HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/11/19 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Special Study Session
November 19, 2007
Westwood Room
Discussion Items
1. 6:30 p.m. 2008 Budget Discussion
Special Study Session to be reconvened after regular City Council Meeting.
2. Wireless Update
Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please call the
Administrative Services Department at (952) 924-2525 (TDD (952) 924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of
meeting.
Meeting Date: November 19, 2007
Agenda Item #: 1
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other: Special Meeting
TITLE:
2008 Budget Discussion.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff requests that the City Council discuss the activities and programs contained in the
Community Development, Information Resources, and Finance budgets with the City Manager
and department heads. This discussion is intended to focus on the various programs in each
department and the budget necessary to accomplish those program activities. This discussion is
not structured to be a line item budget review.
POLICY CONSIDERATION:
Do the budgets adequately fund departmental activities? Are there specific questions that
Councilmembers want staff to follow-up on? Are there programs or services Council would like
to see added, deleted or changed?
BACKGROUND:
Kevin Locke, Community Development Director, Clint Pires, Chief Information Officer, and
Bruce DeJong, Finance Director, will be at the meeting on Monday to discuss their budgets for
2008. The Community Development budget is increased by $5,000 to adjust the STEP
contribution back to the $35,000 per year that existed prior to the state-aid driven budget
reductions in 2003-2004. Housing Rehabilitation shows expenditures exceeding revenues by
the amount of the Transformation Loan program. This should be supportable through use of the
approximately $2.5 million dollar fund balance.
The IR-Communications & Marketing budget has an intern proposed to assist with web site and
newsletter updates rather than using consultants at a much higher rate. The other IR budgets
show only modest increases. We have not prepared a Wireless enterprise fund budget due to the
uncertainty of the projections at this point.
Finance has changed the distribution of resources between Accounting and Assessing to reflect
the business needs in each area. Through streamlining and simplification of procedures, we are
able to reduce one position in accounting. That position will be replaced with a commercial
appraiser position. This staffing is necessary to be able to handle the increase burden of tax
petitions regarding commercial property valuation. This results in an $11,000 decrease in full-
time salaries in the two divisions.
The following is a listing of what is covered under each department in this budget discussion:
Community Development
• Planning & Zoning • Development Fund
• Housing Rehabilitation • TIF Funds
• CDBG • Housing Authority
Meeting of November 19, 2007 (Item 1) Page 2
Subject: 2008 Budget Discussion
Information Resources
• IR – Comm. & Mktg. • Technology Replacement
• IR - Tech • Cable TV
• IR - Support • Wireless
Finance
• Accounting • Assessing
Attachments: Departmental Budget Summaries
Prepared by: Bruce DeJong, Finance Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City of St. Louis Park
Community Development and Planning
Service Overview
Staffing
Community Development encompasses activities associated with Planning and Zoning, Housing, and Economic
Development. These activities require interaction with and provide staff support to the City Council, Planning
Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Housing Authority, Economic Development Authority, Special Task Forces,
and the Multi-Family Housing Coalition, to name a few. Services provided include administration of the Zoning &
Subdivision Ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan. Community Development also administers housing
programs and facilitates economic development and redevelopment.
In 2007, a .75 FTE position was added to assist the Economic Development Coordinator and Planning
Supervisor. This position will increase the departments capacity to complete complex redevelopment projects
and special planning studies. Consultants are also a key supplement to and support for staff resources. Funding
for consultants is either tied to specific projects or comes from special sources like grants or the Development
Fund.
