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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 12, 2011 Page 12 Pust moved, McGehee seconded, $9,500 additional to budget and levy for mem- bership in Metro Cities. Councilmember Willmus spoke in support of membership, but not from tax dol- lars. Willmus offered a friendly amendment to not increase the tax levy with this addi- tional expense, but only to increase the budget by that amount; with the makers of the motion in concurrence. Mayor Roe advised that he was supportive of the original motion, but would not support it as amended. Mayor Roe noted his support of ongoing expenses as part of the levy, but not using reserves for those ongoing expenses. City Manager Malinen clarified that $9,500 is the annual membership fee; how- ever, the group has offered to discount that membership by half for the first year; while staff included the full amount for those years going forward as an ongoing expense if supported by the City Council. Willmus—supportive of membership; not using tax dollars Councilmember Pust suggested doing half this year and half next year. Councilmember McGehee spoke in support of the expense going forward as long as it was part of the levy, but not if only budgeted this year from reserves. Councilmember Johnson spoke in wholehearted support of membership and it coming out of tax dollars. In general, Councilmember Johnson supported the purchase of asset management software as a crucial tool to support the City's CIP efforts going forward; and since it was a one-time purchase it should come from the General Fund in support of the CIP. Councilmember Johnson advised that the software could be addressed in 2012, and didn't need to be acted upon tonight. Since this was a one-time pur- chase and not repetitive, Councilmember Johnson opined that it didn't need to be included in the proposed tax levy. $9,500 for a membership in Metro Cities The motion was amended by its makers as follows: Pust moved, McGehee seconded, to authorize an increase to the 2012 budget by $4,750, thereby increasing the levy and budget accordingly; and authorizing an increase to the 2013 budget and levy by $9,500, to facilitate membership fees in Metro Cities (formerly the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities). Roll Call Ayes: Johnson; Willmus; McGehee; Pust; and Roe. Nays: None.