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<br />City Council Regular Meeting - 09/13/04 <br />Minutes - Page 31 <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder expressed his concern that, if <br />consensus was for a Preliminary Levy increase of 10%, the <br />Council would be locked in to it, and not consider ways to <br />reduce the Levy. Councilmember Schroeder spoke in support of <br />a Final Levy at a maximum of one to two percent. <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing opined that Councilmember Schroeder's <br />recommendation of a one to two percent levy increase would not <br />address the structural budget issues. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder respectfully disagreed with Mayor <br />Klausing's statelnent, and listed several areas of the proposed <br />2005 Budget in which his personal calculations differed with <br />those presented in the Budget document presented by staff; <br />questioned where projected savings were being realized and <br />originally projected (i.e., 1-35W Corridor Coalition annual dues; <br />and phone system savings). <br /> <br />Mayor Klausing opined that a viable alternative needed to be <br />proposed; and further opined that a zero to two percent levy <br />increase didn't achieve productive results. <br /> <br />Councilmen1ber Schroeder further addressed improved <br />negotiations and/or Inediation with unions to achieve positive <br />results for the City through a possible wage/salary freeze, rather <br />than assuming additional layoffs were necessary; and also <br />suggested that additional discussions and substantial savings <br />could be realized if the City were to return to a full volunteer <br />Fire Department with the elimination of the Fire Chief and <br />Deputy Fire Chief positions. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued, with Councilmember Schroeder <br />maintaining his minority position; and expressing further <br />concerns with the accuracy of information provided by staff <br />related to the 2005 Budget. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough expressed concerns regarding projected <br />cost savings with the City campus construction in consolidating <br />building use, and questioned where those savings were <br />represented (i.e., Fire Department; reduced maintenance and fuel <br />costs for Police squads; and continued leasing of the Fairview <br />