Community
Development
Director
Planning & Zoning
Supervisor
Economic
Development
Coordinator
Housing
Supervisor
Administrative
Secretary
Senior Planner Associate Planner Assistant Zoning
Administrator
Housing Programs
Coordinator
Public Housing
Manager
Community
Development
Secretary
Housing Secretary Section 8
Manager
Maintenance
Technician
Maintenance
Mechanical
Coordinator
Public Housing
Specialist (.8)
Planner / EDA
Assistant
(.75)
Community
Development
Director
Planning & Zoning
Supervisor
Economic
Development
Coordinator
Housing
Supervisor
Administrative
Secretary
Senior Planner Associate Planner Assistant Zoning
Administrator
Housing Programs
Coordinator
Public Housing
Manager
Community
Development
Secretary
Housing Secretary Section 8
Manager
Maintenance
Technician
Maintenance
Mechanical
Coordinator
Public Housing
Specialist (.8)
Planner / EDA
Assistant
(.75)
61
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 858,135$ 912,972$ 968,204$ 1,019,147$
Supplies 1,164 1,511 4,000 4,000
Services & Other Charges 39,766 37,806 52,750 57,750
Capital Outlay - - - -
Other Expenses - - - -
Total Expenditures 899,065$ 952,289$ 1,024,954$ 1,080,897$
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
2007
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Budget Highlights
Community Development and Planning
This particular budget addresses the Planning and Zoning Division functions and overall administration of the
department. Standard inflationary increases for all staff contribute to the overall increase within Personal
Services.
Economic Development activities can be found at the back of this budget while Housing Rehabilitation
information is located under the Special Revenue Section of this budget. The Housing Authority is a seperate
legal entity from the City. Therefore, no buget related information is included within this document for the
Housing Authority.
Supplies
0.37%
Services
5.34%
Personal Services
94.29%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
62
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Revenue Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
General Property Taxes 5,440$ 6,086$ 3,000$ -$
Intergovernmental - 25,000 - -
Charges For Services 6,424 19,957 2,100 -
Special Assessments - 45,970 - -
Interest Income 54,694 64,920 48,000 60,000
Miscellaneous 521,498 561,333 461,225 583,539
Total Revenues 588,056$ 723,266$ 514,325$ 643,539$
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 201,665$ 210,199$ 215,746$ 223,902$
Supplies 2,015 43 - -
Services & Other Charges 194,022 528,993 282,073 679,273
Transfers Out 188,722 201,204 194,790 192,983
Other Expenses 133 153 - -
Total Expenditures 586,557$ 940,592$ 692,609$ 1,096,158$
Housing Rehabilitation
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Service Overview
Budget Highlights
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Revenues
The Housing Rehabilitation Fund receives the administrative bond fees on private activity revenue bonds authorized by
the City. The fee is 1/8 of 1% of the outstanding principal balance of the bonds. In accordance with City Council policy
established in 1996, monies received are to be used primarily for housing redevelopment and rehabilitation purposes.
In order to segregate these funds from other general funds, a separate fund was established in 1993.
Funds budgeted for 2008 housing rehab program activities are slightly higher than those budgeted for 2007. Total
funds budgeted for housing rehab program activities in 2008 are $1,297,100 as compared to $1,196,520 in 2007. The
2008 budget includes appropriations for various housing initiatives including $130,000 to discount single family rehab
loan programs, $10,000 associated with the establishment of Housing Improvement Areas (HIA), $30,000 to fund the
NAGP, and $40,000 to fund a Neighborhood Public Art program. The budget also includes expenditures related to the
Move-Up in the Park Programs including: $5,000 for the sale of excess public lands; $77,000 for design services,
rehab advisor, workshops, and marketing; $20,000 for an Enviromental Design & Material Use Incentive Program,
$50,000 for a Duplex Acquisition/Rehab Homeownership Program and $509,400 for the Transformation Loan Program.
New housing programs being proposed for this year include $20,000 for a Foreclosure Prevention Program, $100,000
to facilitate affordable homeownership, $100,000 for housing initiatives in a targeted neighborhood and $100,000 for
other initiatives related to implemented the 2006 Vision.. All expenditures except those for NAGP will be funded
through the Development Fund budget. As a result, only the financing sources have changed, but the programs still
remain intact. Expenditures relating to new programs or initiatives will be subject to specific City Council approval.
