HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-09 City Council Minutes Approved OSS Y Off',
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City Council Study Session Minutes— November 9, 2009
At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Maxwell called the regularly scheduled study session of November 9, 2009 to
order. Nick Petrish, Erica Pickett, Brad Adams, Bill Turner, Cynthia Richardson and Brian Geer
were present. Kevin McKeown was absent.
Finance Department Update to Council
Finance Director Steve Hoglund presented an updated financial report. Mr. Hoglund reviewed the
Compliance Report which summarizes the compliance of City investments with its investment
policy. Mr. Adams asked if invested resources can be withdrawn without penalty. Mr. Hoglund
replied that the City can cash out its investments at any time but that there would be some level
of penalty for early withdrawal and noted that currently all the City's investments mature within 12
months. Mr. Hoglund then reviewed year to date General Fund revenues and expenditures by
category. Overall at 83% through the year revenues are about one half a percent above
expenditures at 77.2% of budget vs. 76.6% for expenditures. Mr. Turner asked if the City receives
its share of property taxes from the State in cases where property owners do not pay them. Mr.
Hoglund responded that the City does not collect its property taxes until the State collects them
and that there is usually a very small level of delinquency. Mr. Hoglund then reviewed the City's
revenue streams in detail. Sales tax, which forms 30% of the general fund, is down 23% year to
date compared to 2008 which was already significantly lower than 2007. Impact fees year to date
are 24% lower than 2008, again significantly lower than prior years. Impact fees for the
Chandler's Square expansion and the Marine Skills Center have helped this year. Real estate
excise tax (REET) revenue year to date is down 30% from 2008.
Mr. Hoglund reviewed fund balances vs. budget for each fund. The funds that are showing
negative balances are primarily those that were already budgeted to use cash reserves. The
ambulance fund is of some concern but cash reserves will be used if required to keep
ambulances running. Impact fees were not budgeted to be spent this year and will be saved up
for future projects. The Community Development fund will require a budget amendment for
additional CDBG grant funds received and expended. All utility funds are performing per budget
with the use of capital reserve funds for the sewer plant project. Phase III of the Flounder Bay
dredging project will move into next year. The Fireman's Pension Trust Fund is strong. Mr. Turner
thanked Mr. Hoglund for the very understandable presentation. Mr. Adams asked the status of
streamlined sales tax. Mr. Hoglund replied that the program is in effect now, has been of financial
benefit to the City, and that the quarterly payments received to date are reflected in the sales tax
numbers just presented.
Memo on Substantial Need
Mr. Hoglund read through the packet materials on this topic and recommended that Council adopt
a resolution declaring substantial need at its next regular meeting on November 16, 2009 due to
significant declines in sales tax revenue, REET, impact fees, interest income, and building
revenues. A 1% increase in sales tax would bring in an additional $41 K to help offset the
decreases in other revenue sources. Mrs. Richardson acknowledged that some community
members may feel even a 1% increase is hurtful but said that cutting services hurts people, too.
She stated that the $41 K would help maintain services in the face of over$800K in decreased
revenue and that it was important to take the 1% increase. Mayor Maxwell clarified that the City
only gets 20% of the property taxes collected so the 1% increase only applies to approximately
20% of a resident's property tax bill. Mr. Geer called $41 K a drop in the bucket and asked what
happens if the City doesn't take the increase. Mr. Hoglund said the budget would have to be
adjusted to remove another$41 K of expenditures. Mrs. Pickett observed that a 1% increase
results in an extra $6 per year for someone paying $3,000 in property tax now and noted that
none of the City's expenses are decreasing. Mr. Turner stated that the City spends money very
prudently and that taking the 1% increase is prudent to maintain services in the community.
Mayor Maxwell observed that back in 1999 the City's millage rate was$2.314 per$1000 of
Anacortes City Council Study Session Minutes November 9, 2009 1
assessed value whereas by 2009 the millage rate had actually decreased to $1.359 per$1000 of
assessed value. Anacortes still has the lowest property taxes of any city in the county. Mr. Adams
asked for a definition of the Implicit Price Deflator(IPD)that caps the property tax rate unless the
city declares substantial need. Mr. Hoglund explained, noting that this is the first time since
Referendum 747 passed that the IPD has been negative. Mayor Maxwell and Mr. Turner
observed that they have not seen any reductions in prices for goods and services purchased by
the City.
Other Business
Mrs. Pickett reported that she and Mayor Maxwell were recently honored to participate in a
Samish Nation ceremony to name the new orca calf in J Pod. Representatives of the Whale
Museum in Friday Harbor showed photos of the new calf, many taken from Lime Kiln State Park.
The calf was named Se-Yi'-Chn (pronounced "sea-ee-chin")which means "little sibling" in the
Samish language.
There being no further business, at approximately 8:20 p.m. Mayor Maxwell adjourned the
regularly scheduled study session of November 9, 2009.
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