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City Council Minutes Page 6 <br /> September 5,2017 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> and should last longer than 4 years. We also had direction to seek the best resale <br /> value which may not be a good practice. <br /> Mayor Dietz expressed concerns with the Equipment Replacement Fund going <br /> negative next year due to scheduled replacements. <br /> Mr. Portner stated the requested fire engine,like other higher cost <br /> vehicles/equipment, such as snow plows and the vac-tron, could be made with a <br /> different type of investment such as equipment certificates or an internal loan. <br /> Mayor Dietz questioned past practice with funds paid to the city as Payment In Lieu <br /> of Taxes (PILOT) by Elk River Municipal Utilities. <br /> Mr. Portner stated the PILOT funds were split between the General Fund and the <br /> Equipment Replacement Fund when the city did not receive Local Government Aid <br /> (LGA). When the state legislature resumed LGA payments a few years ago,the <br /> finance director recommended placing those funds in the Equipment Replacement <br /> Fund as we have no control if the state withholds future payments. At that time, <br /> ERMU PILOT transfers were increased to the General Fund to offset the projected <br /> increase. He noted Council has been utilizing a lot of short term solutions to balance <br /> past budgets without having property owners pay their true tax share for current <br /> services. He stated Elk River has a number of revenue advantages other communities <br /> don't have,however following the recession,the city has sheltered the true cost of <br /> living in the community which has resulted in funding shortages for parks, recreation <br /> facilities,vehicles, and information technology. He stated at some point Council is <br /> going to have to levy money to pay for things. He further noted community <br /> members/organizations have provided us numerous assets, but long-term <br /> maintenance/replacement also needs to be considered. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated the $93,500 in vehicle funding requests can be paid in the short- <br /> term but noted the city would be kicking the problem down the road. He questioned <br /> if a new vehicle is needed for the new police positions or if there were other <br /> alternatives available. <br /> Staff would review the matter. <br /> Council consensus was to move $93,500 from the General Fund to the <br /> Equipment Replacement Fund. <br /> Councilmember Wagner questioned how the requested communications position fits <br /> with the existing position. <br /> Mr. Portner stated the current coordinator's role is assisting staff when needed and <br /> making sure (branding/grammar) polices are being met. He stated the <br /> communications coordinator doesn't create content but assists other staff where <br /> needed with their content. He noted the new position will have more of a marketing <br /> POWERED 9r <br /> UREJ <br />