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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, Apri113, 2009 Page 10 • Discussion included reprioritization of programs and services; approximate cost of $15,000 for this study of tax-supported programs and services; and considera- tion of Town Hall meetings and receipt of electronic feedback from residents at those meetings, at a cost of approximately $3 - 4,000 per session, in developing and/or maintaining a level of services and programs. Councilmember Pust personally thanked staff for organizing disparate past con- versations for consideration of an alternative budgeting process. Councilmember Pust spoke in support of the expenditure of the $15,000 to hire a consultant to as- sist staff; however, she spoke in opposition to additional expenses for electronic voting, opining that, while nice, this was an unnecessary expenditure at this time. Councilmember Pust further opined that a bigger issue would be to make sure a sufficient number of residents were in attendance at the Town Hall meetings to ensure an accurate picture of the community. Councilmember Roe opined that citizen feedback was important; and that the im- portant thing was to hold the meetings after the data had been compiled by staff and Springsted, but not at the end of the process and simply a reaction to the pro- posed 2010 budget. Councilmember Roe reiterated his preference for early com- munity feedback in the budget process. • Councilmember Ihlan sought additional information from staff on where contin- gency funding for the study would come from. Mr. Miller advised that annually, in the General Fund, a small amount of funds were kept aside for unforeseen circumstances or events throughout the year; and noted that the City had set aside $33,000 that was not specifically designated for 2009. Mr. Miller noted that, historically, the City usually expended between $15- 20,000, with some years $75,000 needed (i.e., at the height of diseased and haz- ardous tree removal). Mr. Miller advised that staff felt this was important enough to pursue to make permanent corrections to the City's budget structure and com- pare programs and services throughout the City departments. Councilmember Pust requested additional information from staff at a future meet- ing related to the potential need for additional funding for the Fire Relief Associa- tion's pension plan and unfunded liabilities to avoid future surprises. Mr. Miller advised that he would provide that information with the best informa- tion available at this time. Councilmember Johnson echoed Councilmember Pust's comments related to the Springsted study; however, he also spoke in support of the efficiencies in using the electronic method to determine community preferences. •