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<br />City Council Regular Meeting - 08/22/05 <br />Minutes - Page 24 <br /> <br />Councilmember Ihlan noted that she was also preparing more <br />detailed recommendations and budget targets, and would forward <br />them to staff and the City Council when completed. <br /> <br />Further discussion included rising medical costs; short and long- <br />term funding; and the need to remain conservative in levying. <br /> <br />Consensus was, in terms of setting a maximum levy, that the <br />upper range would be 8% to 9% and making further reductions <br />from that point. <br /> <br />John Kysylyczyn, 3083 N Victoria Street <br />Mr. Kysylyczyn again reviewed his historical companson of <br />levies for tax-supported operations versus inflation; and <br />reviewed previous budget book policy statements related to the <br />Parks and Recreation Department becoming more self-sufficient; <br />Police Department ranking history and rationale; and his <br />personal preference for reducing City Manager salary amenities <br />rather than cutting employees. Mr. Kysylyczyn cautioned the <br />Council on "ball parking" estimates high for the Truth in <br />Taxation Statements that would be the information going to <br />residents for comment. <br /> <br />10. <br /> <br />Consider Fire Training Officer and Fire Department <br />Response to Accidents with Injuries <br />Mayor Klausing spoke in support of employee initiative to find <br />innovative ways to provide department efficiencies, as a <br />challenge previously provided to employees from the City <br />Council, and asked the City Council to consider the Fire <br />Department proposal as an award for their innovative leadership. <br />Mayor Klausing noted that the City couldn't continue to sustain <br />double-digit levy increases annually, and needed to look at <br />innovative approaches. Mayor Klausing endorsed the upcoming <br />proposal as an appropriate initiative worthy of Council support. <br /> <br />City Manager Beets reviewed his recommendation for <br />authorizing a full-time Training ManagerlFirefighter/Daytime <br />Shift Supervisor in the Fire Department and provided a <br />spreadsheet detailing short and long-term cost savings. Mr. <br />Beets opined that the position would improve the level of <br />training in the department, and thus the quality of public safety <br /> <br />Fire Training <br />Officer & <br />Fire Department <br />Response to <br />Accidents with <br />Injuries <br />