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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, September 17, 2018 <br /> Page 4 <br /> their own separate funds so when the Council is looking at the fund number it is <br /> not lumped in all together. <br /> Mayor Roe thought that would be appreciated by the Council. He noted that <br /> whatever needs to be done to make that work, would be the Council direction. <br /> Mayor Roe stated in regard to the Communications fund, because that depends on <br /> cable franchise fees and the industry is changing, he appreciated that the Commis- <br /> sion actually looked at increasing the target to make sure the Council is aware of <br /> how that is going to look. He thought that was something everyone will need to <br /> keep in their minds moving forward because not only is there potential that at the <br /> end of the current ten-year franchise the City has with the cable provider in the <br /> community, assuming the cable providers get to the end of that period with every- <br /> thing the same, the City is not sure what is going to happen after that in terms of <br /> the industry. He thought the City is already seeing trends where the amount of <br /> revenue the City is getting under the current franchise is going down quarter by <br /> quarter based on changes in people's behavior. That really had not been as much <br /> of a trend until the most recent year. Mayor Roe noted this was something to <br /> keep in mind moving forward as well as looking at the need to fund the City's <br /> communications activities and is the franchise revenue going to do that or are al- <br /> ternative revenue sources, whether levy sources or some sort of utility franchise <br /> fee, something the Commission and Council will have to look at. <br /> Chair Schroeder thought the Finance Commission should review the fund targets <br /> as part of their ongoing duties. She did not think this was something that could be <br /> done once and forgotten. <br /> Commissioner Hodder stated it was helpful to see the expenditure rates over time. <br /> The Commission was aware that the funds were operating on a yearly basis, so <br /> the Commission did not set the target too low or too high. <br /> Councilmember McGehee stated this year she understood the City is getting very <br /> close to the 35% operating threshold and she wondered if that still felt comforta- <br /> ble for the General Fund. <br /> Commissioner Bachhuber stated the Commission felt for the General Fund, that <br /> 35% is okay as a low target but is close to an uncomfortable range if the fund <br /> would fall below that. He understood that relying on the reserve to cover funding <br /> is an issue and the Commission would concur that the City needs to wean them- <br /> selves from relying on the reserve over time. <br /> Mayor Roe confirmed the council's request that the Finance Commission and <br /> City Staff move forward with this plan and bring it back to the City Council for <br /> finalization. <br />