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City Council Regular Meeting - 12/06/04 Minutes - Page 6 budget needed further serious consideration in an effort to achieve the lowest possible level. Councilmember Schroeder noted he would like the 2005 Budget and Levy increase to be lower than five percent, and zero percent if possible. Councilmember Schroeder noted that this would involve serious cuts, impact employees and services, but further opined that cuts were available (i.e., communication department and franchise fees, reductions in Assistant positions in various departments, and reduction in COLA to be spread over staff city-wide, rather than through laying off staff). Councilmember Schroeder suggested further fine-tuning and discussion at the next Council meeting prior to adoption of a final budget. Mayor Klausing opened the meeting for public comment. John Kysylyczyn, 3083 N Victoria Street Mr. Kysylyczyn opined his disappointment in the lack of leadership in the budget process, number of public and City Council-based discussions and budget-related accomplishments to-date. Mr. Kysylyczyn provided his perspective and interpretation of information provided by Finance Director Chris Miller related to general government operations versus inflation. Mr. Kysylyczyn reviewed several expense categories under the City Manager (i.e., membership in the Rotary Club; professional dues; and expense lunches) and questioned their validity on top of the City Manager's salary and benefits. Mr. Kysylyczyn opined the use of cable franchise fee funds, the value and accuracy of a community survey, and the need to fix the cable delivery system for Council meetings. Mr. Kysylyczyn disputed the city-comparison tax chart provided by Finance Director Miller, opining that it didn't accurately show the fees paid by taxpayers, which were in effect taxes as well under a different name. Councilmember Ihlan called for a Point of Order, questioning whether Mr. Kysylyczyn's comments were within the subject