Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Minutes Page 3 <br /> September 8,2014 <br /> year rather than start the hiring process and building an internal program. He stated <br /> he is not sure how staff could have done it differently because they weren't given <br /> direction on how to proceed. <br /> Councilmember Motin questioned if the requested budgeted amount could be <br /> reduced in half in order to lower the property tax rate. <br /> Mr. Partner stated the city needs to budget for the fall amount requested. He further <br /> stated the worst thing the city could do is to set the fee for a lesser amount only to <br /> have to bump it up in another year. <br /> Mayor Dietz agreed that the fee should be set so it won't change for a long time. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard stated he believes the requested budget is reasonable and <br /> noted that most of the increase is due to the police department budget. He <br /> questioned Mr. Portner as to how strongly he felt about keeping/needing the <br /> Human Resources position in the budget. <br /> Mr. Portner stated he feels the position is needed and the human resources <br /> coordinator can never get caught up due to the workload some of which includes: <br /> • Mandatory reporting requirements/deadlines <br /> • Ongoing hiring/seasonal hiring periods <br /> • Annual event planning/open enrollment, contract negotiation etc. <br /> • Volunteer program <br /> Affordable Care Act <br /> • Policy management <br /> He stated these programs are very difficult for one person to manage. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated he isn't sure he can support the human resources position. He <br /> stated the increase in the levy,without a change to the storm water levy line item is at <br /> 2.56%, and he would like to see the amount reduced to below 2%. <br /> Mr. Simon noted with storm water removed from the levy,the levy increase would <br /> actually be at 2.05% <br /> Councilmember Westgaard stated the city still has a GRE fund and questioned if it is <br /> worth pursuing use of these funds to offset some of the costs for quiet zones. <br /> Mr. Simon noted this fund will be discussed as part of the Capital Improvement <br /> Program at an upcoming meeting. <br /> It was noted the costs will still have to be paid back to the fund. <br /> Mr. Portner questioned Council direction regarding the storm water funding. <br /> p 0 1 E H E e 6 T <br /> VR <br />