02/17/2009 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
February 17, 2009
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Community Meeting Room of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on February 17, 2009. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent
on February 11, 2009.
Mayor Margaret Hornady called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following
Councilmember's were present: Gericke, Nickerson, Ramsey, Dugan, Haase, Gilbert, Niemann,
and Meyer. Councilmember's Carney and Zapata were absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Jeff Pederson, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Dale
Shotkoski, and Finance Director David Springer.
INVOCATION was given by Mayor Margaret Hornady followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
Discussion Concerning_Budget Amendment. David Springer, Finance Director reported this item
was brought back to a Study Session at the request of Council. A discussion with the State
Auditor's office had determined that a long standing procedure used in the budgeted
appropriations calculation was not the preferred method and it would be appropriate to amend
the current year's budget and revise the process for future state budget submittals. After speaking
with the Auditor's office last week, Mr. Springer stated an amendment would probably not be
necessary.
Discussion was held concerning carry-over projects in the 2010 budget. A budget amendment
could be approved if needed later on in this fiscal year. Exceeding line item budgets were
mentioned.
Discussion Concerningt Balanced Budget. Councilmember Haase requested that the City Council
amend the City Fiscal Policies to include a Balanced Operating Budget definition.
Councilmember Haase recommended the following definition to the Fiscal Policies: A Balanced
Operating Budget is defined when current year operating revenues equal or exceed the current
year operating expenses.
Mentioned was the financial trend monitoring system presented to the Council at their January
20, 2009 meeting. Mr. Haase wanted to see a balanced budget that does not include reserves.
Comments were made concerning fiscal responsibility, acceptable industry defmitions for a
balanced budget, current-year operating expenses, debt, cash reserves, and expenditures
approved by council.
Page 2, City Council Study Session, February 17, 2009
City Administrator Jeff Pederson commented on one-time revenues or unsustainable revenues,
financial trend monitoring system which gives indicators to act on warnings signs and for council
to take appropriate action steps. This will be discussed further at the Council Retreat on
Saturday, February 21, 2009.
Finance Director David Springer clarified General Fund allocated revenues. The decrease was
due to Capital expenditures. To increase revenues, an increase in property taxes was mentioned.
Several comments were made about the good things happening in Grand Island and not to be tied
down to a specific definition.
Mayor Hornady commented on all the positive things that have happened to improve the quality
of life in Grand Island.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk