HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-18 Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 18, 1996
7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
COUNCILMEMBERS
PRESENT
OFFICIALS
SPECIAL ISSUES
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES
Tukwila City Hall
Council Chambers
Council President Carter called the meeting to order at 8:13 p.m.
JOE DUFFIE; JOAN HERNANDEZ; PAM CARTER, Council
President; ALLAN EKBERG; STEVE MULLET; JIM
HAGGERTON; PAM LINDER.
JOHN McFARLAND, City Administrator; ALAN DOERSCHEL,
Finance Director; LUCY LAUTERBACH, Council Analyst; JANE
CANTU, City Clerk.
Council continued their review and discussion of the Proposed
1997 budget.
Mayor Rants announced that the City is looking at declining
revenue over the long term because of the taxation on research and
development costs and the manufacturing tax that will be exempted
in the future. Over the next six years, the City may be looking at a
$3.5 million reduction in total costs of the Six Year Plan. The City
experienced a $7 million reduction in property tax revenue this
year. In 1997 and 1998 the budget will still have surplus funds;
however, by 1999, the City will be looking at a deficit of $600,000-
$700,000. Rants proposed that Council and administration take a
serious look at downsizing city government and consciously
determine where reductions can be made. Rants predicted major
problems if the City doesn't plan for this future deficit. Finance
Director provided materials showing some options, including a
reduction in services, that would allow for a balanced budget in
1998 and 1999. Rants noted that two of the issues that make it
difficult to deal with the budget are the police costs and the amount
of money the City has invested in the criminal effort
(approximately $1 million) for the coming year. While these costs
are climbing, the City is losing $600,000 in revenue. Rants
recommended Council discuss how to deal with these increasing
costs and decreasing revenues in depth at their council retreat, then
meet with staff and the administration to see what suggestions
and /or options the group can come up with.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole
November 18, 1996
Page 2
Special Issues (con't) Also discussed was the recent non represented salary survey.
Continuation of 1997 Budget Mayor Rants clarified that because it was a survey only and not a
Discussions salary study, it did not address any of the wage enhancements the
comparable cities offer in their benefit packages such as longevity
pay. The consultant who prepared the survey indicated Tukwila's
salary plan had not been re- vamped in 10 -11 years. Rants
suggested a new salary study be done within the first six months of
1997 with a caveat that whatever is determined be retroactive to
January 1. Rants noted the survey is available for Council's
perusal through Personnel. Questions may be directed to Viki
Witschger, Administrative Services Director.
ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY HERNANDEZ, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT
9:43 p.m.
THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED.
Pam Carter, Council President
Jar,)E. Cantu, City Clerk