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Truth in Taxation pgs 1-8 Regular City Council Meeting pgs 9-15 Monday, December O1, 2008 Page 5 situation. Mr. Youngquist advised that his employer was currently laying off employees. Mr. Youngquist opined that, during a crisis, business were taught three things, and asked that the City Council consider them as well as they attempted to lower the proposed budget: 1) What is absolutely necessary; 2) What can be reworked for efficiency and cost-savings; 3) What can be eliminated? Mr. Youngquist challenged Mr. Miller to return to the City Council with a presentation based on what could be eliminated. Mr.Youngquist opined that the City Council had a tough job ahead of them; however, he concluded by stating that "we're pulling for you." Bruce Brannigan, 2082 Cohannsey Boulevard 1VIr. Brannigan advised that he'd served as Block Captain for 25 years and was represent- ing 32 families, most facing Villa Park between County Road B to McCarron's Boule- vard. Mr. Brannigan, representing those families, spoke for the group in their support of the services provided by the City's Police Department. Mr. Brannigan, in speaking on his personal behalf, and based on his budgeting experience in the business world, opined that the City budget had been thoughtfully put together, and appeared to be reasonable from his perspective. Mr. Brannigan advised that he was sym- pathetic to those living on a fixed income; and noted that his family was currently putting four students through college at the same time. Mr. Brannigan opined that he was willing to pay the increased taxes detailed with the proposed plan, and even more if necessary to maintain the services provided in a first-ring suburb. Mr. Brannigan advised that, while he understood the pressures on today's taxpayers, this was a good budget and he was willing to pay his share. Gary Grefenberg, 91 Mid Oaks Lane Mr. Grefenberg publicly thanked Finance Director Chris Miller and the Administrative Executive Assistant Margaret Driscoll for their provision of requested materials related to the proposed budget. Mr. Grefenberg advised that, as a former employee of a small state agency experienced with budgeting and lobbying for those budgets, he tried to research things as much as possible, utilizing that expertise. Mr. Grefenberg opined that the City's budget process had been established prior to the bottom following out of the market and reduced fuel and energy costs were realized. Mr. Grefenberg noted previous public comments during tonight's hearing regarding sacrifices being shared by all in Roseville; however, he noted that several of the City's union con- tracts had already been negotiated with a 3.5% COLA increase. Mr. Grefenberg, from his past status as a public employee, opined that public employees were not sacrosanct from this economic situation, and suggested that there could be adjustments made in fu- ture negotiations. Mr. Grefenberg opined that it was difficult for him to determine how those on fixed incomes were supposed to support those experiencing comfortable in-