HomeMy WebLinkAbout012808 WorkshopCITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend met in workshop session the
twenty-eighth day of January 2008 at 6:30 p.m, in the third floor conference room
of City Hall, Mayor Michelle Sandoval presiding.
ROLL CALL
Council members present at roll call were, Brent Butler, David King, Laurie
Medlicott, George Randels, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, and Mark
Weich.
Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, Planning Director
Rick Sepler, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Library Director Theresa Percy,
and City Clerk Pam Kolacy
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW AND ISSUES
City Manager Timmons presented the City's financial overview. He noted the
City has absorbed about one million dollars in costs over the last five year period
(2002-2007}.
He reviewed the City's special funds which constitute about two thirds of the total
budget and stated that the City has taken actions that put these funds in good
shape. These actions included rate adjustments, and adjustments to capital
planning.
He noted that the street fund has been living off the General Fund for years and
the City's general fund has survived long term by deferring maintenance of
streets and other infrastructure. Decoupling the Street Fund from the General
Fund has been accomplished, and street funding has been boosted by the 10%
tax on utilities.
Administration has been stabilized by establishing a ten percent overhead on
other funds to defray the costs of administering those funds. Functional
consolidation of the Fire Department with the Fire District has been
accomplished.
Remaining departments with the greatest need for support from the General
Fund are Police (operating at target Level of Service); Library (not meeting target
Level of Service); and Parks (considerably below target Level of Service}.
City Councii Special Meeting Page 7 January 28, 2008
Revenues are not increasing and costs continue to rise. The "toolbox" options
for the City include the following:
Levy lid lift
Economic strategy
Special districts (parks, library)
Metropolitan Parks District
Fund consolidation
Fire District, Library Annexation
Mr. Timmons noted that the challenge ahead for the Council is to review options
for sustainable funding for maintaining and/or increasing levels of service for all
City services. He noted this session has been an overview and starting point for
future discussions, which will lead to an action plan for the coming years.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Attest:
~Q~m ~G~E~
Pam Kolacy, MMC
City Clerk
City Council Special Meefing Page 2 January 28, 2008