City Council

August 23, 2021 Special City Council Meeting MINOT CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL MEETING – AUGUST 23, 2021 AT 5:30 P.M. ROLL CALL Members Present: Evans, Jantzer, Olson, Pitner (phone), Podrygula, Ross, Sipma Members Absent: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Sipma presiding and led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2022 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION City Manager, Harold Stewart, presented the Council with a recap of the 2022 preliminary budget. He explained that the mill increase equates to an annual increase of $10.26 for every $100,000 of assessed value of a home. The Council requested staff present options for no increase so the goal is a reduction of 2.28 mills, or $489,705. He described the new full-time positions requested in the budget and explained which ones have an impact on the mill levy. Mr. Stewart also pointed out, the Police Department managed to find $265,798 in additional cuts. He then provided several options for the Council to consider which would reduce the mill levy by the desired amount. He mentioned however, that many of the positions are only partially funded in the proposed budget, meaning they wouldn’t be hired until part-way through the year so only a fraction of the actual cost is accounted for. In future budgets, the salary and benefits would amount to a full year so an increase in future budgets would be necessary to keep them. He then provided options representing fully funded positions so they can plan for future budgets. The Council discussed different factors that play into their decisions. They may consider what other taxing entities are doing about increases, focus on retention and recruitment of employees, and keep in mind the aspirations they developed during the retreat. Council was able to suggest scenarios for the City Manager to input data and calculate the corresponding budget savings. They questioned whether they should prioritize mills or the needs of the organization. They also pointed out all of the progress included in the 2022 budget such as NAWS, Flood Control, a new Fire station, the retaining wall, a new City Hall, and the employee pay plan. Council encouraged the public to provide input in preparation for the public hearing and first reading of the budget taking place at the Council meeting September 7th. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 pm. ATTEST: ______________________________ APPROVED: _____________________________ Kelly Matalka, City Clerk Shaun Sipma, Mayor