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Session 1722, Budget Study Minutes May II, 1998 told by the Census people that they had no intention to make allowances for recounting. LIBRARY BOARD BUDGET LETTER: Mr. Ollendorff directed the Council to the Library Board's budget letter on the next page. Mr. Ollendorff wanted to point out, in the third paragraph, that the Councilmembers might wish to inform and advertise to their constituents that the Library had a website, which has City Council Minutes, and would have available the City Code and Zoning Code at a future date. The City is currently in the process of building our own website. The top of the next page of their letter, explains to Council why they need the extra money. (Later in the Revenue discussion) Mr. Lieberman asked Mr. Ollendorff about the Library's anticipated 4% salary increase for part time employees and step increases for full time employees and how this compares with what he plans to do. Mr. Ollendorff responded that he included 3% for wage adjustments. Mr. Lieberman wanted to make sure that the Sunday hours would not be touched. Mr. Ollendorff said that he did not see any suggested change in hours. REVENUE: Mr. Ollendorff referred Council to page B-7, General Fund Revenues, where he noted slow growth. This is due to increases in the assessed valuation and new construction. The same tax rate will bring in approximately $60,000 more next year. The biggest items are the license fees for the utility companies and they are projected to be stable. The figure listed is the average for the last several years. This could change depending on the weather. Mr. Schoomer noted that this would be in jeopardy with deregulation. Mr. Ollendorff stated that what will hurt us, with deregulation, is the possibility of losing our utility taxes. He said Senator Goode has introduced a bill that would require that utility taxes keep coming in, but it might not be constitutional. Mayor Adams said that the major procurers of power have all agreed to be taxed. Mr. Ollendorff said that a similar problem is Internet sales. Since the Federal government does not allow these to be taxed, the City loses out on this potential revenue as well. Mr. Ollendorff directed Council further down the page to Charges for City Services. Most are stable, with a few small increases. 640.19 Ambulance Service is projected to go up due to the $50 increase that Council adopted about five months ago. Mr. Ollendorff said that Council might wish to consider raising this every year by a small amount. Mayor Adams said that he did not wish to do this, but would rather monitor what other communities are doing and then raise it, if necessary. Mr. Ollendorff reported that University City was