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219 <br /> <br />could be made in the ~75,000 range. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that he felt Council should make the <br />decision if programs and services are to be reduced, not the <br />City Manager's office. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that Council needed to give staff <br />direction regarding budget reductions, and nOted that <br />~169,000 remains undesignated in the proposed budget. Mr. <br />Hendrix stressed that he would not favor proposing reductions <br />in staff unless Council seriously intends to make those <br />reductions as such as exercise can be damaging to staff <br />morale and prodUctivity. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever suggested that staff make recommendations <br />of what could be cut to reduce the tax rate by 3 cents and by <br />6 cents. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt Mr. Vandever,s <br />recommendation would be a damaging exercise. <br /> <br /> Upon questioning by Mr. Buck, .Council members indicated <br />they were not willing to make reductions in the Police <br />Department~ Fire Department, or Social Services Department. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever recommended transferring funds in the <br />gas budget to the capital budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that it was his recommendation that <br />~1.4 million of the working capital in the gas fund be used <br />to reduce the gas rates for customers. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he felt there were significant <br />savings to be made in the enterprise funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that major funds will be needed for <br />reconstruction of old gas lines throughout the City. Mr. <br />Hendrix stated that he felt it would be necessary to increase <br />the utility rates to raise sufficient funds to put into the <br />City's general fund. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters, Mr. Buck and Rev. Edwards stated that they <br />would be comfortable asking the staff to make recommendations <br />for reductions to the proposed budget in the range of <br />$75~000. Mr. Vandever stated that he would like to see a <br />minimum of $75,000 in recommended reductions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck and Ms. Waters stated that they did not favor <br />moving utility funds to the general fund. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards, Mr. Towe, and Mr. Vandever stated that <br />they favored additional discussion of transferring utility <br />funds. Mr. Towe stated that he may favor transferring <br />utility funds if it would provide funds for a salary increase <br />for City employees. <br /> <br /> The meeting was adjourned. <br />Pre~ent ( <br /> <br /> <br />