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City Council Minutes Page 8 <br /> September 5,2017 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated she doesn't want to cut current services but to make <br /> sure there is a thorough review of new services being requested. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated he wants to continue to have a proactive police department but <br /> wasn't sure about hiring for two positions. He stated he felt the fire captain position <br /> is needed and the city needs to be proactive with inspections. <br /> Councilmember Olsen noted how rental properties can degrade very quickly. <br /> Mayor Dietz asked staff for the following: <br /> ■ Present examples of the budget change for certain valued properties <br /> ■ Leave all positions in the preliminary budget <br /> ■ Review 2017 budgets to see if any expenditures for 2018 can be purchased <br /> this year <br /> Councilmember Westgaard suggested reviewing the policy regarding the excess fund <br /> balance. He stated he would like to see $400,000 cut from the budget. He stated he is <br /> willing to keep the 5 positions in the budget but staff needs to bring the budget <br /> down by$400,000 without cutting services; but if this can't be met,then the new <br /> positions would have to evaluated for cutting from the budget. He stated he is not <br /> convinced of the need for the fire captain position and is concerned staff is creating <br /> work by looking for more inspections to complete. <br /> Councilmember Ovall expressed concerns with capital expenditures and how the city <br /> is going to pay for parks,vehicles, and technology in the long-term. <br /> Chief Cunningham stated he is not looking to expand any services with the fire <br /> captain position but keeping up with the current workload. He discussed how staff <br /> roles have changed and public education has suffered due to the inspection <br /> workload. He stated the city would have to cut fire department public education <br /> services. <br /> Council consensus was to include keeping the requested positions in the preliminary <br /> budget, but noted they may still be cut before adoption of the final budget. <br /> Volunteers Appreciation Program <br /> Council discussed this newly added program and would like to keep it as a small <br /> event, such as coffee/cookies or brats/hamburgers at a park with thanks from the <br /> Council. <br /> Council consensus was to add$2,500 to the budget for a new volunteer <br /> appreciation program. <br /> II. Adjournment <br /> UREJ <br />