, but it looks like this is all the council can do. Councilperson Berry stated it is her understanding that we can look at other areas to restore programs that would be cut or eliminated. Councilperson Berry stated if they had five votes to override the mayor's veto she would want the tax asking increased by 15 percent. Councilperson Krizek stated that she has had several telephone calls. Councilperson Krizek stated that the majority of people in her ward are elderly, and they don't want to raise taxes, but they also don't want to cut services. Councilperson Krizek stated it is a balance act not to put the burden on the citizens but to maintain services. Councilperson Krizek stated she agrees that the tax askings should be higher than proposed by Mayor Rooff. Councilperson Krizek stated the citizens need to realize some services might not be forthcoming. When she is asked why some of the services are not available, she will say it was because we did not raise taxes. Councilperson Jordan stated he applauds Mayor Rooff's veto of the 15 percent increase in taxes approved by the council on Monday night. Councilperson Jordan stated in 1993 the council ran on the promise that they would not raise taxes, and he does not want to let it all go down the drain. Councilperson Jordan stated that he feels the easy way out is to raise taxes, and that city government should be run as a business. Councilperson Jordan stated that Mayor Rooff has assured him the budget can be worked out. Councilperson Jordan stated he supports the 5.9 percent increase in tax askings. Mayor Rooff stated that no one can say this city council is a rubber stamp council. The council knows what services are required. Mayor Rooff stated that he has had eight or nine people come into his office to help with the budget, and that the majority of people are here to help make government run smoothly. Mayor Rooff stated he does not want to raise taxes. Mayor Rooff stated that the council members are good people, and they will do what is right. Jordan that "Resolution approving F.Y. 2002 Budget with a tax levy rate of $17.46 per one thousand dollars of valuation, a 5.90 percent increase", be approved. Motion died for lack of a second. Getty/Gronen that "Resolution approving F.Y. 2002 Budget with a tax levy rate of $17.80 per one thousand dollars of valuation", be adopted. Ayes: Four. Nays: Jordan. Absent: Anders, Murphy. Resolution adopted and upon approval by Mayor assigned No. 2001-95. ADJOURNMENT 114922 - Jordan/Getty that the Council adjourn at 9:35 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Anders, Murphy. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk