City Council Worksession

Watertown City Council Work Session Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 11/10/2020 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call Mayor Steve Washburn called the City Council work session called to order at 5:33 pm on November 10, 2020 in the council chambers of City Hall. Council Members present: Washburn, Michael Walters, Deborah Everson, Adam Pawelk, and Lindsay Guetzkow City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran, and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. 2. New Business 2.I. Budget Work Session #8 – General Fiscal Conditions & Capital Investment Plan Update City Administrator Fineran updated council on the development of the 2021 budget conditions. The preliminary levy was adopted in September at a $2.6M level with many unknown expenses. Early indications from Carver County are that the second half tax collections are positive. Fineran explained that the CARES Act funds were able to be spent on eligible costs within the organization including law enforcement, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, and economic development grants. Fineran stated he is targeting a reduction in the levy down to around 1.22% from the 3% that was submitted for the preliminary levy. Council Member Guetzkow is pleased to see the potential reduction in the 2021 levy. She would like to see the fire department surveyed from the bottom up due to the high number of resignations in the past year. Guetzkow suggested hiring an outside firm to do this. Council Member Walters asked about finishing the Wetland Trails of Watertown. Walters suggested having a firm complete the staff wage analysis that was presented last February. Council Member Pawelk wants to make sure that if the levy is lowered for 2021 the city will not have to play catch up for 2022. He would also like to see the wage study performed as it was presented to council in early 2020. Council Member Everson is happy to see a decrease from the preliminary levy. She asked Fineran if the council decides to complete a wage study, if it would increase the levy. Fineran said the council needs to decide if they want those expenses to come from the fund balance or from the levy. Mayor Washburn would like to see the levy stay closer to the 1.22% rather than the 3%. Fineran noted that the difference is around $45,000. He said the wage studies and organizational structure study would be paid for from the operating funds. Council discussed the financial model worksheet for 2021. Fineran said the budget adoption for the 2021 budget will be December 8, 2020.  needs to decide if they want those expenses to come from the fund balance or from the levy. Mayor Washburn would like to see the levy stay closer to the 1.22% rather than the 3%. Fineran noted that the difference is around $45,000. He said the wage studies and organizational structure study would be paid for from the operating funds. Council discussed the financial model worksheet for 2021. Fineran said the budget adoption for the 2021 budget will be December 8, 2020. 3. Adjournment Mayor Washburn adjourned the workshop at 6:21 pm. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388