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Regular City Council Mlnutes — 4/28/03 DRAFT Minutes - Page 30 mid -May and the 2003 — 205 biennium legislative initiatives will also affect discussions. Councilmember Kough opined that he appreciated staff attempting to initiate 2004 budget discussions now; and that City Manager Beets' concerns as to the budget process was valid, but that he had received some direction tonight. Councilmember Kough further opined that he didn't know if it was realistic to anticipate a zero levy increase for 2004, given the construction project; but that it was his goal to work with Finance Director Miller on some items to solve the budget crunch in a reasonable amount of time. Councilmember Schroeder stated that he looked to staff to determine best how to provide anticipated service levels and staffing; but the Council needed additional information from the public and the State to define the budget further; further opining that his preference was for the most reasonable budget available for consideration. Mayor Kysylyczyn opined that staff should be prepared to look at reductions, rather than expansions, of government at a maintenance level or reduction mode. City Attorney Anderson spoke to his experience in working with counties and school districts in their budgeting process; opining that given tonight's discussion, if he were staff he didn't know if he would have clear direction. City Attorney Anderson further opined that the normal public entity budget process started in the previous June, with a budget document presented by Finance to each Department Head, and usually included last year's approved budget, current year actual approved budget and expenditures to -date; and a blank line for each Department Head to anticipate the upcoming yea's needs related to overtime, supplies, training,