HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.12.21 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION
JULY 12,2021
Call to Order
Mayor Hoyt called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Present-Hoyt, Bernhjelm, Pearson, Porter and Wilson
Absent-None
Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Police Chief Rutherford, Fire Chief Elvestad, Parks and Recreation
Director Omlid and Public Works Director Gehler.
Agenda
Motion by Pearson, second by Bernhjelm,to approve the agenda as presented.APIF, motion carried.
2022/2023 Draft Budget
Administrator McKnight presented the first draft of the 2022/2023 budget. McKnight shared that the
budget was based off department needs and city council priorities set for 2022/2023. These priorities
include:
✓ Developing dedicated financial benchmarks for capital replacement in the annual budget.
✓ Developing dedicated financial benchmarks for infrastructure support and facilities in the annual
budget.
✓ Developing a staffing plan for inclusion in the annual budget and financial plan.
McKnight reviewed the current draft of the 2022 budget-
2021 Budget 2022 Draft Budget Increase/(Decrease)
Revenues $3,298,344 $3,577,333 8.46%
Expenditures $13,832,464 $15,870,719 16.70%
Fiscal Disparities $2,277,659 $2,277,659 0.00%
Gen Fund Levy $8,256,461 $10,015,727 21.31%
Debt Levy $3,012,093 $2,265,788 (17.32%)
Net Tax Levy $11,268,554 $12,281,515 8.99%
McKnight reviewed the reasoning behind the increases in revenues and expenditures. A lot of
discussion occurred around the proposed increases in the Transfers Budget related to the city council
priorities for 2022/2023.
Councilmember Bernhjelm asked about the estimate for new tax growth in 2022. McKnight estimated it
to be 1%at the most.
Councilmember Pearson asked about the potential use of dollars we will start to review from Hy-Vee
this year. McKnight stated that he would inquire with the city attorney to see if there are any
restrictions.
Councilmember Wilson expressed a desire to increase trail maintenance funding.
Mayor Hoyt asked about the impact of deferred trail maintenance and expressed a desire to really
address the funding issue and not continue to pass it on to future city councils.
Bernhjelm expressed support for where the budget stands today to start address the needs of the
community. She would prefer that the additional funding be targeted to projects that residents can see.
Councilmember Pearson expressed concern about the economy changing and how reduced permit
revenues and foreclosures will affect the city. The impact on the potential 2022 ballot question was also
discussed.
Wilson would like to shift more funding to trail maintenance. He would also like staff to discuss possible
state and federal bonding project possibilities.
The consensus of the city council was to have staff adjust the budget to develop a plan forward the next
few years to address the three city council priorities. Concern was expressed about where the tax levy
stands today.
The city council will review the draft budget again at the August work session.
Emergency Management and City Council Role
Police Chief Rutherford and Fire Chief Elvestad discussed the issue of emergency management and the
city council role in large-scale events. Rutherford reviewed the four goals of emergency management
and how they can be incorporated into events that occur in Farmington.
The city council and city staff discussed the general approach that has been and will be taken when
issues of significance occur. A common theme of trusting the work that staff is doing was discussed.
Communication between the city council, city administrator and city staff was a key issue for our
successful handing of these events.
The city council role in emergencies was discussed. Having one spokesperson, relying on staff to
perform their jobs and being on the same page was discussed. Recent examples of how cities have
approach this issue were reviewed.
The group agreed that the discussion was positive and should continue in the future.
City Administrator Update
Administrator McKnight updated the city council on the following items:
✓ Downtown liquor store move progress and new store buildout.
✓ Joint City Council/School Board meeting next week.
✓ Ladder 1 ceremony scheduled for July 21St
✓ Parks tour scheduled for August 11tH
✓ Update on the assistant city administrator and finance director positions.
Adjourn
Motion by Bernhjelm,second by Pearson,to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. APIF, motion carried.