CC_Minutes_2014_0825 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, August 25,2014 Page 25 Councilmember Willmus stated that he had no issue with having the note on re- serves, and expressed his disagreement with Councilmember Etten's comments, opining that he didn't see it setting a trend by including it, when considering all funds in totality. Councilmember Willmus noted that, in the past when the City had a specific property tax relief fund, such an option made sense, and opined that the City Council should look at creating such a fund again going forward. Councilmember Laliberte spoke in support of such an at-a-glance document, and asked if it was Mayor Roe's intent to have an updated copy at each budget discus- sion as it evolved. Mayor Roe clarified that this was his intent with each iteration clearly identified by dateand/or other identifiers. Councilmember Laliberte stated that she was not opposed to the use of reserves, but spoke in support of a future policy discussion about when and where reserves were used and for what purpose; but having a line specific to one-time use was agreeable to her. Councilmember Etten noted that the HRA tracked their budget and levy by fund, but in support of Mayor Roe's sample document, the City had many more funds to track than the HRA. Councilmember Etten noted that he was not seeking mi- nor changes in such a document from staff, but larger subtractions and/or addi- tions. Based on reserves and the proposed policy recommendation from the Finance Commission, Councilmember McGehee noted that if reserve levels were below or above the policy target, having that information and immediately knowing if the reserves were on the plus or minus side would allow the City Council the ability to make a decision and not push those reserves in one direction or the other. Councilmember Willmus spoke in support of the notations showing above or at midpoint, preferring such an assumption as important information, and indicating that there is a bottom at which you may consider using reserves while not taking them down to zero. Mayor Roe noted that the document could clearly state where the particular re- serve fund was at within the target range; and further noted that until the City Manager recommended budget was presented, the reserve use could be assumed to be at zero until he makes a recommendation to use a certain amount from re- serves. Finance Director Miller noted that staff had presented many different documents through many budget processes; and several budget cycles ago, had provided a similar document to the sample prepared by Mayor Roe. Mr. Miller spoke in