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City Council Finance Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />01/19/18 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />Mayor Muckle stated he agreed with Member Maloney in principle, but that it may <br />not be possible in practice. <br />Finance Committee Member Lipton stated that, under the current process, there is <br />no opportunity for department directors to propose funding options, change <br />priorities or look at cost savings. Member Lipton stated that the current process is <br />just additive. <br />Director Watson stated that there are other models and methods of budgeting <br />available such as Priority -Based Budgeting or Budgeting For Outcomes. Director <br />Watson asked the Finance Committee if they wanted to switch the review process <br />to review operations first and capital second. City Manager Balser stated there <br />are many options to consider, but that she and staff are seeking a vision with clear <br />long-term goals from City Council. <br />The budget calendar, forms and corresponding narrative can be located in the <br />packet of the January 19, 2018 Finance Committee Meeting. <br />FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE MONTH ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 <br />Senior Accountant Graham Clark presented the financial statements for the period <br />ending December 31, 2017. <br />Mr. Clark highlighted three new columns were added to the financial statements <br />(Current Estimate, $ Variance to Estimate, and % of Estimate). Director Watson <br />stated that these additions were in response to a request made by the Finance <br />Committee at the December 19, 2017 meeting to add revenue and expenditure <br />estimates to the reports. Director Watson stated that the Current Estimate column <br />reflects the 2017 estimates shown in the 2018 Supplemental Budget document. <br />Senior Accountant Clark asked the Finance Committee for feedback and <br />comments. <br />Finance Committee Chairperson Maloney stated that the new columns provide <br />good financial knowledge. Mayor Muckle stated he finds the information helpful <br />and useful and provides trending information. Finance Committee Member Lipton <br />restated his concerns that with escalating costs, the City's reserves may be higher <br />than needed, and that the budget needs to provide for liquidity, and added flexibility <br />and discretion. Member Lipton asked what would be necessary to set new <br />policies. City Manager Balser stated that the estimates used by the City are very <br />conservative, and that a review of carry-overs and financial policies are scheduled <br />to be discussed in second quarter based on the 2018 Finance Committee Work <br />Plan. <br />Senior Accountant Clark reviewed the remainder of the financial statements with <br />the Finance Committee. Finance Committee Members stated that the Golf Course <br />5 <br />