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) Printup noted it was important to the City to earmark the increased dollars realized from the levy towards road improvements. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Levang moved, Cornick seconded, to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6565, a Resolution to Adopt the Final 2016 General Fund Budget. Printup stated he would like to have a conversation at the time of the next budget report to talk about the City's expenditures and revenues in regards to health care options for the Chief of Police and City of Orono. Printup noted that item was before the City Council approximately a year ago but nothing was done about it. McMillan stated the City Administrator can make a note of that and bring it back to the City Council when the budget is reconciled. Printup noted data is usually not received from the Gillepsie Center and that he would ask that the City reallocate those dollars back into the General Fund. Printup stated allocating funds towards the Gillepsie Center is not an obligation of the City. Levang asked if Council Member Printup would like to take it out of the Final 2016 General Fund Budget. Printup stated he would like to reallocate the money elsewhere. Walsh stated the City Council has discussed this for the past couple of years as well as what the role of the government is and whether it should support certain charities. Walsh stated at one time it was $20,000 and then it was decreased to $9,500. Walsh stated he would not be in favor of eliminating it altogether this year but that he would prefer to step it back a little bit so the Gillepsie Center would have some time to make some adjustments. Walsh noted he has spoken to them in the past about it so they are aware of what the government's role is. McMillan noted the City's budget process has been undergoing for the past six months and that it should have been brought up earlier in the year. McMillan stated the City has always given money to the Gillepsie Center and that in her view it is not fair to the organization to cut the funds at the very last minute and that it should perhaps be discussed at greater length at a future work session. McMillan noted the Gillepsie Center provides meals -on -wheels to Orono residents and that the City has also helped to support their senior services. Printup stated the City has received no information from the Gillepsie Center but yet they are receiving Orono tax dollars. Walsh stated he would be willing to donate $2,500 in matching funds to help make the transition easier if the Council decides to reduce the amount. Walsh stated the Gillepsie Center should be raising funds from the local community. Page 7 of 44