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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 15, 2015 Page 29 Throughout the whole process, Mayor Roe expressed confidence in the City's Employee Benefit Committee and their past work and ability to get buy-in from staff on changes coming forward, an important and well-appreciated part of the process and signifying the value of the City's employees. Recognizing that the City spent considerable time last year in developing the CO- LA formula, Councilmember Laliberte asked that it not be reinvented annually. Councilmember Willmus noted that there was a significant difference in the timeframe for those calculations, which could vary from one quarter to another. Mayor Roe noted final calculations would be based on a twelve-month cycle. New Personnel From a broad and general viewpoint, Councilmember Willmus advised that one factor in his consideration of any new position, not only for the 2016 budget, would be long-term impacts. Councilmember Willmus noted the expansion of FTE's over the last five years, and 10 year FTE history as provided by Finance Director Miller in his financial report; and asked that this be a cognizant part of future considerations. Within either the levy supported or non-levy supported positions, Councilmember Etten stated he would look to reduce the number of proposed FTE's. Coun- cilmember Etten agreed with Councilmember Willmus, that it has to be paid for long-term and therefore would look to limit those new positions. Councilmember McGehee stated she would be less concerned with those new po- sitions not on the tax supported side; as long as funding was available going for- ward. Councilmember McGehee noted staff's rationale in requesting each posi- tion; and therefore, was inclined to go along with their suggestion. However, Councilmember McGehee stated she was not as inclined to approve additional positions that would increase property taxes. Mayor Roe agreed that where positions were paid by fees or other revenue (e.g. IT and License Center), he could support them, even though he would like to have a better understanding through more background information beyond theory for license center revenues. Recognizing that most IT positions would be funded through JPA's, Mayor Roe asked for a more clear understanding of city responsi- bilities to make sure of the entire source of funding or additional property tax dol- lars required. Mayor Roe advised that he was not opposed to using tax levy dol- lars for important and necessary positions, and if needed to perform the job ade- quately. However, Mayor Roe noted the need to make the case for any changes in FTE to those paying those salaries.