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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 23, 2017 Page 26 Councilmember Laliberte stated that she didn't make up her mind hard and fast on any of the final budget components before making it known to the public. While not minding including legislative and assessment impact information in the process, Councilmember Laliberte cautioned that neither it nor a preliminary levy figure would create a line in the sand for her but could allow a more honest way for the City Manager and staff to work from. On that same token, Councilmem- ber Laliberte noted that the City Manager and staff needed to be aware of what council members were saying. As an example, Councilmember Laliberte stated that it shouldn't be a big surprise to hear her same comments year after year that the City Manager recommended budget conform to the city's cost of living ad- justment (COLA) policy. While unsure if setting a particular levy number early in the process, Councilmember Laliberte agreed it should be part of the conversa- tion to share those thoughts with each other and staff. Mayor Roe noted that the flip side of the City Council providing levy feedback to staff was getting that input from staff on cost impacts earlier in the process, as part of Department Head review of what those projected impacts may big and bigger issues to consider or be aware of. Mayor Roe stated that those things could influence him on the final levy increase, including once the external factors and tax impacts were available along with those internal factors for costs and budget drivers without each department. Mayor Roe suggested that would also be a good place for Finance Commission feedback before the City Council makes that call for staff. Technically as to when that legislative information becomes available (e.g. June), Councilmember Etten noted the impact that could have on the annual budget, but not known before July. Given the proposed timeline, with that information avail- able then and the previous year's annual audit received in May, Councilmember Etten suggested it may be appropriate to receive the City Manager recommended budget, including non-tax revenue and CPI information, coming later in the over- all budget process. Councilmember Etten noted ongoing information that would impact the overall budget and levy, and significantly reduce or increase the levy. While liking the current process, Councilmember Etten recognized the need to continue looking at the budget process as openly as possible. Councilmember McGehee stated her agreement with Councilmember Etten, not- ing that she was supportive of massive amounts of information being provided throughout the process, opining that the more available and as soon as possible, the better (e.g. anticipated or known property acquisitions or developments). Councilmember McGehee noted the importance of the CIP to her personally; and while it was being received somewhat earlier, she was getting the impression that staff wanted council members to weigh in earlier, which she was happy to do. However, Councilmember McGehee agreed with that but also noted that council members needed as much information as they could get beyond legislative input