City of St. Louis Park
Housing Rehabilitation
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Services
61.97%
Personal Services
20.43%Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Transfers Out: Operating transfers to
other funds
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Revenue Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Intergovernmental 155,083$ 377,141$ 213,302$ 210,000$
Interest Income 106 627 - 700
Total Revenues 155,189$ 377,768$ 213,302$ 210,700$
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 6,773$ 6,048$ 6,153$ 6,240$
Supplies - - - -
Services & Other Charges 154,785 367,345 207,149 204,460
Capital Outlay - - - -
Other Expenses - - - -
Total Expenditures 161,558$ 373,393$ 213,302$ 210,700$
Community Development Block Grant
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Service Overview
Budget Highlights
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Revenues
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allows local governments to exercise greater control over
the community development process and to promote more effective use of resources to eliminate urban deterioration.
Funds are distributed according to a formula based on population and other demographic and housing statistics. The
City of St. Louis Park has been a participant in the CDBG program, formerly known as the Urban Hennepin County
Community Development program, since 1978. Funding of eligible community development activities requires that
activities principally benefit low and moderate income persons, prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or meet urgent
needs.
The timing for making decisions on the use of CDBG funds does not coincide with the City’s annual budget schedule.
The Council adopts a resolution early each spring approving the appropriations for each grant year’s award. The grant
year starts the following July 1st and the City has eighteen months in which to expend the grant monies awarded. The
allocation of CDBG funds for 2008 will not be determined until spring of 2008. Similar to the 2007 grant, a portion of the
2008 grant will be utilized to reimburse the City for administrative salaries. With the exception of personal services,
expenditures for the 2008 estimated CDBG allocation are not broken down by individual agencies, but rather shown as
a lump sum “to be allocated”. In recent years, CDBG grant funds have been utilized primarily to fund capital
improvements and contract costs. The 2007 revised budget amounts represent expenditures of CDBG funds in several
areas including: rehab of multi-family developments in the community, funding for the City’s Emergency Repair
Program and Deferred Loan programs, funding for park programming at Ainsworth and Meadowbrook Parks, funding for
a park shelter at Ainsworth Park, and funding for West Hennepin Affordable Land Trust for affordable homeownership
units.
92
City of St. Louis Park
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Community Development Block Grant
Personal Services
0%
Services
0%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and
bank charges
93
City of St. Louis Park
Information Resources: Communications & Marketing
Service Overview
Staffing
Achieving Vision St. Louis Park’s goals—informed citizens, innovative partnerships, positive public
participation, and community connections—require the City to provide proactive, targeted and timely
information and support services to citizens. Communications/Marketing disseminates information to
enable residents to take full advantage of City services, promote compliance with ordinances, foster
understanding of issues facing the community, and promote the desirability of living and doing business
in St. Louis Park. To accomplish this mission, this division publishes newsletters and the Community
Handbook, posts a web site, distributes new resident packets, issues news releases, and creates brochures
and reports.
Communications and Marketing provides service and support to all city departments regarding both internal and
external messaging needs. In 2006 the city reviewed its communication program methods and developed a
communications plan. It was determined in order to continue to provide high quality communications services, all
communications functions should be grouped together. The result was the Communications Coordinator position
moved from Administrative Services to Information Resources to work directly and converge with Cable and Web
services. Also, in order to meet communication demands, consultants are used to assist with production of
newsletters, media releases, writing, design, graphics, and general communication needs.
Our objectives are:
• to continue to provide high quality communications services to our customers
• to build capacity into the communications function to handle the increased communications needs as reflected
in the communications plan, including new methods and options to distribute information (i.e.: electronic
newsletters/subscriptions)
• to increase support to all city departments in communications and marketing
• to coordinate all of our communications activities for delivering information, including through Cable and Web
services, to both recognize and consciously exploit the convergence of technology and communications
• to begin the study on implementation of branding/total package program for marketing within our city
Communications is staffed by a full-time communications coordinator, one of two division heads, in Information
Resources. The division also includes a web developer and a combination of 6 part-time and full-time cable tv staff.
The cable tv staff and related expenses are budgeted in the Cable TV fund.
