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<br />Executive Session and Regular City Council- 4/7/03 <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />reduction in professional services, $22,200; reduction in <br />maintenance, $7,200; reduction in training and <br />conferences, $28,500; reduction in Capital outlay, <br />$72,500, and other, $24,220). <br /> <br />Specific areas addressed were outlined in the staff report <br />dated April 7, 2003 and included reducing overtime; <br />reducing Fire Department shift schedules from five (5) to <br />four (4); reduction in work force, in combination with <br />other cuts, for an equivalent reduction of six (6) full-time <br />equivalencies (FTE); as outlined in the staff-proposed <br />workforce reduction plan. Pending Public Employees <br />Retirement Fund (PERA) conclusions regarding employee <br />credit accrual, at Council direction, Mr. Beets anticipated <br />offering program availability from April 15 - May 15, <br />2003 to determine employee interest, allowing <br />management to be more aware of additional budget <br />reduction requirements. <br /> <br />Mr. Beets stated that, on a department basis, expenditure <br />reductions averaged approximately five percent (5%), with <br />the Public Safety and Street Maintenance programs being <br />less impacted due to the nature of services provided; with <br />the Administration, Finance and Parks & Recreation <br />Departments taking more of an impact to compensate for <br />those other departments. <br /> <br />Mr. Beets specifically identified some programs (i.e., <br />reduction in travel and conferences outside metro area <br />with the exception of mandatory licensing and continuing <br />education requirements for staff; reduction in professional <br />services for Sterling Codifiers, suggesting staff perform <br />those services; reduction in parks maintenance with no <br />fertilizer applications and less mowing landscaping <br />maintenance, while preserving funds for the park <br />improvement program; using existing mechanical systems <br />to line softball fields, rather than purchasing new <br />equipment; <br /> <br />Mr. Beets sought Council comment, questions, and <br />clarification of priorities and emphases as Council <br />