HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 [08] Aug 12August 12, 2009
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Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in a working
session on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor AI Rassier. Councilors Dale Wick, Steve Frank, Bob Loso . Administrator Judy
Weyrens.
City Representatives Present: Public Works Director Terry Thene, Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police
Chief Pete Jansky.
Others Present: Mike McDonald
Mayor Rassier opened the workshop and stated the purpose of the meeting is to receive and discuss the
proposed 2010 General Fund Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. Weyrens stated that the City Staff
has worked hard at preparing a budget that meets the needs of the City based on the limited funding
sources. The proposed budget does not include staff additions and it does not replace the open finance
position. In addition, the budget does not utilize any summer help for park maintenance. The proposed
budget booklet contains the following information:
Section One 2009 Budget Review -This section is an overview of the 2009 budget that was
adopted, year to date information and the projected surplus(deficit) at year end.
Also included is a summary of the budget reductions that were imposed as a
result of the Governor's unallotment. If the year finishes as projected, the 2009
budget will show a surplus, which is attributable to the delay in capital
expenditures and budget reductions.
Section Two Summary of 2010 Proposed General Fund Budget included the breakdown by
Personnel Expenses, Repair and Professional Services and Capital
Improvement.
Section Three Detail by Department with explanations for budget changes.
Section Four Staff has provided a projection of tax impact of the proposed 2010 General Fund
Budget. The proposed budget does include levying back a small portion of the
unallotment. The proposed budget does not increase the tax capacity rate;
rather it keeps the rate static.
The Council spent considerable time discussing the detail budget items including labor costs. The
proposed budget for 2010 does not include a cost of living adjustment but does include step
advancement for those eligible. The City will not receive the renewal rates for the health insurance until
October, the same time that the City will receive the growth numbers from Stearns County. The Council
also discussed the funding for the EDA as the City had anticipated hiring a staff member in 2009;
however, due to State deficit and Governor's unallotment the City did not move forward.
Mike McDonald, 213 - 13`" Avenue SE stated that in his opinion the budget was approached with keeping
the tax rate static, rather than reducing the tax rate. Finance Director Lori Bartlett stated that the 2009
budget is already at a minimum and if the budget had to be reduced for 2010 the Council would have to
look at services. In addition, the staff is only recommending levying back a small amount of the
unallotment to keep the budget at the 2009 level. The City could levy back approximately $ 190,000 and
the 2010 budget includes less than $ 10,000.
The Council agreed to review the proposed budget and meet again on August 19 to continue the budget
discussion.
Ad~iourn: The ~ g was adjourned by consensus at 7:55 PM.
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Ad inistrator