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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 25, 2017 Page 5 precluded any future discussion. Councilmember McGehee further opined that there was no reason or necessity to preclude further work, particularly with the variety of options provided by staff, including her proposed Option E. While her proposal looked like a high levy, Councilmember McGehee stated that the impact would actually result in an amount less than the City Manager Recommended Levy. In general, Councilmember McGehee stated that she wasn't pushing for any particular option, but wanted to keep all options open for further considera- tion and discussion by not having the not-to-exceed levy limit set so low it pre- cluded further discussion and additional study. Councilmember Willmus noted that the increase in the City Manager Recom- mended Levy increase, coupled with the proposed EDA levy and expected in- crease of utility rates was approximately 1.3% and in line with inflation, repre- senting a responsible total cost impact and budget option as put forward. Councilmember McGehee agreed with that statement, but also noted that it didn't address the options that had been made available. Councilmember Laliberte complimented the City Manager on his recommended budget; but reiterated past positions she'd held in being open to use of reserves for one-time expenses but not for daily operations; with this recommended budget not breaking down CIP funds still unaddressed, and allowing for use of reserves in the right way and as intended by using monies previously collected from taxpayers to do so. Speaking to comments of Councilmember Willmus specific to inflation, Coun- cilmember Etten agreed that made some sense, but clarified that part of the in- crease was for capital needs outside the General Operating budget that he'd con- sider beyond inflation. Since these needs were not taken care of in the past, Councilmember Etten stated that it resulted in the need to push above inflation to address long-term issues for the city. While recognizing Councilmember Willmus' point about inflationary levy increases as the preferred norm, Coun- cilmember Etten noted that it missed the rationale in setting the levy above infla- tion to address those issues. Specific to Councilmember Laliberte's comments, Councilmember Etten noted that one-time expenses were no where near$800,000 and may prove a great spot for using those reserves. However, Councilmember Etten opined that those reserves may be needed and remain an unknown until later this year. With the not-to-exceed preliminary levy, Councilmember Etten stated his wish to not put the city in a corner and preferred not to pass a limited not-to- exceed number and then be unable to address issues if year-end figures came in above current expectations. With the cash carry forward fund, Councilmember McGehee opined that it seemed to be a more responsible use of reserves and would be viewed differently from an accounting standpoint.