HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 09/25/2018Kent City Council Special Workshop
Minutes
September 25,2OL8
Kent, Washington
Date:
Time:
Place:
Attending:
Approved October 2, 20L8
September 25,2Ot8
5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers East/West
Dana Ralph, Mayor
Bill Boyce, Council President
Brenda Fincher, Councilmember
Dennis Higgins, Councilmember
Satwinder Kaur, Councilmember
Marli Larimer, Councilmember
Les Thomas, Councilmember
Toni Troutner, Councilmember
Council President Boyce opened the meeting at 5:35 p.m., and thanked Mayor Ralph
for keeping the council involved during this budget process.
Agenda:
2OL9-2O2O Biennial Budget Process
Aaron BeMiller, Finance Director, provided an overview of the Mayor's Proposed 2OL9-
20 Biennial Budget. BeMiller thanked department directors and their staff for their
hard work in preparing this budget. BeMiller expressed his appreciation for the work
of multimedia in addition to the work of Barbara Lopez, Deputy Finance Director,
Shane Sorenson, Senior Financial Analyst, Kathleen McConnell, Senior Budget
Analyst, and Michelle Ferguson, Senior Financial Analyst.
BeMiller advised the Budget Overview section summarizes the Mayor's Proposed
2O19-2O Biennial Budget and provides comparisons to previous years' revenues,
expenditures, fund balances and staffing. It outlines summarized budget data for
the General Fund, including a discussion of budgetary assumptions, revenue projects
and major expenditure changes. An overview of the remaining funds is presented by
fund classification, Lastly, this section contains high level capital investments and
debt management discussions.
BeMiller provided details regarding the staffing position changes in addition to
providing a review of the S-year fund balance history.
BeMiller reviewed the general fund expenditure assumptions, and fund expenditure
reductions and additions.
Barbara Lopez, Deputy Finance Director walked the Council through the budget
document flow examples and advised that by law, the city must budget by fund and
it is not always clear on how things flow.
Councilmember Thomas received clarification on the change in FTE for the golf pro in
addition to the body-worn camera program.
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Kent City Council Special Workshop
Minutes
September 25, 2OL8
Kent, Washington
Approved October 2, 2OL8
Mayor Ralph and Council President Boyce indicated they wanted to be transparent
and provided additional details regarding the red-light camera program and clarified
that the program is an untapped revenue source. It is not being implemented for
public safety, it is a sin tax. Mayor Ralph indicated that after hearing from the
community, it was determined that the public is interested in sin taxes.
Council President Boyce indicated that this is a sin tax and if you break the law, you
will be ticketed.
Mayor Ralph indicated the SchoolZone Traffic Safety program is all about increasing
safety, and it is working since the number of tickets are decreasing.
BeMiller advised the city will utilize a question and answer process for this budget
process. Councilmembers should send questions to him and Derek and responses will
be provided during the October 6th special workshop.
BeMiller advised of the next steps:
October 6th will be a full-day 8 a.m. -3 p.m. Special Workshop
October 9th will be held for a possible 5 p.m. Special Workshop
October 16th will be held for a possible workshop
October 16th the public hearings will take place during the 7 p.m. regular meeting
November 20th the Operations Committee will review the budget-related ordinances
and may recommend the Council take action on November 20th
November 20th the Budget ordinances may go before the 7 p.m. City Council meeting
for action.
Boyce encouraged councilmembers to go thru budget and send questions to BeMiller
and Matheson. Boyce also advised there are tough decisions that need to be made.
The eting concluded t 6:03
Kimberley A
City Clerk
moto
September 25,20L8
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