01-11-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, December 14, 2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. 4. ADOPT 2016 BUDGET — RESOLUTION NOS. 6575, 6564, 6565, 6566 (continued) McMillan stated she is concerned about last minute changes for an organization that provides services to the community and that she would like to give them an opportunity to do a presentation. McMillan stated the City could make it a part of the budget process next year. Levang stated she worked closely with the Gillepsie organization all summer and that in her view it is unfair to have even broached this topic at the 11th hour when the group has not discussed it. Levang indicated she would not support reducing the amount of money or eliminating it at this time. Levang stated the Gillespie Center provides meals -on -wheels and other services to the Orono community and that the Council needs to be mindful of that. Levang stated the Orono Police Department also works very closely with them and that she does not want to see that relationship go away. Printup stated this is a similar conversation to what was had approximately a year ago. Levang noted there are different people on the City Council who have not been part of that discussion. Printup stated he would like to talk about it in 2016. Levang stated she is fine discussing it in 2016 but that it needs to be a full conversation by everyone so the services the Gillepsie Center provides are understood and what they do for the community. Levang stated she would also like the input from the police chief as well as staff. Levang stated to cut their money at this point would be unfair. Printup asked what data the City has except the fact that they provide great services. McMillan stated for the last four years, the City has had a very systematic budget process and that the Council starts discussing the budget in the summer, which is the time to bring these items up. McMillan stated she does have an issue with cuts being brought up at the 11th hour. Printup stated it is the same conversation as in the past. McMillan stated it needs to be brought up earlier and that the City Council spends a lot of time over the summer looking at things that will be funded or not funded. McMillan stated she was not aware it was an issue since it was not brought up within the last five months. Printup stated it appears he is outvoted on this and that he would like to move on to another topic. Printup asked if the finance director could explain the enterprise funds as far as the increases go. Olson stated the 11 percent increase for water rates assumes average summer and winter precipitation and water usage by the homeowners and would amount to a $52,000 increase in revenue to the City; the sewer operating fund would have a 4 percent increase, which would be approximately $58,000; recycling would have a 10 percent increase, which would be approximately $9,500, and the stormwater increase would be approximately $22,000. Printup stated he takes issue that the City is raising fees and rates but then sending money outside the City when it could be coming into the City to help offset costs to the residents for their sewer, recycling, water, and stormwater bills. Page 8 of 44