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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 13, 2015 Page 7 cil policy. Councilmember McGehee opined that the City's governance would be better served by not fixing a levy percentage before incorporating CIP infor- mation early in the budget process. Regarding the budget in general, Councilmember McGehee expressed apprecia- tion for and opined that this was the best presentation she'd seen as far as clarity; and not just how it's always been done which was not always the best way. By including the CIP, utility charges, and other fees as part of this initial thought pro- cess before November, Councilmember McGehee opined it would provide a bet- ter picture of the total potential impact on homeowners, and would keep that im- pact in the picture earlier in the game. Councilmember McGehee suggested it be- come the practice for staff to vet the CIP, utilities and fees, as part of presenting numbers to the City Council and Finance Committee before moving forward in the process. Specific to the CIP, City Manager Trudgeon clarified that the numbers provided in the CIP are those based on previous City Council discussions and therefore programmed in accordingly. Mr. Trudgeon advised that the intent was to provide opportunities in August to dig deeper into the CIP for accuracy and timing up- dates, but the proposed CIP budget currently reflects those past discussions and decisions. Mr. Trudgeon acknowledged Councilmember McGehee's desire to have information available earlier for the total package driving the budget and level, as well as the total cost of utilities. Specific to CIP funding, Mayor Roe noted it was made up of two-parts: those things needed for purchase next year, and the long term costs that need to be funded from the tax levy. Mayor Roe noted it wasn't a"one for one"deal, and as an example, the 2015 CIP funding had been saved for over the last few years similar to a savings account. Mayor Roe noted an apparent disconnect between the initial annual $398,000 projected over the next twenty years was currently on- ly a best guess, and additional dollars were added in 2015, as they would be going forward in the future to adjust that savings account adequately fund those items as they're updated annually. Councilmember McGehee clarified that she was talking about the levy funding needed to support those line items annually; and the need to review them to de- termine their accuracy and whether the $398,000 set aside is sufficient. Mayor Roe concurred that, at this point in the budget process, understanding and vetting utility fees and other fees, as well as the CIP, would be beneficial earlier on based on the most up-to-date information. Mayor Roe noted this may suggest that, as the Finance Commission reviews the budget schedule, adjustments may be required for the 2017 process that would incorporate the CIP and fee schedule by this time in 2016.