CR 97-74 Budget Goals
April 10, 1997
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Council Report 97-74
1998 BUDGET GOALS
ProDosed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to adoDt the 1998 budaet aoals.
Adoption of this motion will establish a public statement of the goals the Council wishes to
achieve as part of the process towards adoption of the 1998 budget.
Overview
In working toward the adoption of a budget, it is often helpful for the City Council to establish, in
written form, the goals that it wishes to achieve as the staff, the Council, and board and
commission members work toward setting the financial policies for the City.
As such, staff is recommending that the Council adopt a set of goals which will be disseminated
publicly, so as to let all know of the Council's wishes with regard to next year's budget.
Primarv Issues to Consider
. What are the proposed goals?
SUDDortina Information
. Draft budget goals
. Proposed Hopkins Highlights article
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Steven C. Mielke
City Manager
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Council Report 97-38
Page 2
Staff Analysis of Issues
. What are the proposed goals?
Based on discussions with the City Council, staff is recommending the following goals be
discussed and approved:
. Maintain the tax levy at the 1997 amount. Reduce or eliminate an increase in the tax
levy.
. Maintain basic city services at current levels
. Analyze all programs and services to:
. Look for ways to reduce dependency on the property tax
. Find greater efficiencies in the provision of current services and programs
. Compare staffing levels to workloads to assure proper allocation of resources
. Create greater linkages between revenues and expenses to allow for more
entrepreneurial approaches to non-essential services
. Forecast funding needs and tax implications to assure strong long-term financial stability
. Provide adequate funds to meet necessary technology upgrades
. Continue policy of not using fund balances for operating expenses
. Recognize and reward employees that help the City save money.
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counciL sets budget gOliLLs
By Steven C. Mielke
City Manager
Although the City Council members
concluded 1997 budget deliberations
only three months ago, they are already
in the process of preparing for the 1998
budget.
Our in-depth analysis of the city's
budget and its property tax implications
has already started. We will continue
this budget review through the establish-
ment of our preliminary budget and
1998 tax levy this September, and the
conducting of public hearings and final
adoption of the budget and levy this
December.
Council goals
In discussion and preparation for the
1998 budget deliberations, the City
Council members have established the
following goals:
. Reduce or eliminate an increase
in the tax levy
. Maintain basic city services at
current levels
. Analyze all programs and ser-
vices to:
1. Look for ways to
reduce the dependency
on the property tax
2. Find greater efficiencies
in the provision of cur-
rent services and pro-
grams
3. Compare staffing levels
to work loads to ensure
the proper allocation of
resources
4. Create greater links
between revenues and
expenses to allow for
more entrepreneurial
approaches to non-
essential services
. Forecast funding needs and tax
implications to ensure strong
long-term financial stability
. Provide adequate funds to meet
necessary technology upgrades
. Continue the city's policy of not
using fund balances for operat-
ing expenses
. Recognize and reward employ-
ees who help finds ways for the
city to save money
Become informed/involved
I urge all of Hopkins' property tax
payers to become informed and
involved in the city's extensive budget
review process. It is easy to jump on the
cut our taxes bandwagon. That becomes
much more difficult, however, when
deciding what city programs and ser-
vices should be trimmed or cut.
Hopkins' current programs and ser-
vices cost a tax payer with a home val-
ued at $96,000, $330 per year or 91
cents per day.
If you have questions or comments,
please call me or leave a message on the
Razzle Message Line, 939-1421.