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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 25, 2011 Page 25 Mr. Miller advised that, when a previous City Council made the designation, there was no nexus for how funds should be allocated for outcomes, other than to take the previous budget and add a percentage above it, providing not rationale for re- source allocations that were desired. When cutting budgets, Mr. Miller noted that staff simply used a formulaic approach as opposed to looking at programs and funding those that mattered the most and reducing those not mattering the most. Councilmember McGehee opined that she didn't' feel that dirt had been kicked in their faces; and would be happy when she had those 200 items; and didn't need to know what happened last year for her decision-making. Councilmember McGe- hee advised that her priorities were to add to the reserve budget to maintain streets and other infrastructure needs, to fund public safety needs, and to maintain parks and keep them clean and maintained. In order to do that, Councilmember McGe- hee noted the possible need to increase property taxes. Councilmember Pust clarified that she had yet to vote on any of the recommenda- tions. Councilmember McGehee opined that she didn't think it was that bad; and en- couraged public comment following tonight's slide presentation; and to hear their perspective on transparency concerns. Mayor Roe requested clarification on some technical issues related to the $336,375 detailed in the RCA being removed in one-time funding for various equipment replacements as well as set aside funds for potential Emerald Ash Bor- er(EAB) mitigation. Mayor Roe questioned including the equipment expenditure when all that was decreased was for the EAB, excluding the $236,000 for equip- ment, not operating costs; and his preference to see 2012 and 2013 numbers more specifically reflect that. Concurring with Councilmember Pust's observation, Mayor Roe noted that this would create a lower percent decrease, and was not what the CIP Task Force had recommended. Councilmember Willmus concurred; opining that this was just one example of his concerns in being unable to address highlights without the experience of Mayor Roe from his participation in and knowledge of last year's budget discussions. Mayor Roe further suggested that the capital budget table (page 2 of the RCA) amounts be added to from the additional levy funding for operating; and that the summary (bench handout) provide the capital budget for 2012 and 2013 respec- tively. Councilmembers McGehee and Johnson concurred.