2011-02-14 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Welsch stated that since the start of the FY 2011-2012 budget process there has been four or five budget study sessions; has held three Public Meetings for input from citizens, and Mr. Walker formed a Budget Citizens Advisory Task Force that came back with recommendations. Mayor Welsch said that Mr. Walker has been charged with presenting a draft budget by no later than Friday of this month. Mayor said that after the draft budget has been present the Council will have another series of budget studies and a Public Hearing for residents to respond to Mr. Walker’s recommendation. She hoped that everyone kept in mind that the Charter does give the City Manager the power to make administrative decisions and he does not have to come back for consent for administrative decisions. Mayor believed that the City Manager would come back if he were changing anything to the level of services the residents are presently provided. Mayor encouraged all of Council to take up Mr. Walker’s invitation to meet with him every two weeks and can have a one-on- one discussion with him on any concerns they have about the budget. Ms. Ricci said in years past, the City has been millions of dollars off budget; taken in less and spent more. She noted the 2007 Council passed a budget with a 1.8 million dollar deficit. Ms. Ricci said if it were not for the one time AT&T money the City would be in worse shape. She said like a savings account the reserves should not be used for everyday expenses. This year along with starting the budget process earlier and this resolution the Council can now have the knowledge and information on how to handle and make the financial decisions so the City is not millions of dollar off budget and having deficit spending. The Council is looking to set a policy, to get the appropriate information and share with the residents in order to make the best decision to survive beyond the next twenty years. Mr. Price said he was totally confused because when he earlier said people were meeting prior to the meeting he got chastised. He said this resolution just came to them today. Mayor Welsch stated that it was in the packet that all Council had received earlier. Mr. Price said we are talking major restructuring and have not met to discuss this. He said what is being talked about is a major overhaul. Mr. Price said when he found out his colleague came with a prepared speech about the resolution and he keeps hearing the talk about we and he said we haven’t discussed anything. Mr. Price said he has been given misinformation and fabrication of facts. He said after the last budget study session the one million dollar buyout was removed and Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Crow and he did not know anything about it. Mr. Price said that Lehman Walker does not have the authority to run this City in the ground and he is not going to let him do that. Mr. Price said he left once before when it got too hot, he is gone. Mr. Price leaned forward in his chair. Ms. Ricci called an Out of Order against Mr. Price. Mr. Price continued saying at the last meeting Mr. Glickert slammed a book down in front of him. He said Mr. Glickert strolled across the floor hollering at him. Mayor Welsch asked Mr. Price to keep his comments to Resolution 2011 – 4. Mr. Price said the resolution has Mr. Kraft written all over it as can be seen from his website. Mr. Price said Mayor let Mr. Kraft make comments about Ms. Miller when she was up here, saying look how she’s dressed. Mr. Kraft denied ever making such a comment. 11