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City Council Regular Meeting - 10/1 0/05 Minutes - Page 9 options for achieving the Council's proposed 5% levy increase for the 2006 Budget. Mr. Beets reviewed each option and the specifics of each proposal, noting the major impact would be felt in the City's Police Department. Mr. Beets reviewed additional information related to the COPS Grant for which the Police Department had applied in 2002, and recently been notified of award with condition that the officer hired be charged with problem solving in the area of domestic violence prevention. Mr. Beets noted that the City needed to advise the Federal Government of their acceptance of the grant November 13, 2005 or the grant would be awarded to another community. Discussion included the COPS Grant program and declining grant award over three years. Councilmembers Kough and Ihlan expressed their appreciation to City Manager Beets for coming forward with clear recommendations and a spreadsheet with four options. Councilmember Kough addressed the need to use squad cars for longer periods before trading them, with vehicle safety checks to determine their condition. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of Option D of the new proposals, opining it looked reasonable and plausible; and thanked staff for responding to her other questions in a timely manner. Councilmember Ihlan urged other Councilmembers to consider the possibility of Option D as a working assumption. Councilmember Maschka opined that a 5% levy only delayed the inevitable, and the only way to structurally balance the budget was to reduce positions through layoffs or attrition. Finance Director Miller noted that dependence on reserves, or delaying capital improvements, would definitely impact future budgets, and further restrict those budgets. Mayor Klausing called for public comment at this time.