07-08-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD JUNE 24, 1991 (#12)LMCD BUDGET CONTINUED Stromrnen stated that the concerns raised by CounciImember Butler and the City of Tonka Bay have been taken into consideration by the LMCD Board. He added that it is difficult, however, to accurately predict the anount of office supplies that will be used in the upcoming year. The Board tries to go by past experience when making budget projections.He assured Council that the LMCD staff is very cost conscientious. He agreed that there may be areas in v/hich reductions could occur, and that the Board should be receptive to such recommendations. Jabbour suggested to Stromrnen that a considerable amount of funds could be raised if the LMCD increased its late fee from $100 to $200. Goetten informed Stromrnen that nearly all municipalities within the State are concerned about salaries, and increases are being limited to three percent or less. She noted that the salaries indicated in the proposed LMCD budget will be increased approximately 5%, and questioned v/hether such increases are appropriate at this point of time. Stromrnen agreed with Goetten stating that such questions should be brought to the attention of the LMCD Board. Jabbour indicated (to Stromrnen) that it is not a good practice to present the cities with a proposed budget, \;hen in fact those cities have no means to do anything to change it. He said, "You are basically here on a courtesy call. The cities have no power of veto, and cannot take a position that the amount shown will not be paid. Somehow, this process has to be revised." Bernhardson stated that the cities have the right to appeal the LMCD budget once it has been published. Stromrnen confirmed that the cities do have the ability to make an appeal, but cannot veto the LMCD budget. He stated that there is active communication between the LMCD cities and the LMCD Board, and that the Board has been sensitive to the concerns raised by the cities. Stromrnen stated that over the course of the three years he has been involved with the LMCD. only three city councils have raised periodic questions regarding the budget, which reflects a general, overall satisfaction with the budget on the part of the cities. Mayor Peterson noted that the budgeted revenues for the Milfoil effort include $170,000 from public agencies. She asked Stromrnen what will happen in the event the public agencies do nor. meet that goal. Stromrnen replied, "In that case, the LMCD would come back to -15 -