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City Council Minutes Page 5 <br />September 6, 2011 <br />seriously at what staff is asking from them in order to make the city more efficient for the <br />community even if it raises taxes. <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated he disagrees with using landfill host fee funds to balance <br />the general fund because the host fee funds will end. He stated the city needs to deal with <br />budget issues now and not leave it for a future Council. <br />Mr. Simon reviewed the General Fund gap before adjustments for the scenarios outlined in <br />the staff report. <br />Council consensus was to certify the maximum levy the same as last year. <br />Mr. Thistle clarified that the cuts referred to in the Mayor's handout are to be reviewed <br />before December. <br />Mr. Simon stated that the Environmental Administrator has proposed reducing Project <br />Conserve from $10,000 to $5,000 and reducing the publishing line item from $3,000 to <br />$1,500. <br />Chief Rolfe asked about the status of hiring the vacant police officer position. <br />Council stated they were not ready at this time to move forward with the hiring of this <br />position. <br />Mr. Thistle stated the Council needs to focus on core services so they are not in a situation <br />where the entire organization is stressed or diminished to a point where people say <br />government doesn't work. He stated there may be other services that need to be cut because <br />the city doesn't need to be doing them right now. <br />Councilmember Gumphrey stated he will not make any cuts to police and fire. <br />13. Adjournment <br />There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk River City <br />Council at 8:20 p.m. <br />Tina Allard, City Clerk <br />John J. Dietz, Mayor <br />