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The Engineering Intern is a new request and is based on the need for more engineering field work, general and support services, and studies/reports for our streets, storm water, sewer and water departments. The impact to the general fund is expected to be minor and depends how much time is spent on special projects and on enterprise fund activities. The Materials and Supplies and the Other Services and Charges Categories It is challenging to look at most of the line items within these two budget categories that run across most of the departmental budgets and say that reductions should be made to reduce the tax levy. Some reductions we must pay our gas and electric bills, legal services bills, garbage bills, the Ramsey County lease for public works space, the Auditors, IT services from Roseville, the contract for elections services with Ramsey County, property and liability insurance, postage, publication expenses, dues for LMC, and so on. Reductions that can be made in materials for street maintenance, the amount of sand/salt for ice control, recreation staff for programs, do fewer City newsletters, eliminate tree removal services mow the parks less often, etc. but these reductions will impact the level of municipal services that are provided and maybe even the quality of life for some residents. Transfers This is the easiest way to reduce the tax levy. The transfers from the general fund are essentially the same as a tax levy for equipment and for improvements to streets and trails/parks. However, reducing the $200,000 transfer to the PIR fund will likely hurt the noted that the transfers for equipment is proposed to increase by $10,000 to help address the deficit in the equipment fund. Conclusions It is unlikely that there will be any changes in this November preliminary budget in our public safety contracts (about 1/3 of the budget) or in the current number of employees (about 1/3 of the budget). This leaves the remaining 1/3 of the budget the materials and supplies requested within each department, the other services and charges requested within each department, changes with Interns, and the transfers as the places to look at for budget cuts. The memo at the front of the budget book offers some options for the Council to consider for budget reductions. Most of the options relate to the professional services line items, the line items related to conferences and schools and training, the Interns, and the transfers. ny specific recommendations on how to reduce the tax levy. The Council is in the best position to establish spending priorities. Staff provides the type of services and the level of services as the Council decides.