08-25-2003 CC MIN - SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council 5/[mutes August 25, 2003 Page 6 Mr. Klaers stated that the 2004 budget calls for the following four positions to be filled or added: buildings and grounds maintenance, police officer to replace the vacancy left when Chief Zerwas retired, street/park maintenance I position to replace Gary Lore, and a information technology employee. Discussion took place on the benefits and urgency of each position. It was discussed ~at a job share between a cable a~i~tant and an information technology person be explored. Councilmember Dietz expressed support for another cable TV employee. Mr. I~aers briefly reviewed the supplies and other services/charges and capital outlay expenditure categories with the Council. Mr. Klaers reviewed some of the highlights of the budget with the Council. M_r. I~aers stated that he has reduced some of the departmental budgets and asked the City Council to let him know if they would like the full amount of the requests reinstated. Revenues City Administrator Pat I~aers reviewed with the City Council a preliminary levy sample. ND. Klaers stated that the city could approve the maxirnurn levy allowed by the state plus the noted special levies and then the levy could be lowered at a later date. It was noted that the growth in the city net tax capacity amount is not known at this time. Mayor Kkinzing stated that She would like to see something put together for the public that explains the budget, the tax levies, transfers in and transfers out, etc. so they can be easily understood. Finance Director Lori Johnson stated that she could put something together. Mr. Klaers indicated that there are no host fees included in the 2004 budget. He stated that 90% of the actual 2002 amount would total $290,000 and it is up to the Council to decide if they want some or all of that amount added to the budget. It was the consensus of the Council to further review the budget before making a decision on the host fees. Councilmember Tveite stated that he believed the city needed a Park and Recreation Director sooner rather than later due to the growth in these services and programs in the city. The Council discussed the cost for a director position and the possibility of starting a position at mid-year 2004. Finance Director LoriJohnson noted that th-e tax levy resolution needs to be certified to the county by September 15, 2003 so the Council needs to certify the levy at their September 8, 2003 meeting. Ms. Johnson stated that she will be working with Bond Counsel in the next few weeks and should have a better idea of the financial options for the street pavement program by the September 8 meeting. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING: · USE OF EQUIPMENT RESERVES TO PURCHASE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MODEMS ($11,000) · USE OF EQUIPMENT RESERVES TO PURCHASE TWO COMPUTERS FOR THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT ($3,000) · USE OF ICE ARENA EQUIPMENT RESERVES TO BEGIN PRELIMINARY WORK ON THE BARN FLOOR (UP TO $20,000) · USE OF COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE REQUEST PARTNERS SOFTWARE ($6,000).