10-13-14-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Memo - City Council 2015 Budget and Tax Levy Discussions 9 2015 Rate Increases Water 2% Sanitary Sewer 2% Surface Water 3% Administrative Services Department totaling 0.85 FTEs for the department for clerical help in the general routine tasks as outlined in the attachment. During the 2014 budget discussions, the Finance and Administrative Services department suggested eliminating the intern/student workers and replacing this with a permanent part-time position to give more continuity and eliminate the constant training period as interns/student workers were replaced causing backlogs and many times preventing staff from accomplishing projects and Council goals in a timely manner. Council chose at that time to deny this request and eliminated the intern/student workers from the department entirely. This request is also attached with the cost justification that was given to the Council at that time (Attachment E). The 2015 budget does include the re-establishment of the interns/student workers in the department, but Council should be aware that they are also a revenue source to the General Fund as an Administrative Service Charge to other funds – removing this expenditure will decrease the expenditure budget by $17,224, but it will also decrease the revenue budget by $10,831 giving a total change of $6,393. Other Funds We have had previous discussion about the EDA revenues and operating expenditures. A $30,000 transfer from the General Fund to the EDA Fund has been included in the levy and budget proposed above. Capital Funds were discussed at our June meeting during the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) review. It should be noted that we still have not identified a funding source for this fund to build reserves. Enterprise Funds are being evaluated and changes made to accurately reflect economic conditions and historical trends and any increases that may be passed through to us by other agencies. GENERAL INFORMATION A final levy needs to be established and certified by December 26th. As Council knows, once a preliminary levy is established, the amount can be reduced, but it cannot be increased. The information on the preliminary budget and levy have been updated per Council direction at the September 22, 1014 worksession, but staff has not prepared revised books at this time, this will be done for the November 24, 2014 worksession. DIRECTION REQUESTED: 1. Discussion with staff regarding the 2015 levy and issues. 2. Further direction to staff regarding 2015 budget preparation.