HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 05/15/2012 KEN T
Kent City Council
Workshop
May 15, 2012
Council Members Present: Boyce, Higgins, Perry, Ralph, and Thomas.
Council Member Ranniger arrived at 5:55 p.m,
Council Member Albertson arrived at 6:00 p.m.
Council President Higgins opened the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
2013-2014 Biennial Budget. Barbara Lopez, Financial Planning Manager, explained
how the agenda for the workshop would be presented by herself, Assistant Finance
Director Paula Barry, Finance Director Bob Nachlinger and CAO John Hodgson. Barb
spoke about Council's directive to pass a biennial budget and do the budget kickoff
with the full council.
Budget Policies. Council member Perry mentioned that the proposed budget
policies were passed at Operations Committee tonight. She explained the proposed
financial stability policies and clarified why these budget policies should be in place.
Perry also went on to explain the operating budget policies, and noted why these
policies will give Council the opportunity to agree on anticipated revenues and help
form the preliminary budget and what the Mayor's role will be to keep Council
informed of any changes in revenue, staff, programs, and services.
Higgins noted that this was passed 3-0 in Operations Committee today and will be in
other business at the June 5, Council meeting. He explained that it gives Council
direction, specific contingencies and reserve fund amounts and will impact the budget
process.
There was a brief discussion as to how these policies would be met.
2013-14 Revenue Forecasts. Nachlinger noted that the sources for the forecast
were based on the Washington Economic Revenue Forecasting Council. He went
through his presentation and explained what these projections will mean to the
budget. He also noted the federal programs that are expiring at the end of the year
and what these may mean to the revenues. Nachlinger commented on the Health
Care Reform which will affect some department's hiring process for temporary and
seasonal workers and noted that the state legislature for 2013-14 will also have an
impact on the budget.
New Revenue Options. Barry provided a list of revenue sources which include
allowable limits, currently assessed, and assessed at allowable limits. She mentioned
that the last page in the packet regarding revenue sources is from nine cities with
comparable population.
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