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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 16 Mayor Grant asked if the levy has been reduced by 4%. Councilmember Monson summarized the changes discussed. Removing the street maintenance program saves 2%. Removing the permit software would lower the levy by 1%. The change to the Equipment budget would be another 2%. She said total cuts are 5% and if Council chooses to move forward with implementing the Public Works staff mid-year, instead of at the first of the year, there would be additional savings there. Councilmember Holden asked if the Public Works staff savings was worth it. She said staff already doesn't have the capacity. A member of the public was currently overseeing the Great River Greening contract. She doesn't think that's appropriate. She didn't vote to approve the $2 for a lead position but she wants to discuss that tonight. That person could oversee this contract. It should not be a member of the public. She would propose the Lead Parks position be approved now. Councilmember Monson asked if that was the Utility Lead or a Public Works Lead. She clarified Councilmember Holden is not talking about the Parks Manager position. Councilmember Holden confirmed. Councilmember Monson would be comfortable with that. Then wait on the Parks Manager position until the middle of the year. She pointed out that they just cut 5%. She is open to discussing other options. Mayor Grant is not comfortable with the levy increases. He shared the proposed levy increases for surrounding cities. Councilmember Holden would like to know how the Council feels about the $155,000 for the Comp and Class study. Councilmember Monson said as they walked through it earlier, the $155,000 remained in there. Mayor Grant thinks that is what staff thought Council was offering. Councilmember Monson said when this was discussed originally, she thought it was the $124,000, not$155,000. She said that was new information. Discussion ensued regarding underfunded revenues from 2024 to 2025. Councilmember Rousseau asked how the City has been trending with the underfunding. She asked if that is typical for past Councils. Mayor Grant said it's not uncommon for councils to do that. You either increase the revenue or you can't spend all of your budget. Historically we have come in pretty close. Councilmember Holden said we're pulling the permit software conversion. She asked if the Master Park Plan needed to be done next year, if we aren't hiring the Parks Manager until July. That person will come in and not know the parks.