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<br />e M I NUT E S <br /> City Council <br /> Jacobs Room--Hult Center <br /> July 27, 1988 <br /> 5 p.m. <br /> PRESENT: Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Cynthia Wooten, Jeffrey <br /> Miller, Emily Schue, Roger Rutan, Rob Bennett. <br /> 1. INTRODUCTION/REVIEW OF AGENDA <br /> Sharon Thorne shared a summary of the information and comments provided by <br /> councilors regarding the financial planning process. <br /> Ms. Thorne said the process resulted in differing perceptions of the agree- <br /> ments reached about the financial plan before going into the Budget Committee <br /> process. For example, some councilors felt that the council had committed <br /> to program reductions spelled out in the plan, while others were assuming <br /> public input could influence the proposed reductions. Ms. Thorne said the <br /> consensus seemed to be one of frustration and disappointment with the new <br />e process. Ms. Thorne added, however, that there were some significant in- <br /> sights gained by this process. <br /> Ms. Thorne said there were many significant flaws identified. Many council- <br /> ors said there was a lack of specific program information and knowledge in <br /> order to feel good about the rankings, and the ballot set-up made it diffi- <br /> cult to know the impact and relationship between programs. Some councilors <br /> also felt the ballot attempted to operate at both a policy and implementation <br /> level. Councilors also commented that the increments were too large, the <br /> lack of shared ~riorities caused problems, and the process lacked guidance <br /> and input from management. <br /> Ms. Thorne said the budget process for FY90 begins in October, and another <br /> issue that may have impact on the group dynamics of the council is the tran- <br /> sition to new leadership and new members in November. <br /> Ms. Thorne summarized by saying that the council seemed to want to remain in <br /> the role of establishing a financial planning policy framework that can give <br /> direction to the management for implementation through the budget process. <br /> She said the last year1s process did not adequately enable the council to <br /> operate at that level, so they need to get back to an appropriate starting <br /> point in order to begin. <br /> Ms. Thorne suggested that each councilor begin by sharing his or her current <br /> feelings and thoughts regarding the financial planning process. A discussion <br />e MINUTES--City Council July 27, 1988 Page 1 <br />