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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 8, 2014 Page 11 Councilmember Laliberte opined that this was a bad decision to fund costs in that manner, creating an ongoing gap to fill, bringing the body back to how to use re- serves. Councilmember Laliberte noted that those were tax dollars collected from homeowners, and it had just adopted a new policy to move and replenish and fill those gaps. Councilmember Laliberte opined that she had a problem filling in funds not doing well versus funds doing well if it meant discussing payback of funds that were used inappropriately. Willmus moved, Roe seconded, reduce line A10 to make use of current reserves— by amount of $175,500; applying all of the reduction from the General Fund, making the$30,000 Parks &Recreation Fund whole. Mayor Roe stated that he supported the concept of tax relief and using the reserve policy, but as confirmed by Mr. Miller, most of the approximately $450,000 above the high end target in aggregate funds represented excess License Center Funds. Mayor Roe noted that previous discussions about reserve levels for the License Center had yet to be resolved, but advised that he could support this mo- tion based on the shift this year in property tax payment responsibility from com- mercial to single-family residential properties due to their higher values. Mayor Roe opined that it made sense to look at reserves for the purpose of tax relief; while fully understanding there was a budget gap or reducing spending to elimi- nate that gap. Councilmember McGehee stated that this was against advice and an inappropriate form to do it, as previously addressed by Councilmember Laliberte. Coun- cilmember McGehee noted that the License Center Funds had been set aside in- tentionally for new construction or remodeling city-owned space to save the an- nual $60,000 lease amount for the current facility to house the License Center; with those discussions yet to be resolved. Councilmember McGehee stated that just to facilitate a discussion and action tonight, pending that discussion, she saw no reason to promise those funds elsewhere. Councilmember McGehee noted an- other fund yet to be addressed was the Communications Fund, and based on the community survey indicating residents relied on written materials (e.g. City News newsletter), she suggested a better job could be done toward civic engagement and communication by expanding the number or format of that instrument to communicate with the public more effectively. Councilmember McGehee opined that those reserves have yet to be designated, and they could also be allocated or tax relief, but until those discussions are held, even though this is a difficult tax year, it didn't make good policy to reallocate funds without that broader discus- sion. Councilmember Willmus clarified for Councilmember McGehee's benefit that last year,both he and Councilmember Laliberte had voted against that policy.