City Council Agenda and Packet 2015 11 02

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City Council Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 Page 16 of 18 Mayor Muckle noted the curve has looked like this for several years due to the conservative estimates on revenue in future years and expenses not being precise. City Manager Fleming agreed it was based on a conservative view. It is important to see and keep in mind when looking at building related revenues, to not become dependent on one -time revenues. Finance Director Watson explained this graph was created when Council member Keany expressed concern the City was funding ongoing expenses with one -time revenues. Creating a definition of operational costs; recurring revenue and recurring expenses help to show how the fund balance reserves are being built with one -time revenues. Council member Lipton was concerned the budget looked out of balance with this graph. It appears the 2016 budget is balanced with one -time revenues. He wanted to plan to talk about this in the longer term. Mayor Muckle agreed this needed to be a topic of discussion since policy states the City does not fund operational expenses with one -time revenues. Council member Stolzmann didn't feel the Parks operating expenditures were correctly captured and after the discussion in December, this problem may be made worse. Finance Director Watson noted within the financial policies a balanced budget is defined and the intent is to have a structurally balanced budget. The time to have the conversation may be during the financial policy discussion. Council member Loo asked about the proposed funding in 2017 of the Visitor Center and Historical Museum. With the escalating cost of doing business, she would like to start to have a serious conversation about the dollars spent on design. There is no reason to design if it is not going to be built. She suggested the citizens interested in this might look at raising funds. With the sun - setting of the Historic Preservation Fund, the Historical Commission and Historic Preservation Commission could do a letter of understanding to put the Museum in dedicated funding. She asked if the increased visits to the Museum were school children. Library and Museum Director Barrett noted there were more school tours, but not a significant part of the increased numbers. Having the Museum open during the Friday nights of Art Walk and the added hours for the Museum both increased visits. Council member Loo suggested looking at other ways to finance the visitor center and museum in 2017. Council member Lipton remembered talking with Historical Commission concerning funding a modest design or concept plan to assist in raising funds. 29