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Subsequent Budget Actions Subsequent to the Council adopting a Preliminary 2005 Budget and Tax Levy in September, a number of budget action items were enacted or realized as n~w information became available. These items as it pertains to the property tax levy are shown below. Tax Levy adopted on 9/13/04 Less savings from revised health care estimates Less savings from the elimination of Skidsteer loader Less savings from the elimination of Council goal-setting Less savings from the eliminationofNLC Conferences Plus the addition of a snowplow attachment Revised Tax Levy $ 10,761,015 (30,000) (35,000) (S~OOO) (4,050) 3.000 $ 10,689,965 As shown above, the revised 2005 Property Tax Levy would be $10,689,965, a reduction of $71,050. The revised levy represents a 9.5 % increase over 2004. Final Budget Considerations Over the past few weeks, Staff has continued to evaluate proposed spending plans in an effort to finalize a Budget that; reflects the City's current financial challengcs, addresses the core needs of the community, and is sustainable. As such, Staff is proposing that the Police FTE-equivalent ~ivilian position scheduled to be eliminated on 6130105, be accomplished by; reducing the culrrent complement of Community Service Officers from four (4) to two (2), and to eliminate funding for the Police Cadet position which has been less effective in recent years. This would b, il~llieu of eliminating one of the two data technician positions discussed by the City Manager du ng budget review sessions. The transition to a new records management system in the Polic Department has been slowed by technological glitches with the new software, making it Wllikdy that the new records system will come on line in 2005. The elimination of two eso's and tllC cadet position initead of the data technician posjtion will create the same budget savings without sscrificing public safety. ; . - . - :. . Staff is also reaffirming its support to eliminate the City's contribution to the I35W Coalition. A letter recently received from the I35W Coalition requests that tile City contribute $9,000 in 2005' (At one point, the City contributed as much as $33,000). However, Staff favors a more targeted effort when a need is identified. In addition, in light of the recent inspections of the chiller wilt at the Oval, Staff recommends that $30,000 be redirected from the Park Improvement l'mgram (PlP} to the Skating Center to provide for the re-inspection of the chiller unit at the endoflhcskating season, or for other unforeseen repairs and replacements. The Total budget j;:H' the rat!:.s & Recreation function would not change. Finally, the Council is reminded that the 2005 Budget reflects ~e 3'd consecutive year of cuts to programs and services. . What little discretionary spendin that had been aVailable, was eliminated in previous years. In order to achieve structural udget balance for 2005, staffing reductions are necessary. Further sustainable budget cuts will require additional staffing reductions. ~ It /07 _~i