HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A - Proposed 2008 Budget Reduction Measures Report
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
APRIL 21,2008
9A
Ralph Teschner, Finance Director
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT IDENTIFING PROPOSED 2008
BUDGET REDUCTION MEASURES
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to consider approval of budget reduction
measures in an effort to balance the general fund budget because of a
revenue shortfall in the category of Licenses and Permits.
Historv
We have been closely monitoring today's market and its impact upon our
workload, employee compliment and organizational format. As a result, at the
March 3, 2008 Council meeting, the City Manager announced a
comprehensive city reorganization. In addition to better aligning our resources
to accomplish the objectives of our 2030 Vision and Strategic Plan, the
reorganization reduced city expenditures by $165,000 in 2008. During this
meeting we advised the Council that a report identifying our actions to balance
the budget would be submitted on April 21, 2008.
Current Circumstances
It is projected that the number of new residential single family building permits
will come in significantly below the level of 200 permits programmed in the
2008 General Fund Operating Budget. Our current estimate places the
number of new construction starts between 50 and 75 units. This will result in a
revenue shortfall of $450,000 - $500,000 for building related permit charges in
the current year.
Outlined below are a number of budget cuts that Staff has identified that will
bring our expenditures in line with our adjusted projected revenues:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
! 10.
-........
DeDartment.
Parks Dept.
Recreation Dept.
Fire D~p!.
Buildi!l_9!plant Dept.
Eng/l n~p/Mtce.lDepts.
Data Processing Deot.
Data ProcessingQ~pt.
Data Processing Dept.
Street Dept.
Contingency
$10,000
$20,000
mmmm__~~?' 000
$45,000
$120,000
.....____~J?,OOO
$25,000
$_?~,OOO
$20,000
$185,000
I Proaram EXDenditure
Seasonal personnel cutback
Beach attendants (life guards)
Refining medical response calls
I Building facility manager
I Personnel position reductions
i Laserfiche large format drawing~
I Fiber optic plan deferral
I Computer replacements delay
i Street overlay bid savings
! Reserve contingency balance
Amount
To~~1 Budg~tSavings ... I $491,000.00
Either a combination or all of these items could be implemented in the form of
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actual cuts, delays or deferrals depending upon actual budget experience as
we get deeper into the fiscal year. Items #4 & #5 have already been put into
action as part of the reorganization plan that was reviewed earlier with the City
Council.
Effective with Allina Ambulance's move into Fire Station # 2 it has been
anticipated and planned that Fire Department volunteer personnel would no
longer be responding to minor medical calls as is the current practice. Allina's
presence in the Fire Station #2 would allow them to be the primary service
provider. Our fire department would provide backup assistance on an as-
needed basis as determined by Scott County Dispatch. This would not only
provide a monetary savings but would also reduce the heavy demands upon
the department volunteers and not compromise the level of service to the
public. This transition is consistent with the medical response practice of both
Savage and Shakopee volunteer fire departments.
ISSUES:
The biggest concern is reserving 100% of the remaining Contingency balance
at such an early stage of the year. With nearly 8 months remaining there would
be little expenditure flexibility available to the Council if something were to
come up. If such a situation were to arise the Council may have to appropriate
from the General Fund balance.
Many things can change before the end of the year. Accordingly we have
advised staff control expenditures in the areas identified above based upon
actual conditions. It is staff's intent to continue to monitor overall performance
in the quarterly budget reports provided to the Council.
A few of the expenditure freezes may delay objectives which we want to
accomplish (laser fiche large format drawings, fiber optic plan, computer
replacements). But after reviewing the entire budget, these service reductions
and delays are the type which we can recover from or reschedule.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The impact is as stated in the budget savings table. We believe that our
revenue shortfall projections are conservative and not likely to be exceeded
unless the governor or legislature make policy changes which affect our 2008
revenue base Le., state aids, market value credit or such.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve the budget reduction action plan as presented.
2. Amend the proposed expenditure reduction measures.
3. Delay action if the Council requires additional information.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Alternative #1 - Motion and second to adopt the budget reduction measures as
agreed upon by the City Council.