CC Minutes - 01/22/07 Work Session

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office of sustainability, or just include library services as they were currently funded by the levy, it would be necessary to use reserves, find new revenue sources, or establish other priorities and make strategic reductions in services. Mr. Poling stated that he could not support the motion because any councilor could make a similar motion with respect to his or her favorite department without knowing what the proposed budget was. He was a — supporter of the Library; but, putting library services above public safetyfire, emergency services, police — and public workswas a major mistake. He was also opposed to such a motion before a budget had been proposed because budgets fluctuated from year to year and it limited the council’s ability to decide where to make necessary cuts. He felt that library services were very worthwhile to the community but did not rise to the level of needed services such as public safety. Ms. Taylor asked about the extent of the cuts being contemplated to library services. City Manager Taylor replied that no reductions in library services were currently being considered, but there was a range of potential cuts that could avoid eliminating branch libraries. He said there would be a systematic review of all City services as part of a two-year strategy for balancing the budget. Ms. Taylor asked if the council’s adoption of a police priority meant even more money would be spent on police than previously planned. City Manager Taylor said it was difficult for him to see how in the budget for FY08 any police staffing could be added if 100 percent of Library costs were picked up. He said whether the council’s adoption of a police priority increased the commitment to police funding was a discussion for the council and the Budget Committee. Mr. Pryor stated he thought the subject of the motion should be brought before the Budget Committee and not decided ahead of time by the council. He was interested in having the City Manager prepare the best budget he believed possible under the circumstances and then have the discussion of that occur at the Budget Committee where everyone was present and all options were on the table. He said the value of the Budget Committee was that everyone could put forth their opinions and he was reluctant to place limitations on that discussion. He could not support the motion and encouraged the City Manager to prepare the best budget possible with the guidance already provided by the council. Mr. Clark said that library services were very important to him and he heard frequently from residents of the north central part of the City how important the Sheldon branch was to them. He heard in the City Manager’s discussion of strategies that branch library services might or might not be considered. He did not want to short-circuit the established budget process or tie the manager’s hands for developing creative options for funding all services adequately or take away the valuable input from the citizen members of the Budget Committee. He suggested at some point the priority matrix process could be used to determine how services could be funded. Mr. Zelenka recalled that the City Manager indicated the budget would be balanced by using reserves. City Manager Taylor said it was likely that using reserves would be necessary to maintain the budget for next year. Mr. Zelenka remarked that the plan was to fund half of library services from the levy and half from the General Fund and, over the next four years, phase all library services into the General Fund. He asked if cuts to library services would be unnecessary if no more services were added to the budget. City Manager Taylor replied that was not the case; just to fund the additions made last year with respect to the police MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 22, 2007 Page 3 Work Session