10-10-1988 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 10, 1988 •RECYCLING PROPOSALS CONTINUED to determine how Orono was performing, but overall, the communities are doing -very well, with each community averaging only 1% or 2% short of the expectation. It was moved' by Councilmember Goetten, seconded by Councilmember Nettles, to table this item until October 24, 1988 Council Meeting. Motion, Ayes =4, Nays =O, Motion passed. BUDGET ADOPTION /1989 TAX LEVY City Administrator Bernhardson stated that this item was for the purpose of adopting the General Fund Budget for 1989 and establishing a tax levy for 1989. Information was presented to the Council and Mayor Grabek concerning the costs involved with legal prosecution costs and citation and fine revenues. Based on 6 -month data for 1988, the principal costs are being driven by the number of citations from 1985 to 1988 that have been processed for Orono have doubled and so have the fines and forfeitures. However, our legal costs have more than doubled. This was due in part to the hourly rates being billed by Popham, Haik were lower than the hourly rates for which the City was currently being billed. Had we been billed at the current level we were being charged, back in 1986, our legal costs would have been 34% higher. The ratio of prosecution rates to fines in 1986 Would have been the same as those projected in 1988. The rinciple reason both fine revenues and prosecution costs are up is due to the Police Officers issuing substantially more citations. Councilmember Goetten asked for this to be tabled so she would have further review time. City Administrator Bernhardson mentioned that the two items could be separated and voted upon separately. He added that there were two changes 'to be made in the proposed 1989 Budget. One item was the possibility of $100,000.00 being included in the budget from the General Fund in order to allow for more flexibility; and the conversion of the recorder position. from a part -time to a full -time position. Councilmember Goetten inquired whether recycling costs would need to be addressed for the proposed Budget. Bernhardson stated that would be a reason to table the budget portion of this item. Councilmember Callahan inquired as to why the tax levy would not be affected by the Budget? Bernhardson stated that the recommendation was to levy the maximum allowed in order to retain flexibility. If the City chooses not to spend that, it could be adjusted in future years. It was moved by Mayor Grabek, seconded by Councilmember 0allahan, to table the 1989 Budget, but adopt the tax levy of 1,352,690 together with $30,000.00 for the deficit for the Crystal Bay Sewer. Motion, Ayes =4, Nays =O, Motion passed. 24