Technology and Support
Services
Director
IT
Manager
Senior Support
Services Rep
Support
Services
Representative
Support
Services
Receptionist
Communications
Coordinator
Community
TV Coordinator
Web
Developer
Program
Manager
Civic TV
Coordinator
IT Technician GIS
Technician
IT Temp
(Part Time)
Broadband
Coordinator
Program
Producer
Program
Producer
(Part Time)
Program
Producer
(Part Time)
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 127,449$ 32,328$ 99,061$ 173,932$
Supplies 355 598 - -
Services & Other Charges 44,889 150,615 119,690 146,850
Total Expenditures 172,693$ 183,541$ 218,751$ 320,782$
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Budget Highlights
Information Resources: Communications & Marketing
Changes to the 2008 budget mainly reflect additional resources needed to implement marketing and branding, based
on recommendations of a study to be completed in 2007. The community handbook is also due for re-publication in
2008. Like the City - School calendar, much of the cost of the handbook has historically been offset by sponsorship and
ad revenues. The same is planned in 2008.
Services
45.78%
Personal Services 54.22%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
City of St. Louis Park
Information Resources: Information Technologies
Service Overview
Staffing
In 2007, the Department of Information Resources (IR) was created by combining what were the Department of
Technology and Support Services (TSS) and Division of Communications and Marketing, previously part of the
Department of Administrative Services. At this time, the Division of Information Technologies (IT) was created
within IR. IT focuses on installation and maintenance of various technologies, especially digital technology. This
support allows departments to focus on improved efficiency and effectiveness of City service delivery, the re-
engineering of workflows to meet evolving business needs, and the support of decision-making processes
throughout the City. This is accomplished by departments keeping a pulse on community needs and helping to
address them through communicating with service users and citizens, the allocation of scarce resources, and
fostering both standard and innovative uses of information and technology. To these ends, the primary areas of IT
activity include mission-critical computer applications in tandem with LOGIS (Local Government Information
Systems), a 30-agency computing consortium formed through a joint powers agreement in 1972. IT’s role is to
work in cooperation with LOGIS staff in the successful use, troubleshooting, and replacement of mission-critical
applications, as well as the wide and local area networks that form a major component of the information
infrastructure. IT also collaborates with many third-party vendors in support of applications used by various
departments. PC, printer, mobile computing, and local area network technical support and maintenance is a major
function served by IT. Technical and content management of the City’s internet e-mail, web site, and the City’s
Intranet fall under IT. Blending IT with Communications and Marketing provides opportunities for convergence of
technology, communications, and information. Many believe this convergence is quickly evolving into a blend
where none of the components is distinct.
The Division of Information Technologies (IT) includes an IR division head, the IT Manager. In addition, there is
one IT Technician and one GIS Technician. Temporary employees are utilized during peak work loads.
Technology and Support Services
Director
IT
Manager
Senior Support
Services Rep
Support Services
Representative
Support Services
Receptionist
Communications
Coordinator
Community
TV Coordinator
Web
Developer
Program
Manager
Civic TV
Coordinator
IT Technician GIS
Technician
IT Temp
(Part Time)
Broadband
Coordinator
Program Producer Program Producer
(Part Time)
Program Producer
(Part Time)
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 415,119$ 524,275$ 613,993$ 386,778$
Supplies 33,438 31,325 29,700 -
Services & Other Charges 874,239 837,059 846,483 709,660
Capital Outlay - - - -
Other Expenses - - - -
Total Expenditures 1,322,796$ 1,392,659$ 1,490,176$ 1,096,438$
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Budget Highlights
Staffing
Technology and Support Services (continued)
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Information Resources: Information Technologies
IT provides staffing for citywide network and computer-related tasks. Some departments provide staffing for their
specific information management needs. Between 1983 and 2006, there was one dedicated in-house full-time PC
technician -- the Network Administrator. Temporary staffing services were used on occasion as the budget allowed. In
2006, an IT Technician was added who assists with many of the incoming IT problem requests and projects. The web
management function was also transferred from Administrative Services to IT in 2005. The Web Coordinator /
Applications Developer supports e-government, City web site content management and development, and intranet
development. This position was moved to the Division of Communications and Marketing when it became part of IR in
2007. A GIS Technician was added in 2007 to augment GIS support provided through LOGIS.
Several new and enhanced IT applications have either been added or are in process. These include an e-mail web
subscription service, a constituent response system, fleet management system, web streaming, utility billing system,
park facilities management, permits and inspections, and others. In addition, support has been provided to the
wireless study and pilot project since November 2004. Most of that is now moving to ParkWiFi and the Broadband
Coordinator. A major IT project in 2008 will be establishment of a unified backup tape library system, storage area
network, and e-mail server cluster to enhance system capacity, reliability, availability, and recovery. This becomes
ever more critical given growing reliance on electronic storage by employees and, increasingly, the public. Migration to
Vista will be studied in 2008 with actual implementation planned in 2009, when most applications are expected to be
compatible with it.
