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<br />- <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />. The current process for funding capital equipment is inconsistent, difficult to understand, <br />and difficult to explain. <br />. It is very difficult to document how much each city has contributed to equipment <br />purchases in the past. <br />· The current system subjects member cities to large ebbs and flows in capital spending <br />from year to year, depending on whether or not a large piece of equipment nceds to be <br />funded. <br />. It is not always clear to whom the equipment belongs: to a specific city or cities, to the <br />department, or to a combination of both? <br />. Because it is not clear who the equipment belongs to, it is not clear who should keep <br />proceeds from a sale. <br />. This system does not acknowledge the reality that while a piece of equipment may be <br />housed in a certain station, the reality is that all equipment is available to respond to calls <br />in all three cities, and they are used in all three cities. <br /> <br />Under the new formula, the following advantages would result: <br /> <br />· Capital expenditures would be more "even" over time and large peaks could be avoided, <br />allowing for easier financial planning and budgeting. <br />. All equipment would clcarly be assets of the LJFD and its member cities based on a clear <br />financing formula, <br />. This would acknowledge that all LJFD equipment is used in all three member cities. <br />· Thc funding formula would be consistent, easy to understand, and easy to explain, <br /> <br />Under the "old" formula, Arden Hills would have some major expenditures in the near future. <br />For example, Engine #3 is proposed for replacement in 2008 at a cost of $460,000, Under the <br />new fonnula, we would pay roughly 27.1 % of that Engine rather than the full cost. <br /> <br />REQUESTED ACTION <br /> <br />Provide direction to staff and the LJFD Liaison regarding capital equipment financing: <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Concurrence with the formula being applied to capital purchases <br />Concurrence with the "catch up" approach <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The LJFD Board of Directors will meet again September 20'h and will be discussing the <br />proposal. Council direction is needed as to whether or not the city of Arden Hills will support <br />this proposed change, so that can be communicated to the Board. <br /> <br />In the draft capital budget attached, the City of Arden Hills share of the cost for new 800 MHz <br />radios is not reflected. I anticipate we will be paying that this year. This draft also does not <br />contemplate the "catch-up" payments discussed in the memorandum. <br /> <br />\\metro-inet\ardenhil1s\admin\City Administrator\FoIice Services and UFD\2006\9-] 4-06 Memo RE UFD Capital Financing.doc <br />