01-22-2018 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,January 22,2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. FINANCE REPORT—Continued Olson stated overall the City's revenues were up in 2017 and the City finished the year at approximately 104 percent of budget,which is approximately$154,000 more than budgeted in permits and fees. Collection of taxes will probably finish at around 98 percent once the final tax payment is received. In 2017,the City had 74 new homes versus 34 homes in 2016,which resulted in the increased revenues and pass-through charges. Olson reported the Orono Golf Course continues to perform better than budgeted and is expected to be around$46,000 over what was budgeted for revenue in 2017. Approximately five years ago the golf course revenues were around$100,000. In addition,building permit revenue was probably at a record high for the City in 2017. As it relates to expenditures,the City is currently at 98.95 percent of budget. Once all outstanding invoices are paid,the City will be around 100 percent of budget. Olson noted some departments were over budget in 2017,such as administration,and that is attributable to the interim city administrator. Law and legal services as well as code updates,lawsuits,and central services related to the building repairs at the Public Works building attributed to that increase. Currently the police department is at 95 percent of the budget but will finish the year at around 96 percent. Special services came in at$41,000 over budget but are related to the pass-through charges. Olson noted some numbers are not completely finalized but that overall the City's expenditures are in line with what was budgeted for 2017. Olson reported the City's auditors were at the City last Thursday and Friday doing preliminary field work and that the audit work will continue for the next few months. Walsh asked if the numbers will be finalized by the end of February. Olson indicated by the end of February the expenditure numbers will be pretty fine by that time. Walsh suggested having another update at the end of February. Olson stated they have also interviewed five people for the finance position and that they hope to hear back from the one candidate that they offered the position to tomorrow. PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER REPORT 11. OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD (CSAH 112-CSAH 6)DESIGN UPDATE Edwards stated over the past several months the City has been working with the School District in order to come up with some viable solutions for Old Crystal Bay Road. Edwards stated at this time the consulting engineer has come up with a preliminary design and that they would like to get some initial guidance from the City Council on cost sharing and partnering with the School District. David Martini,Consulting City Engineer,addressed the City Council regarding the proposed improvements for. Martini reviewed the present condition of the roadway,noting that there are currently 11 access points along the roadway,which leads to some of the issues that they have been dealing with. Page 2 of 7