Personal Services
35.28%
Services
64.72%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
City of St. Louis Park
Information Resources: Support Services
Service Overview
Staffing
In 2007, the Department of Information Resources (IR) was created by combining what were the Department of
Technology and Support Services (TSS) and Division of Communications and Marketing, previously part of the
Department of Administrative Services. At this time, the Division of Support Services was created within IR.
Support Services is composed of office services and receptionist staff. Primary areas of Support Services activity
include City Hall reception, bulk office supplies, management of paper and imaged records, self-service centers,
copiers, fax machines, copy-duplicator, laminator, collator, folder, other office support equipment, and related
maintenance service contracts. Support Services also handles most large copying services and distribution of daily
in-coming, inter-office, and out-going standard and bulk mail, including services to remote City buildings, printing of
some neighborhood newsletters.
The Division of Support Services includes a lead Senior Support Services Representative, Support Services
Representative, and Receptionist.
Technology and Support
Services
Director
IT
Manager
Senior Support
Services Rep
Support
Services
Representative
Support
Services
Receptionist
Communications
Coordinator
Community
TV
Coordinator
Web
Developer
Program
Manager
Civic TV
Coordinator
IT Technician GIS
Technician
IT Temp
(Part Time)
Broadband
Coordinator
Program
Producer
Program
Producer
(Part Time)
Program
Producer
(Part Time)
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 415,119$ 524,275$ 613,993$ 179,901$
Supplies 33,438 31,325 29,700 33,500
Services & Other Charges 874,239 837,059 834,583 151,000
Capital Outlay - - - -
Other Expenses - - - -
Total Expenditures 1,322,796$ 1,392,659$ 1,478,276$ 364,401$
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Budget Highlights
Staffing
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Technology and Support Services
The major project above and beyond daily operational requests and duties is assistance in imaging major sets
of electronic and paper records that are important from both an archival and information retrieval perspective.
There are many official documents in the city organization and significant efforts are required to ensure they
are physically or electronically scanned into images that ensure backup and ease retrieval. Resource
limitations are what govern the pace at which such records can be scanned. Some departments may be willing
to assist, and may be the most knowledgeable, for these major projects.
Supplies
9.19%
Personal Services
49.37%Services
41.44%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
City of St. Louis Park
Information Resources: Cable Television
Service Overview
Staffing
The Information Resources Department Mission Statement says:
Provide the St. Louis Park community with effective communications, responsive technology and support
services and vital information to embrace change, empower people and enhance customer service. Cable
Television is a major activity in the Communications and Marketing Division, though it funded separately through
the Cable TV Fund.
The Cable Television Fund provides funding for various services including: cable franchise administration;
Telecommunications Advisory Commission staff support; a grant for Educational Channel 14; and Park TV
productions. Park TV is comprised of these local St. Louis Park cable TV channels: Community TV channels 15
and 96, On Location channel 16 and Civic channel 17.
Community TV Channels 15 and 96 benefit City residents, workers, and schools through use of cable TV as
personal and organizational communications, regularly offering Community Education Video Classes and
mentoring the Senior Video Club, and individual consulting with eligible persons and organizations.
Beginning in 2007, the City assumed responsibility for Local Origination channel 16, formerly provided by the
cable TV operator. The City hired staff and continued operations as On Location channel 16.
Civic TV Channel 17's mission is to produce programming about City services, civic events, and local issues;
provide coverage of public meetings; and assist City departments with audio/video needs. This programming
informs citizens and empowers their participation and influence in the governing process. These services are
provided without using property taxes because the cable operator pays franchise fees of 5% of the gross
revenues collected in St. Louis Park for the use of the public right of way. In addition, Time Warner Cable paid
the City $800,000 on June 30, 2006 to provide TV production equipment over the 15 year franchise that took
effect January 27, 2006.
