DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next regular Budget Committee meeting.

City of Bigfork

Budget Committee Special Meeting March 4, 2010 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers

Voting Members Present: Roger Logdahl, Bob Zimmer and City Clerk/Treasurer Mike McKinney Voting Members Absent: Howard McKinney Non-Voting Members Present: None Non-Voting Members Absent: Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld and Police Chief Jon Babcock Also Present: None

Logdahl called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

Approval of December 7, 2009 Special Budget Committee Meeting Minutes

Motion by Zimmer, second by Logdahl, to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2009 special Budget Committee meeting, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Budget Review

Logdahl noted that the City must take a hard look at the possibility of more cuts being made to local government aid. He added that one area to cut would be to eliminate the Casual Maintenance Laborer position until further notice. Zimmer noted that the City could cut the $3,000 budget towards the purchase of a new police vehicle. Logdahl noted that cuts to local government aid might be enough to threaten the entire Police Department budget.

Zimmer suggested that the City find a way to improve the interest rates on its investments. He asked if it would be possible to roll several investments together to achieve a higher interest rate. Logdahl added that the City could find investment vehicles that provide a higher interest rate than the City currently receives. City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney provided a summary of the City’s current investments.

Zimmer asked if the City Hall grant proposal would include work on the roof. Logdahl noted that the City should consider installing a sloped metal roof on City Hall to eliminate the need to rehabilitate the current roof. He also noted that some of the windows in the City Hall meeting chamber could be blocked out to conserve energy. Zimmer also felt that the City should find ways to cut its usage of electricity. He also noted that the City should avoid purchasing too much fuel oil in case it acquires a heating system that uses liquid petroleum.

Zimmer asked when the two TIF districts are set to expire. City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney noted that he did not know but that the Scenic Estates TIF was established in 2007 and the WilderNest TIF was established in 2008. City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney added that the City was still making payments on the TIF bonds. He noted that the current balance for the WilderNest fund was -$431 and the balance for the Scenic Estates fund was -$1,703. He added that property tax payments from the County include payments from those districts as separate line items.

Other Business

Zimmer asked if JOBZ funds were still available. City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney noted that they were but are set to expire in 2015. Zimmer asked if Bergquist would be allowed to take advantage of the JOBZ program if they relocated even though they are an existing business. City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney noted that the zones can be moved if necessary for a business. Zimmer asked if the City would have the necessary water and sewer infrastructure for expansion proposed by Bigfork Valley.

Adjournment

Motion by Zimmer, second by Logdahl, to adjourn, MCU. The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Michael McKinney City Clerk/Treasurer