8.1. SR 11-13-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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There is no change being proposed in the 2002 garbage collection rates. The rates established by the City Council in 1999 for year 2000 are the same rates that are proposed for 2002. It is expected that rates will increase in 2003 and this increase may be in the 10 percent range. It should be noted that in the mid 1990's, garbage rates were between 19 and 25 percent higher than they are today. In December 1996 rates went down about 10 percent and then in January 2000 rates went down about another 10 percent. Our current rates are the lowest in the surrounding area. The 2002 expenditures for the garbage collection/recycling program are projected at $820,750. This is a $9,400 or 1.2 percent increase over the adopted 2001 budget. Approximately 96 percent of the expenditures go to the garbage haulers and to thc RDF plant for disposal. Municipal Liquor Store... The municipal liquor store is located at the northeast corner of the Highway 169 and 19Yd Avenue intersection. This store opened in October 1997. The third full year of operation was 2000 and these year end figures show profits and operating income at our highest level ever. The attached 2002 budget is based on the 2000 actual figures plus a slight increase in sales and a modest increase in operating expenses. The operating budget for 2002 is proposed in the amount of $892,150. This is a $101,250 or 12.8 percent increase over the adopted 2001 budget. However, it should be noted that debt service increased by $53,050. Without this significant increase in debt service, then the budget would have increased 6.1 percent or $48,200. One expenditure to note is a marketing study for $10,000 in the other professional services line item. For a number of years, staff has been responding to inquiries about when a Westbound liquor store would be built. The standard answer has been that funds are not available and that the market is not yet favorable for a second store. Based on the successful year we are experiencing in 2001 and based on projections for another successful year in 2002, it is estimated that funds will be available for a second store in the near future. The biggest question remaining regarding a second store is the market, and to help us answer this question we are providing funds in the 2002 budget for a professional market study to advise the city if the timing is right for a second municipal liquor store. The market study would have to take into consideration not only city (and area wide) growth and Highway 10 traffic volumes but also potential legislative action that could impact the municipal liquor industry. Wastewater Treatment System (WWTS)... The WWTS budget for 2001 shows revenues exceeding expenditures. Whenever the actual year end revenues exceed expenditures, the excess monies are placed into the VCa¢TTS reserves. These reserves are then used to help pay for the plant expansion debt when SAC fees are not sufficient; are saved for the second phase of the plant expansion, which will increases capacity from 1.7 to 2.1 mgd; and are used for any major equipment or building repairs that may unexpectedly be required. Some of these major expenditures, like the estimated $300,000 for the digester cover, are known to be needed, but the timing is not known and we will have to be prepared to respond when the digester cover is no longer fixable. The city does not spend these reserve monies until necessary, but funds must be available for this type of required expenses.