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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 2008 Page 20 Roe Comment #3 Councilmember Roe, in light of the bid process approved at the last Coun- cil meeting and current reduced fuel costs, requested that staff provide Councilmembers with information as to how that impacted all department fuel budgets, specifically in the Police Department. Councilmember Roe sought clarification if 2008 budgeted amounts may not have covered ac- tual costs, and whether that had been adjusted in the 2009 budget accord- ingly for mileage driven or gas used, and sought final amounts to-date. Councilmember Roe noted that there may not be substantial savings, but from this new perspective there may be a need to reduce projected 2009 budget dollars. Roe Comment #4 No action. Roe Comment #5 No action. Roe Comment #6 Councilmember Roe suggested that, while not an actual budget action, staff quantifies utility and maintenance costs as discussions were pursued regarding potential use and/or sale of Fire Station #2; and whether it made sense to keep it as City property or put it back on tax rolls by selling it. Pust Comments In general, Councilmember Pust opined that the "elephant in the room" remained the percentage of staff costs as part of doing the business of pub- lic service, representing approximately 80% of the City's budget. Coun- cilmember Pust noted that, while individual Councilmembers were all in- terested in cutting the levy, there was no real way to significantly do so unless staff costs were addressed; noting that this was not a popular dis- cussion. Councilmember Pust addressed proposed 3.5% cost of living ad- justments (COLA) for each of the next two years; step increases for em- ployees; and health care increases; all of which were contract issues. Councilmember Pust further addressed Public Employee Retirement As- sociation (PERA) benefits and their corresponding increase based on sal- ary increases. Councilmember Pust opined that she was fully supportive of public em- ployees, and honored the work they performed; however, she further opined that this was an unpopular discussion that was necessary for the City Council to hold if they were going to hold serious discussion to re- duce the budget and tax levy. Councilmember Pust noted that the majority of her questions and com- ments were related to that reality and making those hard choices related to