07/14/2020 Minutes Budget�
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CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION
July 14, 2020
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Budget Work Session of the City Council of the City of
Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on July 14, 2020. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
July 10, 2020.
Mayor Roger G. Steele called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. The following City Council
members were present: Mike Paulick, Jeremy Jones, Mark Stelk, Vaughn Minton, Julie Hehnke,
Clay Schutz, Mitch Nickerson, and Chuck Haase. Jason Conley and Justin Scott were absent.
The following City Ofiicials were present: City Administrator Jerry Janulewicz, City Clerk
RaNae Edwards, Finance Director Patrick Brown, and Public Works Director John Collins.
SPECIAL ITEMS:
Continued FY 2020/2021 Budget Discussions. Finance Director Patrick Brown stated the good
news was the states sales tax for the month of July was up from what was previously figured by
his department. He reported that due to the pandemic and the uncertainty of the City's revenue
sources for the upcoming budget year, certain decisions needed to be made as to the funding of
General Fund operations and the use of Cash Reserves.
The Budget Policy Review Committee met on July 10, 2020 and agreed on Mode12 of 4 Models.
The following assumptions were made for each model:
• 15% reduction in Sales Tax Revenue
• 2% Property Tax Increase (discussion point)
• 3% revenue growth for year 2022 and 2% growth for years 2023-2026
• 3 31 % growth in Personnel Services for years 2022-2026 (see historical data)
• 0% cost of living adjustment for non-union members in the General Fund for FY2021
• Transfers out of $750k for Economic Development (LB840), Community Development
$25k, Transit $220k, and Capital Equipment of $SOOk
Model 2:
Use $1,445,883 in cash reserves for the FY2021 budget. The transfers into the General Fund
consist of $35,000 for the Vet's Cemetery maintenance, $65,000 for Grand Generation Center,
and $250,000 KENO funds. The $1,445,883 does not include capturing the incremental increase
in property tax (adjusting the city's mill levy down). If the City keeps the same mill levy, cash
reserves would be reduced by $1,211,190.
Discussion was held regarding Parks and Recreation projects, Grow Grand Island renewal of
contract, KENO funds transfer, and personnel services. Discussion was held regarding the 0%
increase in personnel services for the non-union. Comments were made about leaving the tax
request the same and use the cash balance to lower the levy.
Page 2, City Council Budget Wark Session, July 14, 2020
Mr. Brown commented on using cash reserves for situations like what we are going through now
with COVID-19. He mentioned the Revised Fiscal Policy which the Budget Policy Committee
reviewed and that the Revised Fiscal Policy would come to council at the July 28, 2020 City
Council meeting for approval.
Mr. Brown stated next week would be a Study Session to cover the Fee Schedule, Enterprise
Funds, Utilities and Public Works budgets.
Mayor Steele stated the historical data showed a 3.31% increase in personnel costs. He thanked
Mr. Brown for the work on this budget during these difficult times.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
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