8.0. SR 08-25-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1998 Budget Worksession August 25, 1997 Page 4 growth related revenues for two reasons. One reason is that we are always concerned about meeting expenditures when these growth related revenues decline and the request for services is reduced, yet the city has staffed up to meet a higher demand level. The other reason for a conservative projection in this growth area is that revenues exceeding projections has been one of the main reasons that the city has been able to substantially increase its cash flow fund balance the past few years. EXPENDITURES The three most significant expenditure issues are: 1.) how the city can fund personal services increases (wage adjustments and new employees); 2.) the need to establish a long term source of revenues to fund the annual capital outlay program; and 3.) how to fund increased or new services and new programs. Personal Services - The personal services category in the general fund budget is proposed to increase by $300,950 to a total of $3,382,200. By way of comparison the personal services category increased by $342,250 in 1996, and is projected to increase by $303,150 in 1997. The reason for the increases is the cost of living adjustments, step increases for employees, and the hiring of new employees. The hiring of new employees is initially funded out of the city council contingency fund and then these expenses are moved to the departmental budgets. In 1997 these positions included the mechanic, 'two COPS FAST officers, the part time office service worker in building/zoning, changing the police part time office service worker to full time, and the addition of part time help in the street/park department. The funds for new employees (and the change in status of employees) begin in the city council contingency fund. Additionally, wage increases for non union employees are also in the city council contingency fund. This provides the Council with the maximum amount of flexibility for wage adjustments and in the timing of hiring new employees. Due to financial constraints on the general fund budget there are very few dollars available for new positions in 1998. Accordingly, the request for new positions is down slightly in recognition of the financial constraints we are facing. The following positions have been requested: Increasing the building/zoning office service worker hours. I am not recommending that this additional time be approved because I want to wait and see the impact of a third building inspector on this department. Additionally, more hours would mean a third clerical employee in this department as the part time help hired in 1997 was