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City of Centerville <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />July 27, 2016 <br />Administrator Ericson stated that the Fire District has been working on the proposed budget for <br />several weeks. Mayor Wilharber stated that the proposed budget has an increase of 10.6% <br />($57,766) from last year which was known with the departure of the City of Lino Lakes from the <br />district. Mayor Wilharber reported that the Fire Steering Committee had lengthy discussions to <br />decrease the proposed budget regarding certain types of calls and whether fire fighters/EMTs <br />versus the Centennial Lakes Police Department response and standby pay for those that do not <br />make it to the station in time to participate in the call and their duties at the station during the run <br />time. He explained that Chief Lundstrom provided information from four (4) other Chief’s <br />departments emergency response calls. Mayor Wilharber stated that Council Member Love <br />attended several of these meetings in the absence of Council Member Paar. <br /> <br />Mayor Wilharber stated that the Committee at one time had narrowed the emergency calls to 9 of <br />15 high priority calls unless called by the police department to assist; however, after further <br />discussion and review with firefighters they felt that decreasing the emergency type calls may <br />result in lessening of EMT skills, slower response times, dissatisfaction of services, etc. Council <br />Member Paar stated that it was understood that with the departure of the City of Lino Lakes a <br />year would be given to determine expenditures and potential for budget decreases. He also <br />stated that it has been slightly over 6 months and difficult to anticipate where the 2016 budget <br />stands, how to compare for half of a year and budget for the upcoming year. He stated he feels <br />strongly that the residents of Centerville desire to continue with the services they are being <br />provided. Council Member Love stated that an anticipated $12,000 could be saved by <br />decreasing the types of calls that are responded and felt strongly that cost saving measure should <br />be put into place for 2017. <br /> <br />Lengthy discussion ensued regarding standby pay, responsibilities while at the station, potential <br />for delivery of more equipment or staff to scene, morale, pension, dedication of firefighters, <br />future budgets, new software that will assist in who is attending calls and types of calls, the need <br />for a full year of running the department without the City of Lino Lakes, etc. <br /> <br />Mayor Wilharber stated that discussions have taken place with the Finance Director regarding <br />both the police and fire budgets and she anticipates an estimated 5% increase in the City’s levy <br />for 2017. <br /> <br />Motion by Council Member Paar, seconded by Council Member King to Approve the <br />Centennial Fire District 2017 Budget as presented. Council Member Love Opposed. <br />Motion carried. <br /> <br /> <br />3.Centennial Lakes Police Department Proposed 2017 Budget <br /> <br />Administrator Ericson stated that a small increase is anticipated for 2017 with the budget. <br /> <br />Mayor Wilharber gave a brief overview of population/call increases in 2016 along with home <br />valuations, stated that several items will be addressed in the 2017 budget such as body cameras <br />and replacing the outdated telephone system ($17,000). <br /> <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />