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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 15, 2012 Page 12 At the request of Councilmember Willmus, Mr. Miller advised that he could on- ly provide estimated year-end projections at this time with information available through September of 2012, indicating that it was trending close to projections and budget levels, with reserve levels remaining fairly consistent, and a poten- tial small surplus in operating funds. Councilmember Willmus asked that future staff presentations include identifica- tion of savings carried forward from 2011 to 2012; and projected savings from 2012 to 2013. Councilmember Willmus advised that he needed to have a clear understanding of that data prior to his approval or denial of the Final 2013 Levy. Mayor Roe clarified, and Councilmember Willmus confirmed, that he was seek- ing actual versus budget dollars annually. At the request of Mayor Roe as to how staff would provide that information, Mr. Miller advised that it would be presented in a format by fund similar to that included in page 2 of the RCA dated October 15, 2012. Mayor Roe spoke in support of staff providing the information in that format. At the request of Mayor Roe, Mr. Miller clarified that the target percentage for General Fund reserves would be based on the total General Fund budget, inclu- sive of all non-tax and tax-supported monies. Mayor Roe clarified that his ra- tionale in calling out the distinction of non-property tax funding was based on receipt semi-annually of property tax funds from Ramsey County. Councilmember Johnson sought clarification on why the target reserve percent- age in 2009 was at 50% and was now less, with Mr. Miller responding that this had been a City Council policy to reduce the reserve levels; but clarified that re- serve balances were sufficient and allowed the City to remain in a good fiscal standing. Mr. Miller, in response to Councilmember Johnson, advised that the reserve balance was captured at the end of the fiscal year, December 31st, and noted that it did fluctuate throughout the year based on receipt of semi-annual property tax payments. In response to questions regarding the Communications Fund and healthy re- serve levels at this time, Mr. Miller advised that, while they were strong now, revenue was through cable franchise fees, and there was a fair amount of uncer- tainty about whether or not those fees would be retained at the same level in the future, with renewal of the franchise agreement scheduled for 2014. Mr. Miller advised that he could not, with any confidence, assure that fees would remain the same, and expressed his concern that revenues may decrease. Admitting that current strong position of those reserves may not be needed, Mr. Miller opined that things could look drastically different in a few years. Mr. Miller al- so clarified that those Communication Funds were legally restricted funds.