The City hired a full-time Program Manager and two part-time Program Producers in 2007 to staff Park TV On Location
channel 16.
Technology and Support Services
Director
Cable TV
Community TV
Coordinator
Cable TV
Civic TV
Coordinator
IT
Technician
IT
Web Coordinator /
Applications Developer
IT
Network Administrator
Support Services
Senior Representative
Support Services
Representative
Support Services
Receptionist
IT
GIS/Applications
Technician
Program
Manager
Production
Assistant (.5)
Production
Assistant (.5)Production
Assistant
Communications
Coordinator
Technology and Support Services
Director
Cable TV
Community TV
Coordinator
Cable TV
Civic TV
Coordinator
IT
Technician
IT
Web Coordinator /
Applications Developer
IT
Network Administrator
Support Services
Senior Representative
Support Services
Representative
Support Services
Receptionist
IT
GIS/Applications
Technician
Program
Manager
Production
Assistant (.5)
Production
Assistant (.5)Production
Assistant
Communications
Coordinator
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Revenue Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Charges For Services 546,525$ 477,344$ 502,000$ 500,000$
Transfers In - - - -
Interest Income 12,716 48,127 18,000 48,300
Miscellaneous 25 800,101 800,000 -
Total Revenues 559,266$ 1,325,572$ 1,320,000$ 548,300$
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 136,550$ 156,149$ 291,736$ 328,660$
Supplies 6,728 14,223 18,000 17,000
Services & Other Charges 116,168 56,734 91,400 105,783
Capital Outlay 16,456 36,461 140,200 40,000
Transfers Out 136,066 161,041 158,109 155,063
Other Expenses 16 - - -
Total Expenditures 411,984$ 424,608$ 699,445$ 646,506$
Budget Highlights
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Revenues
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Information Resources: Cable Television
The state of communications, entertainment, and data delivery via land lines (coaxial cable, fiber optics, or
twisted pair) and RF - radio frequency - (wi fi, satellite, cellular, spread spectrum, TV broadcasting) is ever
changing. Staff will continue to monitor and influence policies through participation in pertinent
government associations. The fund balance is managed conservatively due to the possibility of legal
challenges, changes in state or federal law, or changes in revenue collected through franchise fees. Over
recent years, there have also been increases in funds transferred to the General Fund. While appropriate
in the past, continued significant or increasing allocations of Cable TV funds transferred to the General
Fund ultimately threaten Cable TV staffing and resources necessary to do the quality work on various
Services
16.36%
Capital Outlay
6.19%
Supplies
2.63%
Personal Services
50.84%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational, general,
and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Depreciation: Depreciation expense on
fixed assets
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Transfers Out: Operating transfers to
other funds
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
City of St. Louis Park
Staffing
Finance: Accounting/Treasury Division
Service Overview
The Accounting Division's primary mission is to ensure the short and long-term financial stability of the City
through the development of sound financial policies and practices. The division is responsible for maintaining
financial records and investments for both the City and Economic Development Authority, as well as providing
assistance to all city departments and divisions in daily operations. The division also contracts with the Housing
Authority to perform accounting services. Division responsibilities include:
- Prepare the City's budget document and annual comprehensive financial report
- Responsible for collection, investment, disbursement, and documentation of City funds
- Coordinate the Capital Improvement Program
- Provide billing, collection, and accounting for all utility accounts
- Manage cash and investments
- Manage debt issuance
- Prepare financial forecasts to ensure viability of programs
- Risk Management
The Accounting/Treasury division is staffed by the Director of Finance, Assistant Finance Director, three (3)
Accountants, and five (5) Accounting Clerks. Two of the Clerks are funded by Enterprise Funds. Additional
allocations are made to the Economic Development Authority, Housing Authority and other funds throughout
the City for services provided by this division.
