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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,April 20,2015 Page 8 Councilmember McGehee thanked City Manager Trudgeon and Finance Director Miller for the process followed last year, opining it was the best overall process yet from her perspective, allowing time to consider and revisit issues. Regarding the role of the Finance Commission Councilmember McGehee expressed her in- terest in them spending time on utility fees (e.g. water and sewer) in advance of the budget process. Councilmember McGehee commended staff, assuming that was under the auspices of Communications Director Garry Bowman, on the 2015 Budget sheet now available on the City's website and providing very easy access and a clean budget summary. Councilmember McGehee stated her pleasant sur- prise in her discovery of that positive step forward. Regarding the Department Head budget presentations, Councilmember Willmus sought clarification as to whether that was something that needed to be held in the evening, or could be done during the day, or as done several years ago, held on a weekend. Specific to the role of the Finance Commission, Councilmember Willmus, given that group's involvement and inquisitive nature, suggested the City Manager-recommended budget be bounced off the Finance Commission for their feedback and any areas of concern. Councilmember Willmus opined that this would provide yet another set of eyes to highlight or call attention to things from their perspective. Councilmember Willmus stated that he wanted the Fi- nance Commission to be as involved in the budget process as they wanted to be. Councilmember Laliberte thanked staff for the timeliness of the proposed budget calendar; opining that last year's process went fairly well from her perspective. Councilmember Laliberte further opined that she wasn't concerned with the tim- ing for the initial department presentations; advising that three of the four pro- posed dates for those presentations would work for her schedule. Specific to the Finance Commission's role, Councilmember Laliberte opined that it would be nice for them to weigh in on the City Manager-recommended Budget if the timing worked for that to happen; and suggested the Finance Commission invite the pub- lic to attend their meeting to voice their opinion if doing so at the City Council level was too intimidating. Councilmember Laliberte concurred with the need to review water and sewer fees. Mayor Roe clarified, as confirmed by Finance Director Miller, that utility fees were part of the Commission's work plan. Councilmember Etten, agreeing with the comments of Councilmember Willmus, noted that the whole purpose of the Finance Commission was to review financial matters and advise the City Council, especially given their professional expertise in that area. After having been in place for a year, Councilmember Etten opined that the Commission should have gained a greater understanding that would serve the City Council well in moving forward; and as part of that, suggested the Com- missioners attend the department presentations or watch them at some point to be fully involved and be privy to the same information as the City Council in order