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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 6,2014 Page 21 Ayes: Willmus, Laliberte, Etten, McGehee, and Roe. Nays: None. City Manager Trudgeon publically thanked Human Resources Bacon for her work in reducing costs while others were experiencing ever-increasing costs; and ex- pressed his appreciation for her work in reshaping how the City approached its benefit package compared with other communities, especially this year with her negotiating the increase from 4% down to 1%, serving as a testament to her hard work. Ms. Bacon thanked the two hundred employees who participated in making that happen,noting that she hadn't accomplished it on her own. b. 12. Budget Items a. City Budget and Community Survey Discussion Councilmember McGehee reviewed her review of the budget going forward from the community survey perspective, noting that more pathways and trails had been installed as requested by a number of residents. However, Councilmember McGehee noted the need to make sure adequate funds were allocated to maintain them during the winter, including HVAC costs for new park buildings as they come on line. Mayor Roe clarified that the HVAC costs for new park buildings were included in the proposed 2015 operating budget. Specific to infrastructure improvement, and the community responses about water and sewer services, Councilmember McGehee noted that the City currently had the highest base rate and was thus encouraging water waste, when that was the opposite of what was desired in encouraging water conservation. Councilmember Willmus noted that he had previously brought up the survey question related to property taxes, and changes in those responses from 1998 to 2014; opining that the survey format needed to remain consistent and the question asked more frequently. Councilmember Willmus noted the response rates from those two survey timings, from 58% in 1998 to 40% in 2014 as to those favoring property taxes at a level to retain current service levels; and encouraged a close watch on those responses; and asked that it be explored more and feedback re- ceived from staff as well based on their perspective. In relation to that, Mayor Roe advised that he personally took that into account when the levy level was set and those improved efficiencies or better practices put in place. Over the last few years with state aid level changes, Mayor Roe noted the number of things the City had to absorb, including the $200,000 additional cuts in 2009 and market levy credit fiasco that was eliminated, requiring the City