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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013.07.09 Special MinutesMINUTES McCall City Council Special Meeting Idaho First Bank — Lower Level July 9, 2013 Agenda Budget Public Meeting Adjournment CALL T4 ORDER Mayor Bailey called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Aymon, Mayor Bailey, and Council Member Witte were present. City staff present was Gene Drabinski, City Manager; Linda Stokes, Treasurer; Larry Stokes, Interim Police Chief; David Simmons, Information Systems Manager; Eric McCormick, Golf Superintendent; Michele Groenevelt, Community Development Director; Peter Borner, Public Works Director; Dennis Coyle, Parks and Recreation Director; Anne Kantola, Library Director; Nate Coyle, Airport Director; Cathie Largent, Code Enforcement Officer; Carol Coyle, Grant Coordinator; Gail Draper, Accounts Payable; Laura Wilson, Deputy City Clerk BUDGET PUBLIC MEETING Gene Drabinski, City Manager, presented the budget work session. He explained how the meeting would be run and introduced staff. He offered the audience the opportunity to ask specific questions that he could address during the meeting. Scott Finley asked to discuss Community Development and Police Department staffing levels. Mr. Finley also asked Mr. Drabinski to justify the budget when the population has remained the same over the past 25 years. Max Eiden wanted to address the 9% increase in property tax. He also asked if Mr. Drabinski would ask the department heads to decrease their budget. Mr. Drabinski gave a power point presentation that explained how the City of McCall obtained its funding and how the funding was spent. A member of the audience asked what the salaries were from 2010 and 2011. He also stated that his impression was that the City was not doing enough to reduce the budget. Mr. Drabinski and Mrs. Stokes did not have the information to provide, but offered to obtain the information and provide it the following business day. Mr. Drabinski emphasized the importance of creating a budget that aligned with the Comprehensive Plan. He allowed time for questions and there were none. Mr. Drabinski continued to explain the FY14 budget process. He explained the proposed 9% property tax increase was due to the 34% increase in health care. He stated the 9% increase was proposed to Council as a worst case scenario, but has since been able to obtain rate quotes from other insurance providers at a lower cost. Council Member Aymon informed the audience that city employees have had to assume a higher rate of premiums in order to assist in balancing the budget. McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 1 of 2 July 9, 2013 Mayor Bailey addressed the comment regarding the population from 25 years ago. He explained that while the population may not have changed much from 25 years ago, the costs have increased. Mr. Drabinski gave two examples of funding increases. The first example was a tax increase of 3%, and the other example was to take the forgone amount allowed. Mr. Drabinski concluded his presentation and offered an opportunity for audience questions. Ken Krahn gave a statement. He suggested using Local Option Tax to fund city projects. He also suggested widening roads for sidewalks and bike paths. He stated he would like to see the City cut funding to McCall Transit and an increase of sales tax by 1 % and omit the property tax increase. Mayor Bailey agreed with Mr. Krahn's sales tax increase suggestion. Mayor Bailey informed Mr. Krahn that a sales tax increase would have to go before the public for vote and would require a 60% approval. Council Member Aymon agreed she wanted to see more paths, but building the paths were very expensive. Scott Findlay stated he believed Community Development and the Police Department should reduce staff He stated that because the population in McCall has remained the same from 1988, the Police Department did not require more personnel. He suggested contracting with Valley County to provide law enforcement and reduce the City Police Department staff to 10 employees. Mr. Drabinski informed the audience that he spoke with the police chief of Eagle concerning the possibility of contracting law enforcement service. Mr. Drabinski stated he and the Eagle police chief deduced that McCall would not benefit from that type of contracted service with Valley County. There was clarification regarding the salary percentage given by Mr. Drabinski earlier in the meeting. Peter Borner, Public Works Director, gave a brief statement on the funding for salaries and capital improvement for Water and Sewer. ADJOL RNMENT Without further business, Mayor Bailey ad'o i i the meeting at 7:24 p.m. ATTEST: BessieJo W.,_ er, Cit —gain usit0 Donald .Bailey, Mayor McCall City Council Special Meeting July 9, 2013 Page 2 of 2