HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 08.03.1988Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
August 3, 1988
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor
Bob Gauthier at 7:05 p.m., on August 3, 1988 for the purpose of
holding a public hearing on the 1988-89 Preliminary Budget.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Ervin Wood
Donna Kilpatrick
L.D. Collins
Chuck Dickerson
Bob Graham
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Bruce Teeters
Chuck Rodgers
This being the time and place advertised and according to MCA
7-6-4288, a public hearing was held.
There was no one present in the audience.
The Mayor stated he made a final copy because there were many
revisions. Many of the revisions came from the insurances since the
City received the actual costs on the liability.
The Mayor stated the City received certification for the mill levy and
it went down about 9% from last year and new budget was done with a
cut of approximately 5% in mind. The Mayor said he cut approximately
$ 60,000.00 from last years budget but this is still $ S0,000.00
short. He cut another $ 10,000.00 from insurances and is still about
$ 23,000.00 short.
The Mayor said a law states that if the taxable valuation drops by 5%
or more, the City can levy an amount not to exceed the 1986 level.
This means the City could levy 69 mills instead of 65. The other
alternatives are to eliminate positions or freeze salaries and still
eliminate positions. If the salaries are frozen at the current level,
it would amount to approximately $ 14,000.00 in the General Fund.
The city received the certified mill levy last week and in the short
time frame left, the Mayor feels he can meet the budget by raising the
mills from 65 to 69 and by adding 1 mill to the employees health
insurance. One mill was also added to the storm sewer bonds and
interest, which however, does not fall under the 1-105 tax freeze.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding revenue, expenditures, wage
freezes, wage increases, layoffs, and the mill levies.
Motion by Alderman Collins to close the public hearing, seconded
by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 5--0.
Motion by Alderman Collins to approve the revised preliminary
budget, seconded by Alderman Graham. Motion carried 5--0.
The meeting was adjourned at
7:52 p.m.
Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk
Approved by The Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City
Laurel, Montana, this 16th day of August, 1988.
of
ATTEST:
Donald L. Hackmann, City Clerk