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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 14, 2009 Page 11 Mr. Miller advised that staff normally spent approximately $80,000 for national elections in even years, and in odd years, the amount needed was closer to $30,000; however, he noted that 2010 was a national election year, and the total amount would be needed. Mr. Miller noted that, in the past, staff applied an an- nual amount to this fund to avoid the overall peaks and valleys. Councilmember Pust noted Staff Recommendation #4 related to inflationary im- pacts; suggesting that, given the challenges in the current economy with it in a de- flationary situation, this inflationary projection may not be needed. Mr. Miller, noting that retail costs had currently been reduced, advised that the 2009 budget had been significantly reduced based on locking into fuel contracts (ending year-end 2009) and potential increases in negotiated contracts at that time; in addition to addressing inflationary impacts over the last several years, with inflationary impacts to the City addressed negatively and did not keep up with positive inflationary trends. Further discussion included 2010 and 2011 financial projections and impacts to inflationary trends; and vehicle and equipment replacement rationale. Mr. Miller noted that there had been no vehicle replacements in 2009, with six squads already beyond their optimum life, with another six coming in 2010. Mr. Miller advised that, just to get back on track and move toward sustainability, the proposed funding was necessary; and reminded Councilmembers that this did not begin to address facility and park equipmentlstructure replacement. Additional discussion included the status of the City's rolling stock among de- partments; assumptions for replacement at the end of their optimal life; whether the fleet expands or is shrunk based on the City Council's direction for future ser- vice levels; and replacement recommendations prior to incurring major repairs and/or part replacement, and further reducing the resale value. Mr. Miller briefly reviewed historical reference points for recommendations in useful life for the City's rolling stock, with squads being more frequently replaced due to their use. Councilmember Johnson advised that he'd been contacted by some constituents about surrounding communities and their levies, and noted that Roseville was unique in that it was not yet set up for depreciation funds; and asked fora histori- cal perspective on when the City Council stopped funding those accounts, and re- lated impacts to the taxpayer. Councilmember Johnson opined that past City Council's and their decisions had put the current City Council and their constitu- ents in this position, requiring that a responsible tax accounting system be re- implemented. Councilmember Johnson further opined that this would not be ac- complished in one year, but that if the City continued to regress, expecting that taxpayers would speak at the polls through a referendum whenever building re-