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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,December 03, 2012 Page 14 Councilmember Willmus clarified with Finance Director Miller the amount of carryover from the 2011 to 2012 budgets, and the amount projected from 2012 to 2013, estimated at$200,000 by Mr. Miller based on current trending. Discussion ensued among Councilmembers and Mr. Miller on incurred and/or increased costs for the biennial budget, and distinctions in tax-supported and non-tax-supported funds in the General Fund for operations versus any surplus applied to reserve funds. Councilmember Pust opined that there should be some mechanism in place to capture salaries and programs planned but not launched on schedule for applica- tion of those available funds to reduce future levies. Councilmember Pust ex- pressed her concern that this seemed to be a piece of the attempt at transparency that was missing, with those resources not clear for use to reduce future tax lev- ies. Mr. Miller advised that there were many mechanisms available; however, the levy position at this date in time, may not be there at the end of the year, since staff and the City Council was just making an educated guess on where the ac- tual dollars would land at the end of 2012. Mr. Miller noted that a lot could po- tentially happen between now and year-end that could make the projected op- erational savings evaporate. Mr. Miller noted that the difficulty occurred since that savings was not a known quantity when making spending decisions for the next year. However, Mr. Miller noted that within about three (3) months, the City Council could have absolute certainty whether or not they had a surplus, and could then apply those funds to future budgets in future years (e.g. 2014 budget). Councilmember Pust opined that this was a piece of the budgeting process that needed to be included in the equation. Mr. Miller noted that repeated policy discussions on reserve levels were held; however, recognized that they may not be as transparent as they should be in de- termining whether or not to draw down reserves. Councilmember Pust opined that that discussion was too disconnected from this discussion on where the tax levy should end up as the budget was tweaked and finalized; and noted the advantages in public perception if and when the City could give money back. Mayor Roe noted his request earlier in the year from Mr. Miller on legislative and property value impacts projected. Mayor Roe opined that another piece to add to the process would be a final accounting for the year, as included in the presentation of the annual certified financial report after the audit process that included that information, but was not as clear as it could be. Mayor Roe con-