6.0. SR 08-26-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ramsey initiated a $20 per vehicle lockout fee in January 2002. The City of Ramsey has approximately 350 calls for lockout service. In Elk River, about 75% of the vehicle lockout calls are responded to by Police Officers. These are non-priority calls and the Police Officer gets there whenever he or she can. In round numbers, it is fair to say that it takes about 1/2 hour per lockout call. The number of lockout calls has increased significantly over the years. In 2000 the city responded to 1258 lockouts and in 2001 the city responded to 1406 lockouts. An increased number of lockout calls are predicted in the future. Twenty dollars per service is the norm and at this rate somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 in revenues could be expected. The Chief of Police has previously resisted charging a lockout fee as this service is usually a very positive public contact and service that the city can provide its citizens and visitors. (A large number of the lockouts happen at shopping areas.) Cost of living adjustment (COLA) - The City Council annually provides an increase to the employees for cost of living purposes. This COLA increase is in addition to the wage plan step increases for employees that happen July 1 of each year. For employees that are at the top of the pay plan their only wage increase is the COLA increase. For as long as ! can remember, the city has provided a 3% COLA increase to the non-union employees. This 3% COLA increase has generally kept the city competitive in wages with its neighboring and similar communities. The concern is that if less than 3% is given in Elk River and 3% is given in neighboring and similar communities, then Elk River will begin to fall behind. One year or two may not have a significant impact but I would not want to have the city employees consistently received a lower COLA increase than neighboring and similar communities. The difference between a 2% and a 3% COLA increase for all city employees (including Police union employees) is approximately $28,000. Other budget options to consider Mayor and City Council $5000/eliminate the balance of the HPC request for oral history and inventory work $500/further reduce the HPC conference and school request (This keeps $1000 in the budget for HPC conference/schools.) $2000/reduce city newsletters from 6 times per year to 4 times per year Cable TV $3000/Office supplies...purchase laptop computer in 2002 using City Council Contingency funds Administration $3000/Office supplies...purchase two computers in 2002 using City Council Contingency funds