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Finance Commission Minutes September 10, 2019 Page 5 of 12 seven-year project. He noted for a city project he would consider that to be short-term and not long-term. He hesitates to say that this money cannot be used for any project that lasts longer than a few years because there could be things that come up that will take a several year commitment that would be potentially unexpected that the city might want to use that fund for. He was ok in saying that the Emerald Ash Borer project is not the best of this money at this time, but he hesitated to set a project length. Commissioner Reif explained the city has an annual budget process and when commitments are made going out beyond the next year, he did not think that was a prudent way to move forward. Chair Hodder wondered if the long-term amendment needed to be added to the motion because it is a point well taken. He thought Commissioner Harold’s point was well taken because there are a lot of city projects that extend long term. He did not think long-term needed to be in the motion. Commissioner Harold reviewed a few examples where a need might come up that is critical for the money but may last more than a year and he was not sure if the Commission should set a limit on the time needed to get a project completed in order to use the funds. Commissioner Lee noted with working in the government sector it can take a long time to get a project going and funded. The first year a project happens that is between budget cycles may be an opportunity to use the Reserve Fund but after that there would be enough time to go through the levy and budget process and if it is going to take any number of years it should be thought to have it funded through the budget and no longer an emergency. At that point he would not want to use the reserve fund money for that. Commissioner Murray explained the assumption has been that the $600,000 is going to be there and it may not be. There is also a commitment to the Reserve Fund to shore up the other funds if there is a shortfall so some of it is already committed potentially. It would be very risky to indicate the Emerald Ash Borer program would be funded or anything else outside of the budget process. Chair Hodder indicated that was his thinking. There are so many competing needs which will be discussed further in the meeting that he was not comfortable doing that without going through the normal budget and levy process. He asked if the amendment to the motion should be removed and state it should be funded through the budget and levy process. Commission Reif proposed that amendment to the amendment. “Fund through the budget and levy process.” Chair Hodder noted that is the original motion. The amendment was removed from the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Establish A Recommendation on the 2020 City Manager Recommended Budget