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433 <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell asked for feedback from Council about public participation in the <br />budget process. Mr. O'Connell said that staff suggest not doing a formal survey, but do <br />an on-line survey in January. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling expressed concern that a lot of people do not have access to the <br />internet. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said one question is what is the value of a survey to Council as the <br />past surveys have not been seen to drive the budget. He said that a broad survey is being <br />done as part of the Comprehensive Plan update, but it will not be available in time for the <br />budget. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said that the neighborhood meeting was well received last year and he <br />suggested doing more than one in different places. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said the value of the survey is that it provides a snapshot of what the <br />most motivated people are thinking. <br /> <br /> Councilors agreed to doing a survey with the understanding that it could have <br />costs associated with it as current staff will be unable to collate the results. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell reviewed the historical budget information presented. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said it might be worth including real estate assessments in the future <br />that are broken down into new construction, existing property, residential and <br />commercial properties, and even further, unoccupied property. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the unoccupied property information may not be <br />available. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would like to see a updated chart of budget versus revenues. <br />Mr. Schilling asked if there is a policy for using a percentage of the County revenue <br />sharing funds for the general fund and capital improvement program budgets. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that he expects the County will try to push back on increasing the <br />revenue sharing funds in the future, and suggested that we try to target areas where we <br />spend over and above for the City population to support the region, such as Parks and <br />Recreation, roads, etc. <br /> <br /> Regarding health care contributions, Mr. Schilling asked if we have looked at <br />health savings accounts. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell said that is being explored. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to see what other localities are doing with this. <br />Regarding housing programs, Dr. Brown asked how many people are getting relief. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would like the historical information (a five year picture) on <br />housing to need include land that has been given or sold at less than market value as <br />those are assets that could have been used elsewhere in the budget. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would be interested in recent efforts, perhaps only one or two <br />years back. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked if staff has a different idea about how to give money in a <br />better way to agencies. <br /> <br />Ms. Hamilton said Council could live within staff recommendations. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said an agency process is being developed that will provide ratings <br />of high, medium or low, and the recommendations will then reflect the percentage <br />increase for City departments rather than a dollar amount. <br /> <br /> <br />