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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, September 22, 2014 <br />7:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br />  <br />  Page 3 of 18  <br />(3. ADOPTION OF PRELIMINARY 2015 TAX LEVY – RESOLUTION NOS. 6444 & 6445, <br />Continued) <br /> <br />Olson noted fuel costs are budgeted to increase by $17,000 but the City has not locked in its price at this <br />point. The City will also be experiencing a $10,000 increase in liability insurance for the police <br />department. The City Council also added an additional $30,000 to the Public Works budget for street <br />maintenance materials and supplies. This is the first step in a long-range plan to preserve the City’s street <br />infrastructure. <br /> <br />Olson stated over the past number of years the City’s park budget has been fairly low, with relatively little <br />maintenance being performed. In 2015, repairs and maintenance for the parks department is being <br />increased by $11,000 and $10,000 has been allocated for tree trimming, $10,000 for seasonal help, and <br />$10,000 for minor repair and maintenance needs as identified by the Park Commission and approved by <br />the Council. <br /> <br />Olson stated some expenditure’s will be decreasing in 2015. With 2015 not being an election year that <br />will result in a budget decrease of $21,025 in the elections department, but is savings for one year only. <br />The amount being transferred from the general fund to the debt service fund for the police garage bonds is <br />being reduced by $10,000 to $150,000, and in 2016 it is scheduled to be reduced to $125,000. In <br />addition, the golf course will see a reduction of $10,980 for health insurance. Olson noted the total levy <br />for debt service for 2015 is $755,000, which is the same amount as in 2014. <br /> <br />Olson stated the second resolution before the City Council tonight is to certify the general operating fund <br />at $4,772,000. Staff recommends adoption of both resolutions. <br /> <br /> McMillan asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on the budget. <br /> <br />There were no public comments. <br /> <br />Levang thanked Finance Director Ron Olson for his presentation. <br /> <br />McMillan stated the City prepared the budget with a flat levy and then added money to certain areas that <br />have been neglected in the past few years, including parks, roads and culverts. McMillan noted the City <br />will have a new Public Works Director coming on board at the end of September. McMillan stated the <br />City has the ability to reduce the levy between now and December, but that the City Council would like <br />Staff to explore improvements to some roads. <br /> <br />Levang stated with the new director coming on at the end of September, he will be able to become <br />acclimated prior to the final levy being adopted. <br /> <br />Printup stated the common theme talked about during the budget process was how the City has lost its <br />footing in keeping up with the maintenance of certain items and that he is in agreement with the extra <br />money being allocated to the parks and road maintenance. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Item #03 - CC Agenda - 10/13/2014 <br />Approval of Council Minutes 09/22/14 <br />[Page 3 of 18]