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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 13,2015 Page 5 At the request of Mayor Roe, City Manager Trudgeon confirmed that the project- ed costs for the City of Roseville for the new staff positions was inclusive of ben- efits, not just salary. In his recommendation for using reserves, City Manager Trudgeon advised that he was proposing the use of$375,000 in General Fund reserves to moderate the 2016 levy increase. While he recognized this was not a sustainable practice long-term, Mr. Trudgeon noted this would leave that reserve fund at 37% projected, in line with the City Council policy of holding reserves between 35% and 45%. City Manager Trudgeon publically acknowledged the work of Department Heads and their respective staffs in allowing reductions for the 2016 budget from the 2015 budget as outlined in the RCA. Discussion among Councilmembers and staff included projected retirement of the current Fire Marshal in 2016 and planned staffing of that position by adding those duties to one of the Battalion Chief positions based on their expertise; continued elimination of the Fire Inspector position and Fleet/Facilities Superintendent posi- tions as addressed in 2015; clarification that the $419,000 identified as additional expenditures in the 2016 property tax-supported budget did not include transfers, nor were they specific to line item expenses. Further discussion included the eliminated request for medical supplies clarified as those over and above current supplies replenished as required from Allina to the Fire Department; and clarification of the tax levy and impact projected for homeowners (lines 175 — 183 of the RCA) based only on the City portion of the tax bill and for a median value home, at this time verified by Finance Director Miller at $216,000. In conclusion, City Manager Trudgeon reviewed identified priorities and goals as they connected to the proposed 2016 budget and tax levy through growing non- property tax revenues through expansion of City business enterprises; through leveraging partnerships to reduce costs while increasing productivity; by reorgan- izing service delivery to more efficiently utilize tax dollars and lessen future costs; and through the strategic use of reserve funds. Mr. Trudgeon advised that a lot of staff focus and hard work had gone into this proposed budget; and from his perspective, opined it was the absolute minimum moving forward and represented staff's best efforts in identifying what was needed to continue to operate realisti- cally. While recognizing there may be some desire to further lower those num- bers, Mr. Trudgeon opined it would hurt service delivery, and noted that if the levy capital increases were factored out, an increase of only 1.4% was identified in the operational portion of the budget. Mr. Trudgeon noted that past City Coun- cil directives, targets, and discussions had driven development of this recom- mended budget.