Work Session

CITY OF MARSHALL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, March 14, 2023 The special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Marshall was held March 14, 2023, at City Hall, 344 West Main Street. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 P.M. by Mayor Robert Byrnes. In addition to Byrnes the following members were in attendance: Amanda Schroeder, John Alcorn, See Moua-Leske, Steve Meister and Craig Schafer. Absent: James Lozinski. Staff present included: Sharon Hanson, City Administrator; E.J. Moberg, Director of Administrative Services; Jason Anderson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Preston Stensrud, Park & Rec Superintendent; and City Clerk Steven Anderson. Bonding Moberg wanted to be sure council was aware of the impact that bonding will have on the 2024 levy if all of the upcoming projects are approved. A number of the projects that will impact 2024 are on the regular meeting agenda for March 14. Moberg began his presentation with the planned timeline for bonding. Administrator Hanson asked if a specific majority for approval was needed on some of the bonding projects. Moberg clarified that a super majority was not required to pass bonding acceptance. The presentation moved to interest rates and special assessments. Typically for bonded projects property owners are assessed the bond rate plus 2%. Meister questioned the additional 2% to assessments. If all projects are approved and come in at engineer’s estimate in bonding alone there will be a 6.90% increase in the levy for 2024. Moberg ran through several scenarios to reduce the levy impact from bonding. Items included moving the acquisition of the Helena Chemical building and using liquor store money to fund some of the parks projects. Discussion was brought up by council to stop some projects such as seal coating streets. Moberg during his closing mentioned a budgeting software that is being considered by finance to better streamline budget implementation and forecasting. Adjourn At 3:57 PM Mayor Byrnes adjourned the special meeting. Mayor Attest: City Clerk