CC_Minutes_2016_0516 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, May 16, 2016 Page 25 Councilmember Willmus admitted that, when this post card was initially put to- gether, he questioned the simplicity of it and whether it provided useful infor- mation, opining that he didn't find it useful at all. Councilmember Willmus noted that a number of the comments received last year didn't even pertain to the budg- et, even though he gleaned more useful information from those comments. Coun- cilmember Willmus opined that what he found missing was the context of each category and how it impacted other areas of service or how each offset the other, which was not spelled out. If the intent was to repeat this effort, Councilmember Willmus asked that the expense and revenue sides both needed to be provided. City Manager Trudgeon sought more specifics for direction to staff, noting a lot of information and context could be addressed in an article; with only a response card made available without any categories or other versions as discussed. Mr. Trudgeon noted that the article provided more freedom to explain, and suggested leaving the post card without accompanying data. Mayor Roe and Councilmember Laliberte supported City Manager Trudgeon's recommendation. Councilmember Laliberte noted that, over the last 1.5 years, she continued to ad- vocate for an easy to understand way for the public to understand the budget, whether through a pie chart or list; and at same time for last 1.5 years, saying give to people in easy to understand way and she continued to advocate for that simple snapshot. While it was difficult to provide everything, Councilmember Laliberte spoke in support of a quick, easy visual for public information. Mayor Roe concurred. Councilmember McGehee concurred also; nothing that she found the cards useful even if not addressing the budget specifically, but allowing for 250 residents to provide additional input that were not usually heard from or attending the annual public hearing on the budget. Councilmember Etten agreed with the format and additional information provide in the article; and expressed his appreciation as well for the additional feedback whether related to the budget or not. Councilmember Etten agreed with Coun- cilmember Willmus on the simplicity of the post card that may have resulted in incorrect feedback from the community due to its lack of detail that may serve to mislead some of the City Council's decision-making. Mayor Roe asked if the framework being requested was to show budget expendi- tures by function not just the impact to homeowners; with Councilmembers Etten and Willmus in agreement and Councilmember McGehee disagreeing. As such, staff was so directed.