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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 08, 2010 Page 26 Roll Call Ayes: Johnson; Pust; Ihlan; and Roe. Abstain: Klausing Nays: None. Recess Mayor Klausing recessed the meeting at approximately 9:28 p.m. and reconvened at approxi- mately 9:36 p.m. b. Discuss 2011 Budgeting for Outcomes Process Finance Director Miller briefly summarized the discussion points in the RCA dated January 25, 2010, and discussion deferred to tonight's meeting. Mr. Miller noted staffis internal review of the 2009 BFO process, its strengths and weakness; and their recommendation, that despite its challenges and nuances, that it be pur- sued in the 2011 budget process. Councilmember Roe, as a supporter of the BFO process to begin with, acknowl- edged that, while there were challenges; they could be improved upon, with the key to link outcomes and to include all city operations, not just those supported by tax funds. Councilmember Roe opined that part of the issue was a lack of under- standing from the City Council level, of the 160 categories defined; and from his perspective, opined that it made sense to build and improve on the process rather than abandoning it. Councilmember Johnson, as a supporter of the process as well, concurred with the comments of Councilmember Roe. Councilmember Johnson's concerns included the length of the process, and his preference to have had a preliminary idea of where the budget was at earlier in the process. Councilmember Johnson noted, from his personal business experience, their ongoing self-auditing process, and how that process had served to be less disruptive, and provided a greater under- standing of protocols and standard operating procedures; and suggested that a similar process be included in the BFO process. Councilmember Johnson sug- gested that this process would be spending more time with the staff directors ear- lier in the year (i.e., 1-2 meetings with each Department Head) as mandatory, not optional meetings, to understand their department better when it came time to make ambiguous decisions, rather than being left to the end of the budget cycle allowing more time to think through the process, rather than making the end-of- year meetings so labor intensive for staff and Councilmembers, and providing time and energy to deal with other City business during that time as well. Councilmember Pust addressed strengths: her appreciation that the City is at- tempting to find a better budget process and that the City Manager and Finance Director had presented this option to the City Council, and expressed appreciation to all staff for their extensive efforts, especially that of Finance Director Miller in the numerous iterations requested and presented. Councilmember Pust concurred