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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 3, 2014 Page 23 Councilmember Etten questioned how much the current discount was costing the City, and what value and change was projected. Mr. Miller responded that he es- timated last year the total of$140,000 to $150,000 annually where the economic burden was transferred to all users for those getting the discount. Councilmember Etten questioned if it would be the most cost-effective to lower the base rates overall with that money, or apply it to lining the trunk system as a future City Council decision. Mr. Miller opined that, if you eliminated 300 dis- counts and only had 100 discounts remaining, it would provide an opportunity to lower the base rates for everyone. Mr. Miller noted that page 3 of the RCA pro- vided that financial impact information; but would serve to lower the base rate for everyone, and further soften the blow to those currently receiving a discount but no longer qualifying based on income. On page 2 of the RCA, Councilmember Laliberte questioned what was meant by staff in indicating that written proof of participation in one or more programs was necessary. Mr. Miller responded that a copy of an approval letter, for those ac- cepted into the SNAP program by Ramsey County, would need to be provided to the City, with the County doing the remainder of the work. Mr. Miller clarified that Ramsey County would require them to resubmit their information periodical- ly,but he thought the City could only require the information to be provided on an annual basis. Mayor Roe noted that the SNAP program used 165% of the federal poverty threshold guideline, but questioned if that was similar to other programs. Mr. Miller advised that, while he didn't list them, that threshold was pretty common for all programs, including the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Miller advised that he saw a dis- cussion at the City Council level on whether to use the additional monies to lower base rates or invest in infrastructure as part of their 2015 utility rate discussion. McGehee moved, Laliberte seconded, to accept the proposed draft Utility Dis- count Program in principle and direct staff to bring it back for phasing in for Jan- uary 1, 2015. Roll Call Ayes: Laliberte; McGehee; Willmus; Etten; and Roe. Nays: None. b. Discuss Budget Calendar and Process City Manager Trudgeon reviewed the proposed 2015 Budget Calendar and Pro- cess, as detailed in the RCA and Attachment A dated March 3, 2014. Mr. Trudg- eon reviewed specifics of the process and dates as depicted, with proposed discus- sion/action at regularly scheduled City Council meetings, as well as Work Ses- sions on those dates proposed. Mr. Trudgeon advised that those group discus-