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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 11, 2013 Page 13 Councilmember Etten stated that he struggled with the biennial budget concept, with a previous City Council setting goals and strategic plans for a new City Council. Councilmember Etten opined that it made more sense to him that a stra- tegic plan be set now for the upcoming two years. Councilmember Willmus stated that he struggled with the language being used, since statutorily the City Council was obligated to set an annual budget; even though the first year's budget was set with strong guidance for year two in the bi- ennial process. However, Councilmember Willmus suggested that the City Coun- cil needed to be cognizant that things change and some flexibility was needed, and expressed concern that those ideas could get lost in a two year process. Mayor Roe stated, from his perspective, there was considerable flexibility availa- ble for year Two and revisions were made accordingly. Mayor Roe advised that he was in agreement with the timing of strategic planning; however, he noted that the argument worked both ways, with existing City Councils setting budgets for odd years with new City Councilmembers coming in, and that this would always be an issue. Mayor Roe suggested that it may make more sense to look at strate- gic planning for the first year of a newly-elected City Council; however, a coun- ter-argument could be that the new City Council may not e as up to speed, and want a year to discuss strategic planning as they developed their budget expertise. Mayor Roe concurred with the need for flexibility in the second year; however, he opined that it made the City Council remain committed to better long-range plan- ning, as evidenced in development of a CIP that looked beyond five years. Mayor Roe opined that it made sense to look at budgeting for a longer term, and a two year perspective served that purpose, as well as freeing up time for strategic plan- ning. As a big supporter of strategic planning, Councilmember McGehee spoke in sup- port of that planning in the first year for a new City Council, as they brought a fresh perspective with additional insight from the community based on their cam- paigning. Councilmember McGehee stated that she didn't like the formulaic stra- tegic planning she observed last year, and preferred a broad discussion allowing for participation and more City Council and staff input. With survey results and a new City Council, Councilmember McGehee opined that all 160 programs did not need review with many services or programs obvious and not needing to come in- to question. Mayor Roe noted the need to continue ranking all services and programs without taking considerable staff time, but needing to remain in context with overall stra- tegic planning to determine if and when the course needed adjusting without start- ing over again. Mayor Roe opined that the goal was to see where you wanted to be and continually adjust to get to that course, providing an approach for future decision-making, and taking into account previous strategic plans even if previous City Councils came up with that plan.