HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 08.12.1997Minutes of the City Council of Laurel
August 12, 1997
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 Chuck Rodgets at 7:00
p.m., on August 12, 1997 for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the
preliminary budget and tax resolutions.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bud Johnson
Norman Orr
Dirk Kroll
Donna Kilpatrick
William Staudinger
Gay Easton
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Gary Temple
Miles Walton
This being the time and place advertised, a public hearing was held on the
preliminary budget and tax resolutions.
The Mayor gave an overview of the budget for fiscal year 1997-98.
He stated that 1-105 still continues to play havoc with the budget process.
Back in 1986, when 1-105 was put in place, the mill value has increased $ 455.00
from $ 5,745.00 in 1986 to $ 6,200.00 today.
In regards to the cemetery budget, we need to look at purchasing more land for
future use. If we are not able to purchase adjoining land, it will be very
costly to operate the cemetery in two different locations.
Chuck said the police department budget reflects approximately one-third of the
General Fund budget. As crime increases within the city, we need to address the
fact that we need more officers and there may be the possibility that the
position of animal control officer would be combined with police officer for a
full time position. The difference in pay, at the current rate, would only be
44 cents an hour to have a certified officer on the streets.
The fire department budget operates basically as an enterprise fund. For the
most part, they are self-sufficient with the revenue they take in. Chuck stated
we are very thankful for all the volunteers who give of their time.
With the upcoming census in the year 2000, we may be forced to have a paid fire
department, in some form or another, if we become a Class II city. The city
cannot afford a full time paid fire department. This would run in the
neighborhood of one million dollars. Hopefully, we could meet the requirement
by having one paid person.
Motion by Alderwoman KilDatrick to close the public hearing, seconded by
Alderman Orr. Motion carried 6--0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Cathy G~ian, Deputy City Clerk
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, this 19th day of August, 1997.
ATTEST:
Donald L. Rackmann, City Clerk