The most pressing and debated topic was the potential restructuring of the assistant city administrator position. Following the resignation of the previous assistant, the mayor recommended transitioning the role to a finance director/clerk position. The mayor emphasized that this change would enhance the city’s financial expertise, particularly as it faces challenges related to funding capital improvement projects and other financial initiatives. This proposal stemmed from an evaluation of the city’s needs.

During the discussion, a council member expressed concerns about the proposed reorganization. The council member pointed out that other cities have positions like city administrator, city clerk, and treasurer. The dialogue reflected differing opinions on how best to approach the financial needs of the city, with some members advocating for expanding the responsibilities of the current finance specialist rather than creating a new full-time position.

The mayor acknowledged the ongoing challenges in financial management and underscored that while the finance specialist currently manages day-to-day operations, a finance director would provide higher-level oversight and strategic direction. Ultimately, the council did not reach a consensus on the restructuring, highlighting the need for further discussion and evaluation.

Another topic was the budget discussion for the upcoming fiscal year. The mayor presented the draft budget, noting that property tax revenue was initially listed as zero, as the levy would be determined later. Various revenue sources were discussed, including delinquent taxes adjusted based on year-over-year actuals and the status of tax forfeiture sales. The mayor also mentioned the current number of short-term rentals and the low business license renewals for the year, attributed to their biennial renewal cycle. A notable increase in golf cart permits, with over 700 issued, was acknowledged, prompting the need to order additional permits.

The council also reviewed the expenditures, noting minimal changes across various departments. A shift in healthcare providers from Health Partners to Medica was discussed, resulting in no increase in premiums for the upcoming year. The mayor highlighted a slight increase in training and education budgets to align with a focus on professional development.

Budgetary considerations also included a discussion on increasing the budget for city attorney services to $30,000 based on actual year-over-year data. The council reviewed various budget lines, such as liability assurance, audit accounting, and animal control, all showing slight increases. The need to update the city’s chart of accounts was acknowledged, with a proposal from ABDO for assistance.

Concerns about human resources support were raised, especially in the absence of a personnel committee. The council discussed whether to include HR services in the budget and considered various firms for HR-related assistance. It was acknowledged that the council lacked HR training, making it challenging to handle personnel issues effectively.

The conversation included discussions on public safety, with a report on overtime and training education budgets. The chief introduced several grants applied for through Sourcewell, which could benefit the city financially. These grants would partially fund necessary maintenance and equipment upgrades, alleviating some costs for the city.

A focus was also placed on the city’s technological shortcomings, particularly in records management and payment processing systems. The existing system lacks an online portal for customer transactions, leading to inefficiencies. Janette, a key staff member, described the challenges faced in sewer billing and the inefficiency of the current system, which requires manual downloads to the financial software.

The council reviewed potential systems to upgrade the city’s current system, with Casselle favored for its robust features and user-friendly customer portal. The total cost for the first year of implementation with Casselle was proposed at $92,200, covering data conversion, staff training, and the annual service fee thereafter.

Public safety initiatives were also discussed, including the need to upgrade the access control system at the public safety building and the acquisition of equipment like ballistic helmets and Lucas devices. The Chief of Police emphasized the importance of equipping officers with protective gear, referencing recent incidents.

The council deliberated on the allocation of funds for street improvements and the potential bonding for a project known as Bushman. A council member suggested setting aside funds for street improvements rather than using them for Bushman, which may require bonding. The dialogue emphasized the importance of starting the funding process for street improvements, with a suggestion to dedicate proposed funds towards immediate needs.