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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 23, 2009 Page 12 Mayor Klausing opined that his opposition to the motion was in not having staff do the extra work; and further opined that the motion was counterintuitive to the BFO budget process. Mayor Klausing further opined that the City Council tended to focus on specific dollar amounts rather than making meaningful budget sugges- tions; and expressed concern that the City Council was going down that path again. Roll Call Ayes: Ihlan and Pust.. Nays: Roe; Johnson; and Klausing. Motion failed. Given the results of this action, Councilmember Ihlan advised that she would be subsequently filing a public information Data Practices Act request. Councilmember Roe clarified that the requested $450,000 in Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) did not represent an expenditure; and that the actual City Manager's recommended budget was $450,000 less than the levy. Mr. Miller noted that the City would be required to levy $450,000 more than it needed as the state would then automatically reduce their allotment to the City by $450,000, reducing the City's net tax proceeds. Councilmember Pust questioned staff's point of view, process-wise, on their ex- pectations of tonight's meeting for budget decisions; and whether individual Councilmembers should move to add or delete specific items, allowing staff to re- turn with a new budget; or how they anticipated further budget tweaking to occur. Mr. Miller suggested both avenues as the process continued to evolve and new opportunities for reducing costs were suggested, while absorbing or consideration of additional costs as well. Mr. Miller noted that the entire process was one of re- finement and reallocation; and asked that, if the Council collectively was not comfortable with the City Manager-recommended budget, they indicate those ar- eas tonight, whether by motion or suggestion. Mayor Klausing reviewed his approach, using the Fire Relief Association man- date as an example, and new actuarial that may allow for reduced costs; and the need, as another example, for Councilmembers to determine if they wanted to fund outdoor skating rinks or not. Discussion included where funds were currently allocated and where areas of ad- justment could be found; uncertainties and risks in unfunded liabilities for the Fire Relief Association based on market conditions; and potential revisions in material and/or equipment bids allowing for some additional monies.