08-23-2004 CC MIN - SPECIAL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE CITY OF ELK RIVER (UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM)
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2004
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Diem, Kuester, Tveite, and Motin
None
City Administrator Pat Klaers, Finance Director Lori Johnson, and Police
Chief Jeff Beahen
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
2. Budget Workession
The city administrator provided an overview of the financial data that has been incorporated
into the 2005 budget since the last worksession was held with the City Council on August 9,
2004. The administrator stated that before any staff additions are included in the 2005
budget that there is a gap between proposed revenues and expenditures in the amount of
$90,500.
The status of the 2004 budget was briefly reviewed. It was noted that revenues will exceed
expenditures and that funds will be available at the end of the year to add to the city
unreserved balance.
The 2005 proposed revenues were reviewed. Highlights included the Local Government Aid
(LGA), the growth related revenues, and the proposed tax increase in the general fund.
The preliminary levy sample was reviewed. The city administrator indicated that with a 10%
Net Tax Capacity 0NTC) increase and no change in the city tax rate, then approximately
$701,000 of additional taxes can be generated. Of this amount $201,000 has been set aside
for equipment and streets with the balance going into the draft General Fund budget.
The proposed revenues for 2005 are $8,912,400. TNs is a 13.2% or $1,037,000 increase
from the 2004 budget.
The Council discussed revenue options and concerns and asked for additional explanation
on a number of 2005 estimates.
The city administrator reviewed the draft 2005 expenditures. Increases in personal services,
supplies, other services/charges, and the capital outlay/transfer categories were kighlighted.
The city administrator presented information on the departments that had significant
changes from the 2004 budget. In summary, the city administrator indicated that the
expenditures are. proposed in the amount of $9,002,900 and that this is a 14.3% or
$1,127,500 increase. When comparing the proposed expenditures to revenues there is a
$90,500 gap.
Ciw Council }vfinutes
August 23, 2004
Page 2
Council discussion took place regarding additional revenue opportunities and the need to
make reductions in the requests from department heads in the supplies and the other
services/charges categories. The current tax rate and projection for an increase in the city
NTC were reviewed. The City Council indicated that it did not want to see any increase in its
current tax rate of 43.78. It was noted by the Council that if the NTC increases more than
what is projected in the current draft budget, then additional staff can be added with no
change in the city tax rate.
Discussion by the Council took place regarding the amount of cuts that should take place in
the supplies and the other services/charges categories. A Council consensus was reached to
reduce the supplies and other services/charges category by 5% in order to eliminate the
budget gap. These two budget categories combined are proposed in the amount of
$2,249,500, of which 5% equals $112,475. A reduction in this amount would eliminate the
current budget gap. After further discussion the City Council indicated that the Fire Station
painting project could be included within the $112,475 in reductions that need to take place.
The City Council indicated its desire to have this Fire Station painting project completed in
2004. The Council also noted that the engineering and contingency budgets should be
reduced.
Mayor F-dinzing commented on the dry contribution for Boys/Girls Club programming that
is new in the 2005 budget.
The city administrator indicated that the next budget worksession would take place at the
end of the September 7, 2004 regular City Council meeting. It is anticipated that NTC
information from the county should be available by the end of August. This NTC
information is necessary in order for the City Council to make a decision on its proposed
maximum tax levy that needs to be certified to the county by September 15, 2004. He
further noted that the supplemental budget pages will be presented in later September or
October and that a capital improvement program worksession is planned for a Council
meeting in November or December.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor K_linzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
City Council at 8:20 p.m.
Patrick D. I4Aaers
City Administrator