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

City of Bigfork

Budget Committee Special Meeting December 7, 2009 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers

Members Present: Roger Logdahl, Bob Zimmer, and City Clerk/Treasurer Mike McKinney Members Absent: None Also Present: Howard McKinney

The Budget Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Public Comment

Howard McKinney asked the Committee why the City pays for benefits for the Police Chief when most of the services provided by the position are to the school district.

Unfinished Business

2009 and 2010 City Budget and Final Tax Levy

Logdahl noted that the Personnel Committee has a standing recommendation to the City Council to eliminate the Police Department and evaluate the level of police services needed for the City. Logdahl summarized various alternatives for the provision of police services in the City, including maintaining the current arrangement of a full-time Police Chief and a part-time Police Officer as well as eliminating police services entirely and depending on the Itasca County Sheriff’s Department for assistance. Zimmer and Logdahl noted that one possible alternative would be to have either a part-time Police Chief or a part-time Police Officer. Zimmer noted that it is important to maintain a visible police presence in the community. Logdahl also expressed interest in hiring an individual on a limited-term, developmental basis. City Clerk/Treasurer McKinney noted that in his conversations with City Attorney John Licke that Licke felt that eliminating the department and contracting for services would be the cleanest alternative.

The Budget Committee made a recommendation to the City Council to eliminate the Police Department but retain a portion of the funding in the Police Department budget to allow for contracting police services in 2010, if necessary.

New Business

Review Alternatives for City Police Services

Please see previous agenda item for action taken on this issue.

Review Alternatives for Police Chief Health Insurance

No formal action was taken.

Other Business

The Budget Committee made a recommendation to the City Council that Howard McKinney be added to the Budget Committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

Michael McKinney City Clerk/Treasurer