Finance Director
Assistant Finance
Director
City Assessor
Accountant (2)Senior Account
Clerk
Accounting
Clerk (4)
Commercial
Appraiser
Residential
Appraiser II
Residential
Appraiser I
Senior Accountant
Assessing
Technician
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 456,526$ 534,836$ 531,128$ 506,254$
Supplies 2,476 3,079 2,600 2,800
Services & Other Charges 111,573 131,792 136,632 153,016
Capital Outlay - - - -
Other Expenses 1,348 1,794 450 450
Total Expenditures 571,923$ 671,501$ 670,810$ 662,520$
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
Budget Highlights
Finance: Accounting/Treasury Division
The 2008 budget reflects a fully staffed department. The increase in services and other charges is mainly due to a
substantial increase in the City's liability insurance premiums for the April 1, 2007 renewal period. All other expenses
remain stable with minimal inflationary increases.
Services
21.17%Supplies
0.39%
Personal Services
78.38%
Other Expenses
0.06%
Personal Services: All salary
and benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and
bank charges
City of St. Louis Park
Finance: Assessing Division
Service Overview
Staffing
The Assessing Division is responsible for the annual valuation and classification process involving 16,000+ parcels of
real estate located in St. Louis Park. The assessing function is statutorily required and serves as the foundation for the
property tax system in Minnesota. Related services include quintile inspections; new construction and permit
inspections; homestead processing; tax court defense; abatements; maintenance and operation of the Property Data
System (PDS); resource assistance for special assessments, housing improvement associations, acquisition &
classification of right-of-way; and an information support function for internal and external customers.
The Assessing Division of the Finance Department will be staffed in 2008 with 5 full-time employees. Staff
included in this budget are two residential appraisers, an assessing technician, the city assessor, a commercial
appraiser and a part-time intern. Full-time staffing levels will revert back to the level before the significant Local
Government Aid cuts several years ago forced reductions.
Finance Director
Assistant Finance Director City Assessor
Accountant (2)Senior Account
Clerk
Accounting
Clerk (4)
Commercial
Appraiser
Residential
Appraiser II
Residential
Appraiser I
Senior Accountant
Assessing
Technician
City of St. Louis Park
2005 2006 2007 2008
Expenditure Classification Actual Actual Adopted Proposed
Personal Services 370,421$ 357,134$ 367,542$ 445,154$
Supplies 1,391 2,967 1,000 1,200
Services & Other Charges 11,050 12,945 14,130 14,340
Capital Outlay - - - -
Other Expenses 160 - - -
Total Expenditures 383,022$ 373,046$ 382,672$ 460,694$
Summary of Actual & Budgeted Expenditures
2008 Budgeted Expenditures
Budget Highlights
Finance: Assessing Division
The budget for the Assessing Division has fluctuated over the past few years due to staffing changes and internal
shifts for cost allocations. The Division and other LOGIS cities utilize a redesigned Property Data System (PDS-
LOGIS) which has recently been completed and implemented. The primary cost for the system will be paid for by
LOGIS. The budget request for 2008 continues to include allocation for an intern to leverage the full-time staff
workload.
Supplies
0.26%Services
3.08%
Personal Services
96.66%
Personal Services: All salary and
benefit expenditures
Supplies: Office, operational,
general, and non-capital
Services: Contractual services,
insurance, utilities, repairs
Capital Outlay: Equipment &
improvements
Other Expenses: Interest and bank
charges
Meeting Date: November 19, 2007
Agenda Item #: 2
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other: Special Meeting
TITLE:
Wireless Update.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
To update Council on the wireless project. Please note that the actual status of the project may
change between the time Council receives this report and the study session, based on additional
work completed. As a result, an updated status report will be provided at the Study Session.
POLICY CONSIDERATION:
None at this time.
BACKGROUND:
At its October 22, 2007 study session, Council received and discussed an update on the wireless
project from ARINC representatives. The purpose of this meeting is to provide another update
based on work performed since October 22. City staff will be present to provide the update and
anticipated project operational and financial status scenarios as we approach November 30, 2007.
VISION CONSIDERATION:
None.
Prepared by: Clint Pires, Chief Information Officer
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager