12-01-2008 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes December 1 Page Mayor KLn ing stated the council has cEscussed entening into a state contract where they would purchase 0% of their fuel at a Erred price for 2009, The budgets have been decreased because of the mi=ent decrease in fuel costs, and the City is hoping to lock in at a low price for next year's fuel. Anthony Reel - asked why they aren't hearing any comments from the council members that represent their wards. Heaiso wished to ask two questions from each of the council members, one, what percentage of increase or decrease in the City budget is their persomil goal, and two, what is able to be cut from the culture and recreation portion of the budget. Mayor m ing stated the reason the council members aren't responding is because they are in a public hearing and are mainly there to get public input. .. resident asked if the council meetings could get on DIRECIV. Where being no one else to speak at the public hearing, Mayor ICEnzMig closed the pubhc hearing. Ms. Johnson stated they need to set a date for adopting the budget and tax levy. She is proposing holding a regular meeting before the work -session on December 8 so it can be on cable TV, or it can be held on December 15 Nth Council,member Zerwas absent.A derision cannot be made this evening but discussion can be held 'With. the final decision made at the ,next meeting. CoundIrne beer Gumphxey stated the tax rate will stay the same. He was opposed to cutting the level of service because that affects new businesses and new residents corning to the tc %vn. He viiU do his very best to keep service le rtels the same. ouncil e ber Zerwas is in favor of 1-2% increase mi the General fund budget with the proposed cuts outlined in the staff report, bringing them at a 4.3.05% tax rate. He states everyone is Mi a tough spot now. Thereis a potential of cutting the cost of living adjustment for staff. But he stated in the `{good" years they didn'tgimme staff an overly high. COLA. Th City was fortunate to have mo positions open and not filled, and that is ghat sated the council from looking staff cuts. Councilmember Farber concurred with Councilmembers Gurnphrey and Zerwas and felt that a I% its the General Fund was living vviffiin the City's means. He also wished to continue to provide the same level of service. He stated the parks budget has already been cut by $100,000 and noted the necessity to maintain the upkeep of the parks so they don't become blight. Coundrnember Motin stated he isn't comfortable with a 1% increase, but feels it's necessary to maintain the level of service residents are used to. He stated fro Nva be an even worse year. If the economy stays the same, they -ill ha e to consider laying off` staff~ He would like to hear from. the Chamber of Commerce as he had heard they were considening cancelling theiruly 4 celebration and if that was the case, the City could lover their budgeted amount for that event. He stated the employees may not receive any cast of living increase for 2009. Mayor l ing stated the comments were good from residents and she was glad that they came to the meeting. The City faces the same challenges that residents do and feels the council is conservative. She would ace to try and gnive more confidence to residents drat they