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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 23,2017 Page 23 Mayor Roe suggested the need to make big decisions earlier in the process than done in the past, specifically setting a preliminary not-to-exceed levy increase to inform the City Manager recommended budget earlier in the process. As a key point, Mayor Roe opined that once Ramsey County Assessor information on property values and any shifts between residential and commercial, in addition to other legislative impacts, had been received, that may prove a good point to ob- tain public input to guide the City Manager recommended budget. Mayor Roe stated that may answer several points: allowing people to know what was coming, and to take a step to receive public input at that point and respond accordingly. Mayor Roe noted that the next stages in the process would then allow for a public explanation of what was included or not included in the budget going forward and rationale for it. Mayor Roe opined that this earlier input on larger budget items would allow for more specific targeted information on those decisions throughout the process. Councilmember Willmus agreed with the comments of Mayor Roe. Specific to the budget response cards, Councilmember Willmus stated his strong interest in maintainingthat one-on-one contact with his constituents and allowing for more g detailed subsequent conversations with those taxpayers choosing to participate in that way. Councilmefnber Willmus stated that one thing he found missing since the inception of the Finance Commission was not utilizing them for review of the City Manager recommended budget annually before presentation to the City Council. Councilmember Willmus opined that they should be given the oppor- tunity, with public comment at that level as well, to weigh in beyond use of re- serves, but looking at the big picture in addition to the capital improvement pro- gram (CIP). Overall, Councilmember Laliberte agreed that she found last year's process pro- ductive; and suggested if there were additional or specific steps, that they be in- corporated into that process versus creating additional steps. Councilmember Laliberte also spoke in support of continuing use of the cards, and welcomed spe- cific conversations about issues on the cards; in addition to independent feedback received by individual council members beyond the cards. Councilmember Laliberte suggested it would be nice for the Finance Commission to review the annual process and make recommendations; agreeing that more ways were needed to plug them into the process. Councilmember Etten clarified with Mayor Roe his apparent suggestion that the not-to-exceed levy percentage be provided before and used to inform the City Manager recommended budget(e.g. early spring). Mayor Roe confirmed that as his intent, allowing the City Manager to present his recommended budget and rationale as to whether or not the city was able to meet that levy percentage based on other considerations,providing an opportunity early in the process for the Council as a whole and staff to work out that levy range, and