CCP 12-26-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. - ' I ARDEN HILLS TRUTfI IN TAXATION - NOVEMBER 30.1995 3 ~ . explained the changes. Councilmember Malone indicated many of the changes are due merely to better allocating of expenditures and the attempt to adequately determine the true costs to deliver I services. For example, with the Community Development Director spending time on planning activities, a portion of his salary will now be charged to the Planning Department. Mr. Aitkin inquired as to the increase in Park expenditures. Councilmember Malone noted this I was also a salary allocation change, the elimination of the Diseased Tree Fund and the purchase of a truck. I Mr. Aitkin inquired if depreciation is attributed to the truck. Mr. Post noted the depreciation I accounting is not applied to Governmental Fund capital purchases. They are treated as current period expenditures. Mr. Aitkin inquired as to the benefit of the City to participate in such memberships as the I Minnesota League of Cities and Mayor's Association. Mayor Probst indicated these organizations help the City and its residents receive information and support about various I issues. He noted the League of Cities is lobbying on behalf of the cities it represents for reclassification. This reclassification would help Arden Hills to be eligible to receive more state funding. He indicated that is just one example of the benefits these organizations provide. ~ Mayor Probst indicated the City is diligent with the funds used to participate in various organizations and this expenditure is reviewed annually so ifthere is no benefit found, the City can remove itself from membership. I Mr. Aitkin inquired if the information regarding accounting, such as how much each City employee earns, is available to the general public. Mayor Probst indicated if a resident wishes to I know the amount of an employee's salary, that is available, but it would not be something that would be published. I Mr. Aitkin inquired if a question about engineering arose could inquiries be made as to the funding of the salary, etc. Mayor Probst indicated the information could be obtained through the I City Administrator. Mr. Post noted the summary section of the Budget Document recaps spending by expense object I code. These object codes are set forth by the State Auditor as a recommended chart of accounts. Mr. Aitkin inquired if allocation change is reflected in the summary. Mayor Probst indicated the I City tries to keep current as much as possible. Mr. Aitkin inquired if a cost/benefit analysis oftime City staff spends on a project is done. He I noted it seems that it is assumed that development is profitable. Mayor Probst advised that the City staff is responsive to the needs of the City; they do not search out projects, but are reactive e.. to requests. I