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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 24, 2008 Page 18 to allow the public additional information prior to the upcoming Truth in Taxation public hearing. Mr. Kysylyczyn questioned how the proposed municipal levy increase of three (3) times the rate of personal income growth could be reasonable. Mr. Kysylyczyn referenced a Pioneer Press article by Edward Lotterman in the Sunday, November 23, 2008 edition related to the economy. Mr. Kysylyczyn opined that reserves could be available for additional revenue sources; without accusations being made cautioning spending of those reserves. Individual Council resaonse and direction to staff Councilmember Roe suggested that, as a starting point for discussion, and given the context of a zero percent (0%) levy increase as a lower target, consideration be given to a 2009 budget of $13,500,000 or 5% over the 2008 levy. Councilmember Roe acknowledged that, due to reduce prop- erty valuation, such an amount would prove a challenge for the City. Councilmember Roe noted that, related to COLA and wages, the City Council needed to be respective of the parity between union and non- union employees to not place an undue burden on one group as opposed to another. Councilmember Roe suggested that the City Council seriously consider Councilmember Willmus' suggestion to reduce City Council- member wages. Councilmember Willmus noted that his target was more in the neighbor- hood of $13,850,000; however, he concurred with Councilmember Roe's numbers, opining that it would be more difficult to achieve them. Councilmember Ihlan opined that funding of the skating center as a tax in- crease, which she had opposed as a funding method, was an unfair burden to place on taxpayers given the current economy. Councilmember Ihlan suggested that the state legislature's maximum levy increase of 3.5% should be the maximum considered levy, with a target goal more prefer- able at zero percent, and more in line with taxpayer expectations in the current economy. Councilmember Ihlan admitted that such a goal would be difficult, but could not be achieved unless it was aimed at. Councilmember Pust opined that it was impossible to achieve that goal unless serious consideration was given to cutting staff, and specifically asked Councilmember Ihlan if she was willing to have that discussion and cut staff.