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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 23, 2009 Page 17 Councilmember Pust noted that if this was just based on staffing changes, that balance discussion could be held on staff levels; but noted that customer services was addressed in all departments, and was a valuable service in all of those de- partments, and was ranked at the highest level, creating the basis for the prelimi- narybudget and levy. Mayor Klausing concurred that customer service in all departments is important; and noted that over previous years, the "low hanging fruit" had already been picked, causing the City to now make those difficult decisions in how remaining services and programs, as well as staffing levels, should be prioritized. Councilmember Pust noted that Councilmember Ihlan's request would represent a budget that provided options at various percentages; but questioned what deci- sions the City Manager would make to cut things to get to a different level, and suggested that it seemed like a wasted effort if she prioritized things that may not ultimately save money or retain priorities. Mayor Klausing suggested that Councilmembers determine how to get to their preferred budget level. Councilmember Pust suggested that her preferred level for her and the public is what they could afford; and opined that the public couldn't afford this level, even though she may agree that everything listed was valuable, but not in an economy where taxpayers didn't have any extra money. Councilmember Pust opined that of all the times to raise taxes to the level reflected, this was not the time; and ad- vised that the public feedback she was receiving in the community was not sup- portive of this level of spending. Councilmember Pust opined that it was her re- sponsibility to do fewer good things with less money, but she couldn't tell how to achieve that without losing good staff that does those good things. Councilmember Roe opined that, when setting a preliminary levy, Councilmem- bers needed to determine what the appropriate level of change in property tax in this economy should be, and what level they wanted to be at. Councilmember Roe further opined that, once that information was provided to staff, with individ- ual and collective Councilmember priorities and rankings clearly in place, the City Manager and staff could then determine that budget at those specific levels. Councilmember Roe noted that, to-date, staff had been provided with no motion for various levels that they could return to Council with impacts at those various levels, based on Council priorities and an analysis of staffing levels. Council- member Roe opined that it was not the City Council's job to work out all those details, as long as they've provided staff with their priorities, which hopefully re- flect those of the community, and if not reflective, the community needed to let Councilmembers know that. Councilmember Roe suggested that Councilmem- bers concur on what they think the property tax levy should be, and move for-