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Budget Committee is unclear and needs to be addressed. e Mr. Bennett asked why time is being spent discussing line-item issues, instead of program cuts. Mayor Obie said line item cuts can solve part of the problems. Ms, Ehrman suggested that a combination of the two would be helpful. Mr. Holmer said savings on line-item cuts may save a program. He said line-items cannot be ignored as long as the focus is kept on policy. Ms. Bascom asked if it is appropriate to have the Mayor as part of the Budget Committee. Mr, Rutan said consideration of that would be part of the overall review of the Budget Committee process, but he feels the inclusion of the Mayor is legitimate. Mayor Obie said the Mayor may have a unique role of making recommendations to the Budget Committee. Mr, Bennett said he is not willing to be second guessed by the Budget Committee, although it is appropriate to have public input up front. Mr. Rutan said that when next year's budget is discussed, he wants to make sure the council is willing to take a strong stand and positive distinctive action to balance the budget. Ms. Wooten agreed the council must stand up to budget cuts but added that the problem is that councilors do not agree on what programs should be cut. Ms. Ehrman underscored the fact that the public must remember that the City system is based on a volunteer council and Mayor who have other commitments and who are not budget analysts. Ms. Bascom asked if the council has discredited the ASA approach. Mayor Obie said if Mr. Gleason wants to recommend using that approach, he can. e Mayor Obie summarized the consensus views of the council today: 1) include council input on making a more elaborate list of priorities; 2) include the recommendations by the City Manager on program cuts; 3) deal with administrative financial policies; 4) include a refined ballot each year; 5) include potential phasing and restructuring of programs; and 6) include consideration of the Mayor's role in the budget process. Mayor Obie said that it seems that new revenue is not in the cards for the near future. He said he has received feedback from all sectors of the community who are not willing to consider new revenues. Mr. Holmer said there are some things that may warrant going to the people for specific requests for revenue, such as a new library, but not as a general source of new revenue. Mr. Rutan said he would not rule out new revenue opportunities such as the opportunity to expand the base of the gas tax or receive more road tax money, but he does not want to see increases in the cost of government. Ms. Schue advised councilors to read the list of capital projects the City is planning to do; she said many of them are not that urgent, Mr. Bennett said there is a procedure of prioritizing capital projects; he said they move up the list and are a long-term investment to the community. Ms. Wooten said the City cannot continue to defer capital projects if new revenues are not examined. Mayor Obie asked Mr. Wong for a list of the capital items not on that list. e MINUTES--City Council Work Session June 13, 1988 Page 6