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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, August 24, 2009 Page 7 Mr. Miller noted that the Springsted contract had been included in tonight's packet information and the work to be performed under Option 1 (i.e., data gath- ering, calculating of individual program costs) and would not go beyond that Op- tion 1 as outlined, and that it would be up to the City Council to determine how to use this information. Mr. Miller further noted that the 2009 Budget Spending Plan, as provided by staff, did not suggest that current service levels are set, and that the City Council would need to make that determination following back and forth dialogue, without requiring final decisions at this point, that would be ar- rived at by December when their final spending decisions were set. Councilmember Ihlan clarified that the information presented by staff consisted of an analysis of the 2009 budget; and that a proposed 2010 Budget or City Man- ager-recommended budget for 2010 was not available. Councilmember Ihlan questioned what the public attending tonight's meeting were to comment on with- out aproposed budget, and what the City Council could discuss without it as well. Mr. Miller concurred, noting that the information provided by staff was to serve as a launching pad and provide a context for discussions on where current dollars were allocated, and which programs should be funded in 2010. Mr. Miller ad- vised that additional discussion tonight may address how to proceed in first estab- lishing community needs over the next year; recognizing large block obligations coming on line in 2010; and reiterated the need for everyone to acclimate to this new BFO process in keeping discussion on an aggregate, rather than line item, level; and allow the process time to evolve. Councilmember Ihlan expressed her concern in being asked to make a decision on a Preliminary Levy without a proposed budget before her for analysis; and further expressed her qualms in the BFO process without that documentation in place. Councilmember Roe clarified that, on September 14, 2009, the City Council needed to pass a Preliminary, not-to-exceed 2010 Levy that was connected to the 2010 Budget. Mr. Miller noted that, historically, the City has set the Preliminary Levy and Budget on the same day for context, but that it was not a requirement; and that the final Budget was not needed for adoption until December. Mr. Miller noted the need to consider, define, and maximize additional non-tax revenue sources (i.e., gas franchise, street light utility) as part of that discussion, and to think of the property tax levy as the last piece. Councilmember Roe noted that water, sewer, and permit fees were areas of spend- ing and budget not even talked about in the 200 listed programs and activities; and that in a true BFO process, part of the overall picture should include setting fees to cover expenses, and this should be part of the discussion as well.