Budget retreat: $67 million in project requests, Art Dye Park $600,000 over budget, council eyes property tax increase
February 27, 2020, 4:00 p.m. · Fox Hollow Golf Course, 1400 N. 200 East
At a two-day budget retreat (Feb. 27-28), staff reported $67 million in requested capital projects, Art Dye Park improvements about $600,000 over budget mainly because of a scorekeeper's tower, and a General Fund reserve about $1 million short of the policy minimum. Council members named Fire Station 52, roads and fiber their top priorities, and three favored a truth-in-taxation property tax hearing. Public Works warned the 36-inch water line must be funded or development slowed.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Capital project status and requests | Discussed |
| Debt capacity, fund balance and department big ideas | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Community survey and 2020 strategic goals update
Discussed
Camden Bird said road repair is again residents' top issue, followed by managing growth. Fire Station 52: land acquisition under way, architect RFQ drew about a dozen firms, bond expected in April. Downtown revitalization consultant delivered a high-level report.
Item 2 · Budget
Capital project status and requests
Discussed
Art Dye Park improvements, due mid-May, were about $600,000 over budget, mainly for the scorekeeper's tower, with change orders still to come. Requests total about $67 million, including Fire Station 52 and land for Station 53, a police shooting range, trail expansion to Rotary Park, 200 South improvements with phase 1 of the water line, the 36-inch water line in five phases, and PI meters with a $1.5 million matching grant.
- Change order$600,000
Item 3 · Budget
Debt capacity, fund balance and department big ideas
Discussed
The courts/police building bond retires in June as the fire station bond is added. Capacity: about $30 million in water revenue bonds, $54 million in sales tax bonds, $371 million in GO bonds. The fund balance policy requires $4,077,780 (two months); the city has about $3 million. PI revenue needs a 26% subsidy from water funds. Police asked for five officers, Fire for 14 more staff and a battalion chief; Public Works urged building water lines ahead of development; 200 South Phase 1 design was nearly complete with CRA funding.
Item 4 · Presentation
Council FY2021 strategic goals
Discussed
Top priorities: Fire Station 52, roads (a funding source for the 10-year road plan) and fiber; then communication and water/sewer; then public safety staffing, the 200 South CRA, Art Dye completion (a roundabout for safety) and a financial review. Three council members favored a truth-in-taxation hearing for a property tax increase.
What residents said
Road repair and maintenance (community survey top issue)Managing growth