City Council

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 City Council Information: 360.753.8447 Tuesday, May 5, 2015 5:30 PM Room 207 Special Study Session 1. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Mayor Stephen H. Buxbaum, Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Councilmember Julie Hankins, Councilmember Steve Langer, Councilmember Jeannine Roe and Councilmember Cheryl Selby 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2.A 15-0437 Continued Discussion on Funding Options for a Sustainable Budget Mayor Buxbaum called the meeting to order and stated the purpose for the Study Session is to hear a report from the Finance Committee and staff regarding the Committee’s work on proposed funding options for a sustainable budget. Administrative Services Director Jane Kirkemo provided information about the City’s financial outlook for 2016 and beyond. She stated that barring new revenue options or further reductions in services, revenues are not projected to keep up with expenses. City Manager Steve Hall reviewed the current operating and capital budget gaps, along with a list of cutbacks and efficiency measures already undertaken by the City. Mayor Buxbaum asked if the Council could get a report and have some future discussions regarding historical levels and uses of year-end fund balance. Specifically, he inquired about trends and patterns that exist now or have existed in the past, and how permitting activity has played a role in year-end balances. Mr. Hall indicated the information was included in the year-end financial report and we can redistribute the information. Councilmember Cooper, Chair of the Finance Committee, shared that after looking at various possible funding options and listening to feedback from community members, the Committee is recommending moving forward with a 2105 ballot measure to establish an Olympia Metropolitan Parks District (OMPD). The boundaries of the district would be the City limits, with Council acting as the board, similar to how we operate the Transportation Benefit District. The proposal is to raise property tax $0.54/$1,000 of assessed value, which would raise approximately $3 million and is approximately a 22% increase in City property taxes.. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes May 5, 2015 Councilmember Hankins indicated she would like to see the big picture plan for dealing with our budget shortfalls over the long-term before making a decision on one part of the solution. She stated she wanted some context for this decision and how it fits within all of the City’s priorities. She also asked how this would be messaged to the public absent a discussion on the long-term plan. Mayor Buxbaum and Councilmember Roe inquired about uses of the funding and how it lines up with our operating and capital budget needs. What, specifically, will be funded by the OMPD? Councilmember Cooper stated he expected staff to present some options and then more discussion with the full Council would occur before an option was chosen. There was consensus among the Council to continue these discussions. A Study Session has been added to the Council Agenda on June 9, 2015. The work session was completed. 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2