2.0. SR 09-08-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Budget Work Session Memo September 2, 1993 Page 4 Comprehensive Plan, an economical option is to hire an intern to do some of the day to day planning activities so that Steve can concentrate on this large project. Another issue for the City Council to review is our policy on placing general fund monies into reserves for future capital outlay expenditures. This is especially relevant as it relates to the Fire Department request for funding of a $300,000 pumper in 1998. Attached for your review is a list of the proposed 1994 capital outlay requests. Related to the capital outlay issue is the use of equipment certificates. The City would like to move away from the use of this financing tool as it is essentially a three to five year loan to finance the purchase of equipment. Equipment certificates were used out of necessity when levy limits were in place. It is uncertain as to how much, if any, of the equipment certificate requests can be incorporated into the general fund budget. Another budget issue that may need review by the City Council is the possibility of having the seal coating program special assessed to the benefitted property owners. The City has always considered this activity a maintenance expense, but many communities have this program special assessed out to the benefitted homeowners and property owners. Two other financial issues that mayor may not be directly related to the budget include a city-wide storm sewer fee and changes in the special assessment manual. The City has discussed generating revenues for a storm sewer program, and, at this time, the preferred method is to add an expense to the utility bill. The amount of the charge and the formula used to determine the charge have yet to be discussed, however, this method is preferred to adding an amount to the City levy. The Council has also discussed changing the Assessment Manual whereby the City funds a larger amount of street improvement projects. If this were to take place, the City would have to create a street improvement fund and the assumed financial source would be a city-wide levy. The City Council needs to discuss its priorities for the 1994 and beyond work years. As the City adds new programs, offers better services, and adds more personnel to provide for these new programs and services, then the overall City finances are affected as is the City tax rate and levy.