City Council Minutes 2007 10 30 SP

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City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 30, 2007 Page 6 of 12 Employees Wages & Benefiits In order to reduce turnover, increase morale and productivity and ensure that salary levels are competitive; approximately $375,000 has been added throughout the budget in most funds to implement a new pay plan. This will allow increasing salaries where deE:med necessary to provide: • Compensation at least equal to the bottom of an established range that is based on compairisons with similar employers in our recruitment market, • Up to a 3% merit increase for performance in 2008 for full-time employees, • A 5% step and grade increase for Patrol officers consistent with previous budget years, and • A 1 % across the board increase for part-time employees. • The budget includes an additional $137,000 (10% of 2007 costs) to cover the increasecl health and reduce future health care costs that both the City and emmployees pay. COUNCIL QUESTIONS Council member Marsella asked if the 2008 budget included $35,000 earmarked for affordable housing, which was carried over from the Stadium District tax refund. She explained the money is needed for new windows at Sunnyside, a low-income housing project o~n East Street. City Manager Fleming will investigate that budget item. Council member Muckle questioned the business assistance budget for 2008 and asked where it would be Bused. He asked if the money will be used as back- fill for revenues that may not be received from prior business assistance packages. City Manager Flerning stated in all cases, business assistance packages are approved by Council. He explained the funding comes from incremental sales tax. He noised the building fees and sales tax are paid upfront, and would only be rebated when the business brings in new revenue. Council member Muckle asked for a breakdown of the budgeted funds for economic development. City Manager Fleming explained funds are budgeted for $80,000 for consulting servicE~s and the property database for a total of $151,750. Becky Hogan, EDge Consulting, 56 Steele Street, Denver, CO explained the Economic Development budget includes several programs, including economic consulting services, maintenance of the databases; community participation, and conferences. Mayor Pro Tem Brown stated his understanding is that the business assistance budget is capped at $200,000. He did not support capping the business