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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, March 20, 2017 Page 25 ognizing other City Council responsibilities and business while keeping the budg- et process on task. Mr. Miller noted ten dates for the remainder of 2017 as part of the 2018 budget process. Depending on potential legislative changes related to statutory deadlines for Economic Development Authorities, Mr. Miller advised that it was possible consideration of that preliminary levy could be moved consistent with that for the city's preliminary levy adoption date. Mr. Miller also noted that, while the City Council typically met with the Finance Commission in August, the City Council may wish to delay that meeting until September and closer to preliminary tax levy adoption. As discussed in January of 2017, Mr. Miller noted the City Council's approval of pushing back the City Manager's recommended budget to July rather than May, allowing the advantage of additional information as part of the information available to inform the budg- et. While there may be several dates that could be eliminated or further com- pressed in the timeline, Mr. Miller clarified that the intent was not to rush the pro- cess but instead to make the process more effective and time -sensitive. As part of the guidance being sought by staff from the City Council related to the timeline, Mr. Miller also requested feedback from individual Councihnembers on the kinds of information packages they preferred for the process. Over the last few years, Mr. Miller referenced the budget summary (Attachment A) and asked if that sufficiently met information needs or if they preferred a different format. Councilmember Willmus stated his comfort level with the proposed 2018 time- line, especially with the additional December meeting scheduled. Specific to At- tachment A and information needs, Councilmember Willmus noted his previous requests for a "cash carry forward" fund balance or some method to track those dollars consistently on an annualized basis at any point in time. When talking about capital needs, Councilmember Willmus opined that it would provide a bet- ter picture if the amount of those carryover funds was known for possible reallo- cation to the CIP; and therefore he would like a fund created to track those sur- pluses annually. Mayor Roe noted it could provide a corresponding report on the balance in the fund whenever known. Councilmember Laliberte agreed with the cash carry forward fund and creating a specific look at what, was available and it weighing into decision-making, also making it clear and transparent for the City Council and the public. Councilmem- ber Laliberte stated that she was comfortable with the timeline, as long as it pro- vided as many opportunities as possible for the public to weigh in. Councilmem- ber Laliberte also spoke in support of staff's suggestion to push this to August and