1975 12 012291
Council Meeting -Special Session December 1, 1975
Council Room -City Hall 8:00 P.M.
Members Present:Councilman Robt.Hill,Bill Moe,Norm Johnson,Mike Boyle,Gordon Ebbert
Don Swanson and Otto Skaug.
PUBLIC HFARING -1976 PRELIMINARY BUDGET
Mayor Gordon Ebbert called the meeting to order which has been specifically scheduled as a
public hearing regarding the 1976 Preliminary Budget.Copies of the 1976 Budget were available
for those present.
/O/O
Mayor Ebbert asked City Manager Chet Waggener to summarize the budget,which he did,limiting
it to highlights of his letter of transmittal contained in the 1975 Budget totaling $5,558,800.He had
gone into detail previously with the City Council at Budget Study Sessions,but felt the summarization
would be beneficial for the audience.
The 1976 budget shows a total increase of $371,582,or 8.1%over the 1975 budget.In combining the
General Fund and Street Fund,which are the two sections of the budget which come out of the General
Fund,which covers all Administrative costs,Library,Park &Recreation,Police and Fire,which are
supported partially by property taxes,but because property tax is also necessary to support the Street
Fund,the Street Fund,therefore,is shown with the General Fund figure.The increase in the General
Fund &Street is $152,150 or 9.1%..
The salary schedule listed are the 1975 salaries and did not include any proposed changes for 1976
because Union negotiations with the Fire Personel have not been concluded to date,and changes for
City Personnel have not as yet been discussed with the City Council.The 1976 salaries for Police
Personnel are included,as they are on the second year of a three-year contract.
Revenue Sharing has been used principally for the last two years to help balance the General Fund.
Anticipated at the beginning of receiving Revenue Sharing money to use it for capital expenditures,and
did not use any the first two years for maintenance and operation.But in 1975 $137,000 was used to
balance the budget,and this year 1976 we propose to use $200,000 to balance the budget.Also this
vear propose to hold a total of $596,770 available for construction of civic center complex,or for
vhatever purpose the Council chooses to use it.It has not been committed by ordinance to make it
binding to use if for civic center complex,so the Council has flexibility on that.He indicated to
.he Council previously that balancing of the budget this year was extremely difficult,being faced with
"double digit inflation for about three consecutive years.This,where our actual revenues have be.en
increasing about 6%to 8% a year,while that it is up like from about 3%or 4%per year.Going back
a few years back,revenues almost always lagged with the inflation rate.'.-.-.
This budget as presented,or as amended by the City Council,represents a very major policy state
ment in terms of work programs to be undertaken through 1976,and reflects the council's priorities
and the priorities of the community.The City Manager also detailed the cuts made in personnel
as well as equipment,affecting every city department.He added,that we are looking at expenditures
of approximately 4.4 million dollars,so it is a substantial expenditure of public funds that certainly
requires careful consideration and review to be sure that it meets the needs of the community.
Rick Gagnier reviewed and explained some of the charts contained in the budget,such as:
Recapitulation of Tax Levy;Recap of Funds Currently in Operation;Excess Millage General
Obligation Bond Retirement Schedule;Summary of Estimated Revenue by Sub-Accounts;and
Revenue Sharing Expenditure.
Mayor Ebbert opened the public hearing to thosein attendance and asked for questions or comments.
Virginia Hill commented regarding the $8,000 mentioned in the budget for Community Schools - would
this automatically be passed with the budget?
City Manager Waggener clarified that- stating along with all the other parts of the budget includingthatamountofmoneyshe referred to, is a proposed preliminary budget for the Councils'consideration,but no part cf it has been approved by the Council as yet.The Council, at one of the Study Sessions'was informed that $8,000 was allocatedin the Park &Recreation fund for the Community Schools pro-'
am.This being done in reviewing the budget in going into detail of the elements that compose'each
nd.
n.ere were numerous questions and comments from the citizen in attendance.The major issue was the
Rotary Club.
Others expressing themselves regarding the Community Schools project only objected to the money
proposed for '.lie program in the 1976 budget,but wore very much in favor of the project ,and proposed
that those wishing to take part in the Community Schools should pay for it. That expanses could build
up to more than the raney proposed for the Coordinator's salary.Also commented that the City of liohratadoesnotcontributeto their Community Schools program,instead they have a small charge forthe urogramOn the other hand Othello is funded by the City and it is working real well
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City Council Special Session:2 December 1,1975
City Manager Waggener commented,that over the years,often times a need for a Recreation Center
has been expressed for an approved comprehensive recreational facility in the community. To build
such a facility would range from $400,000 to $600,000.If recreational needs of the community were
attempted to be met in that way, it would not only mean then a cash outlay of approximately one-half
million dollars,which would have to be through general obligation bonds,it would also mean additional
staff to take care of that kind of facility.And would say that it would not accomplish all the things
that a Community School program will actuallly do in terms of providing the broad spectrum of recreation
and meeting other needs of other gge groups of the community.Also would have to recognize that Commu
nity Schools does not wholly replace those things that would be housed in a recreation center,but in termsof the most benefit for your dollar, it would seem that the $8,000for City's participation is a very minimal
expenditure as against another alternative which would be to try to improve recreational facilities that
the City would own and operate itself.The City does not have any facilities at the present time in which
to conduct a recreation program. City recreation programs that are conducted in Moses Lake are conduct
ed almost wholly in school facilities.
Mayor Ebbert brought up that the question should be answered as to where,with our severely
budget,where do we get the $8,000?tight
Chet Waggener added that in discussion with the Council of presenting a budget of programs in fact
that would be out of balance and have the Council inform us what programs they want added or deleted.The $8,000 was put into the budget because the Council did approve the Community Schools concept.'
They didn't specifically say to put $8,000 into the budget,and as it developed in discussion with the
School and our Recreation Department, it became obvious for the program to function successfully there
did need to be a full-time coordinator.This was put in for the Council's consideration and for them to
recognize there was a commitment needed on the part of theCity for it to function.In order to allow it,
we cut some other things and cut some staff positions and programs we would like to do that is not in-'
eluded in the budget. It is a question strictly what the Council considers to be the highest priority or
greatest need for that $8,000.
Mayor Ebbert asked if there were other questions.There were none.Neither were questions from the
City Council,therefore,Mayor Ebbert continued the public hearing to the following night Tuesday,
December 2,1975 at 8:00 P.M.when the Council will continue the hearing and pick up with reviewing
the Public Works portion of the 1976 Budget.
Meeting recessed at 9:30 P.M.
MAYOR,Gordon M.EBBERT
ATTEST:
^Ml-City Clerk,R. R.Ga