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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, February 11,2013 <br /> Page 14 <br /> Councilmember McGehee opined that the plan had not been presented in such a <br /> way that it provided much flexibility, and reiterated her support of fresh ideas and <br /> a positive look at things, recognizing that adjustments can be made. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte spoke in support of an established calendar to provide <br /> information for the public's reaction and participation. However, Councilmember <br /> Laliberte advised that she struggled with a biennial budget, while recognizing the <br /> practicalities and staff time savings; and suggested perhaps considering the sec- <br /> ond year as more of a forecast versus a budget, and establishing a timeframe for <br /> that forecasting. Councilmember Laliberte concurred with Councilmember <br /> McGehee for the need to base budgets and forecasts on resident priorities, not in- <br /> ternal staff recommendations, while allowing that brainstorming informally and <br /> checking that against an established budget. <br /> If the biennial approach is used, Mayor Roe opined that the City appeared to be a <br /> year off in its timing; with strategic planning done this year, but still allowing <br /> budget adoption in 2013 for 2014, and applying the calendar accordingly. Mayor <br /> Roe opined that this was a good starting point, with a consistent process through- <br /> out the process allowing for reaction by the public, staff and City Council. Mayor <br /> Roe suggested that the process should evolve, not start over, and grow from this <br /> with more strategic planning plugged in this year for the 2015/2016 budget cycle. <br /> City Manager Malinen opined that a changing City Council may not make much <br /> difference, with the process developed to align with the state biennial cycle. As <br /> everyone prepared for the February 25, 2013 discussion, City Manager Malinen <br /> suggested that as strategic plans were reviewed, the body had not yet gotten to the <br /> stage of understanding what may or may not work and what refinements would be <br /> of value. Mr. Malinen suggested that those strategic plans be looked at initially as <br /> if the process and calendar were proceeding as recommended, and then see if it <br /> couldn't be continued rather than changing back and forth. <br /> Councilmember McGehee spoken in support of Councilmember Laliberte's sug- <br /> gested for an annual budget the first year and a forecast or guesstimate for the <br /> second year. To call it a biennial budget, Councilmember McGehee opined that <br /> predictions for year two were way off; but a forecast would be more accurate. <br /> At the request of Councilmember McGehee, City Manager Malinen advised that <br /> staff intended to submit similar strategic planning materials to those presented last <br /> year. <br /> Councilmember McGehee opined that the City Council didn't need to receive <br /> mission statements of each department in that strategic planning form; one of her <br /> objections with its formality. Councilmember McGehee opined that only each <br /> department's financial plan was needed, where they're going and those things be- <br />