HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 08-28 FTFM• MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FINANCIAL TASK FORCE
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
AUGUST 28, 1991
CITY HALL
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The Brooklyn Center Financial Task Force met in special session and
was called to order by Chairperson Kelly at 7:05 p.m.
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Chairperson Kelly, members Boran, Boyd, Kanatz, Christensen and
Peppin. Also present were Councilmembers Cohen and Pedlar, City
Manager Splinter, and Finance Director Holmiund.
Chairperson Kelly asked the council members present their
expectations of the Task Force. Councilmember Cohen stated in his
mind there were short and long term goals. In the short term he
expected the Task Farce to review expenditures, revenues and city
fund balances with the possibility of forming some general
recommendations on the 1992 budget. He also believed the Task
Force should examine the feasibility of a franchise fee on gas and
electric bills in Brooklyn Center to finance neighborhood
renovation projects. In the long term, he believed the Task Force
should evaluate and recommend regarding levy limits, how reasonable
or unreasonable our property tax levies are and to recognize and
• assist in informing the public that the city's tax bill is only 16
cents on every dollar of property taxes. He hoped the Task Roce
would assume a public relations role in assisting in communicating
city budget and financial issues.
Councilmember Pedlar believed it was not necessarily just to look
at dollar cuts and cuts in services but there was a need for the
Task. Force to examine and re-examine the way we do business, look
at our effectiveness and evaluate State activity as it impacts and
drives city costs.
Chairperson Kelly then asked members to review what they believed
the activity of the Task Force should be. The members individually
stated their views and following is a summary. The various members
believe there is a need to focus initially on those areas where we
are "hurting" in the revenue or expenditure column and then
judiciously review the information. It was noted the Task Force,
staff, and City Council should be open with each other about
reactions and suggestions. There was discussion and comments in
the area of reviewing cost effectiveness, citizen survey
information, prioritizing of services, gaining information from
various departments and comparing that information with other
cities and to review revenue sources (fees and other alternate
sources of revenue). There were suggestions we evaluate tourism
and tourism taxes and look at the potential for revenue from
sources such as water and other utilities. There were expressions
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. of the need to justify expenditures to service levels and to
basically look at everything and approach the situation on "a no
sacred cow basis". There were suggestions there was not interest
in laying off people but there was hope to accommodate any changes
or cuts by attrition.
After discussion, there was a consensus among those present the
initial recommendation to the City Council should be more a comment
rather than specific recommendations. Members noted there seemed
to be a need to thoroughly review all aspects of the city's
services, service delivery and budget and that process could not be
completed creditably by the time the Council must consider the 1992
budget in late November and early December of 1992. They believed
that certain interim recommendations would probably be available to
the Council but they did not wish to damage the credibility of a
thorough review and analysis by making premature recommendations.
City Manager Splinter was asked to prepare a calendar for members
indicating the meetings for September and October and it was
understood the Task Force would have to coordinate its meetings in
November to avoid conflicts with the City Council budget review
process and Council meetings in November and December.
APJOURW=
Chairperson Kelly adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
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