07-31-2012 Budget Work SessionJuly 31, 20112
A special meeting of the Scandia City Council for the purpose of discussing the 2013 draft
budget was held on the above date. Mayor Randall Simonson called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. The following were present: Council members Connie Amos, Jim Schneider, Chris Ness
and Mayor Randall Simonson. Absent: council member Sally Swanson. Staff: Administrator
Anne Hurlburt, Tim Kieffer and Colleen Firkus. Also present were Fire Chief Jim Finnegan and
Assistant Chiefs Mike Hinz and Bill Havener.
Administrator Hurlburt reviewed the timeline associated with adopting the budget and levy.
Highlights pointed out were the new debt service fund 312 to separate out the 2011 Equipment
Certificate from the 2010 Equipment Certificate bond on the advice of the city’s financial
counsel. The draft budget reflects a 5.84% levy increase. The levy is only one part of the impact
on individual property taxes, when taking into account the county’s Market Value Increase on
property of 2.2%. There will be no state levy limit in 2013.
The biggest change in Revenue assumptions is in the Planning & Building budget as the EIS
contract will be completed this year.
Changes in Expense assumptions include a 2% cost-of-living wage increase, a health insurance
rate increase of 10% increase and a 5% property/liability insurance increase of 5%. Actual
numbers for insurance will be available prior to adopting the final levy.
Capital Projects
Capital Projects were reviewed. Public Works equipment added to the Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP) to meet future needs were a new Dump Truck/Plow (2014) to have a third plow assist in
snow removal, and a Utility Truck with Crane (2015) to assist in pulling pumps for sewer
maintenance. The Fire Department indicated the grant they are applying for only allows for one
siren purchase per year. Therefore, the CIP will change from $200,000 to $30,000 for Civil
Defense Sirens annually for six years starting in 2013, with grants expected to cover 75% of the
cost.
Fire Department
Chief Finnegan requested a $1.00 per hour wage increase for fire fighter wages indicating the
last increase was 2007. The increase is included in the proposed salaries line item. Turn-out gear
is increased by $10,000 to replace three to four new outfits. This will be an annual replacement
schedule as previously discussed with the Council. Medical Training is also up due to six new
recruits to go through EMT classes, as well as four more recruits expected next year. Finnegan
reported that the State will pay for Fire Fighter I training this fall for the six new recruits, so no
expense by the city this year for that training. Conferences and Seminars also up due to new
recruits. Refuse is up due to switching to a dumpster.
Public Works
A lift for the Public Works garage and a one-ton F-550 work truck were two needs identified by
Scandia’s new Maintenance Superintendent Tim Kieffer for 2013. The two-post lift is needed for
safety and maintenance in lifting trucks instead of the ramps currently being used. The one-ton
July 31, 2012
Council Budget Work Session
Page 2
truck is needed to do more in-house projects that will include asphalt patching, hauling material,
and towing heavier trailers. Kieffer indicated with seasonal workers on staff they are often short
of trucks to get out and do the work needed. Kieffer also made a request to amend the 2012
budget to purchase a power washer to help maintain equipment. Kieffer suggested putting the
plow trucks on a 10 year replacement schedule based on a League of MN Cities study that said it
is more cost efficient to replace on a 10 year schedule as it retains some resale value on
equipment. A current plow truck is 12 years old. Kieffer would like to hang on to the Ford plow
as a backup and add a third reliable plow in 2014 to increase speed of snow removal. The biggest
increase in the Public Works budget is in Material & Supplies as more in-house projects are
planned. Salt is also separated from the gravel budget. Since paving the city’s remaining gravel
roads have been suspended, it will be necessary to add maintain those roads with more gravel.
Council member Schneider said he agreed with all the purchases, but would like to move the
purchase of the one-ton truck out a year. There was discussion as to where new equipment
would be stored. Staff suggested space could be found in the city’s Annex and old garage
buildings. Seasonal equipment could be compactly stored when not in use.
Administration & Finance
The wage assumptions reflect the top salary rate for the new Administrator position and family
health insurance benefits. These numbers can be adjusted after the position is filled. The
increase in Legal Services is based on the experience of the first six months of the current year.
After taking into account the cost of reviewing the Zavoral CUP in 2013, the next increase in
unreimbursed costs is $16,000. The other significant increase is in Other Professional Services to
reflect the CIP City Meeting/Office Space Study project.
City Council
The City Council compensation reflects an increase set by Ordinance No. 121. The budget
assumes an 8.84% increase based on the change in the CPI since the last adjustment in January
of 2009. The actual amount would be set when the November report becomes available. The
Council indicated they would like to stop this increase. Mayor Simonson said he would like to
see mileage paid to council members that travel within the city limits on city business. The
policy would have to be amended. Hurlburt suggested at least $1,000 would need to be added to
the budget to reflect mileage costs as staff has no history on which to base this expense. Council
members Ness, Amos and Schneider indicated they would like to discuss this at a later work
session.
Planning & Building
Expenses are significantly less due to the completion of the contract with AECOM for the
Zavoral EIS. All but $2,000 of the $47,500 Planning Services budget is assumed to be
reimbursed by project applicants.
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Council Budget Work Session
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Parks & Recreation
The expense budget reflects an increase in Events as requested by the Parks & Rec Committee.
The only major expense is the resurfacing of the tennis courts estimated to be $9,912.
Debt Service
Debt Service is down 2.98%. Debt payments will start decreasing when Fire Hall/Public Works
building bond is paid off in 2015, the Equipment Certificates are paid off in 2016, and the bond
for the 2007 Road Paving Project will be paid off in 2017.
Future Meetings
Council agreed to cancel the August 15 budget workshop as interviews are scheduled for that
date for the Administrator position. The next budget workshop will be August 28 to discuss the
2012 budget amendments for Public Works, the policy for paying mileage to the Council and a
levy resolution.
Ness, seconded by Amos, moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer