08-18-08-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - AUGUST 18, 2008 2 Finance Director Iverson explained the special levies which would be outside the levy limit. Discussion ensued regarding which increases were within and which expenses were outside of the levy limit with regard to personnel and public safety expenditures. City Administrator Moorse identified all items that had a significant expenditure impact on the budget, which were itemized on Page 2 of the Budget Preliminary Overview memo. The Council reviewed these items and provided Staff with comments. The first item discussed was annual pay adjustments and scheduled pay steps totaling an increase in the budget by $36,096. City Administrator Moorse indicated due to the promotion of the associate planner, the position would not be replaced for 2009, but that a consultant would be used for future TCAAP planning issues as they arise. City Planner Lehnhoff agreed stating the upcoming work load did not support the hiring of a full time planner. Mayor Harpstead stated the next budgetary item to increase was the group insurance contribution. It was noted the proposed expenditures reflected a $24 per month increase in the City's contribution toward employee health insurance and other benefit options in the cafeteria benefit plan. City Administrator Moorse identified the next increase being additional costs related to expanding the Recreation Programmer Position from part-time to full- time increasing the budget by $13,600. The Council discussed the Recreation Programmer Position and how this position would be changed from 2008 to 2009. Finance Director Iverson explained several staff positions were budgeted during the 2008 operating year but remained vacant, the total budgeted headcount would change to 24 positions for 2009. In response to Council questions on how Arden Hills compares to neighboring and similar sized communities, she explained which positions were contracted out in comparison with neighboring communities of the same SIze. Further discussion ensued regarding the staff size and efficiency of the current employees.