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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, August 17, 2015 <br /> Page 17 <br /> Mayor Roe suggested if the Finance Commission wanted to look at it, the City <br /> Council could bring it up at a later date. <br /> As noted in the RCA, lines 44—48, Chair Schroeder noted future work plan items <br /> for the Finance Commission, seeking any input from the City Council as they <br /> moved forward or guidelines they wished to share. <br /> Discussion included the intent and general philosophy for the Police Forfeiture <br /> Fund and utilization similar to that of the PIP and how those funds were ear- <br /> marked. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Laliberte, City Attorney Gaughan briefly re- <br /> viewed the restrictions and regulations for these funds, and offered to provide that <br /> information to the Finance Commission prior to their review and as a guide for <br /> their discussions, duly noted appreciatively by Chair Schroeder. <br /> Mayor Roe referenced an excellent memorandum prepared by Police Chief <br /> Mathwig several years ago emphasizing the reporting and budgeting aspect which <br /> was often not as obvious as other city finances. <br /> Councilmember Etten noted that, when the Finance Commission had been creat- <br /> ed, part of the discussion involved how to present finance documents for the City <br /> Council and community that were easier to understand. While recognizing that <br /> some changes had been made and the budget process continued to evolve, Coun- <br /> cilmember Etten asked the Commission for their input on those improvements <br /> and whether additional revisions should be made. <br /> Chair Schroeder responded that it was evident during the Commission's review of <br /> various documents, there were different audiences needing different formats, <br /> whether documents for presentation to the City Council or to the public through <br /> the city's newsletter. Chair Schroeder noted that Mayor Roe had drafted a format <br /> that the Commission liked and were adopting it for some information, and would <br /> continue to revise materials. Chair Schroeder encouraged input from anyone, not- <br /> ing that the Commission was made up of volunteers working in the finance field, <br /> so they looked at things differently and wanted to make sure materials were pre- <br /> sented for the particular audience in way that made the most sense, whether sum- <br /> mary versus detail or whatever format worked best. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte recognized Councilmember McGehee's introduction of <br /> the budget feedback post card, opining that was a great step to obtain community <br /> feedback. In addition to that as she'd brought up in the past, Councilmember <br /> Laliberte expressed interest in a dashboard for the general public that could be <br /> shown on a regular basis and updated throughout the year that provided a clear <br /> visual rather than more details, and providing the budget at a glance for the aver- <br /> age citizen. <br />