Discussions begin on last year’s process and plans for this year
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
The City of Elkhorn Finance and Judicial Committee began discussions Monday night on the budget process for the upcoming year, discussing what worked well last year and what could be done this year to further improve the process.
City Administrator Sam Tapson said Monday night he wanted to get a timeline and have a brief discussion Monday night prior to the budget process starting at the staff level, which he said would begin Tuesday, with Alderman Tom Myrin having only been through one budget cycle and Alderman Michael Kluck – who was elected to his first term in April – being new to the process.
Among topics for discussion from last year, Tapson noted pre-budget departmental presentations, something he said he felt was valuable, and budget review work sessions, four of which were scheduled last year, but only one of which were actually used.
Tapson said Monday night he was more or less looking to get some feedback from committee members who have been through the process on what they liked and didn’t like last year, as well as any reaction from Kluck.
Chairman Scott McClory said from his perspective having the pre-budget presentations and regular reporting throughout the process last year greatly reduced the need for budget review workshops.
Myrin agreed, noting after money was set aside for capital improvement projects, such as roads and the pool, there wasn’t much left and there wasn’t really a need for a lot of discussion.
“It was kind of cut and dry, maybe that’s why,” he said.
While Tapson said debt management will likely be a concern within the framework of the budget, it’s something the committee can’t worry too much about as the only thing the city can really do right now is focus on paying off the principle.
“It’s out there, it’s not going to go away, you’re going to manage it through that process,” he said. “The question of debt management now, aside from paying down the principle, is don’t add to the principle, at least not in the near term.”
City Finance Director James Heilman said in previous positions he’s held, they used to have the department heads come in too, which he thinks is probably a waste of time, as it’s discussions that would probably be best fit with city staff, such as the city administrator.
“I never found them to be of much benefit,” he said, noting their foot in the door is through the city administrator.
“Then he brings it to you and you ask all the questions.”
Looking at the upcoming year, McClory said it’s important to note city staffing levels are at or below those of the late 80s and cutting city staff isn’t really an option to save money.
“It doesn’t make any sense because you look at how many people lived in this city in ‘88, ’89, compared to now, and why would you ever want to cut services, cut ambulances, cut the number of cops on the road,” he said.
“So, I continue to fight that battle, sometimes solo, sometimes not, but I think that is the wrong way to go about the budget, to simply say everyone has to cut 5 percent.”
Other items Tapson said the committee will need to consider is if and to what level it continues to fund the Elkhorn Economic Development Alliance and the city’s new wages and benefits plan, as examples.
“Those are the kinds of things we need to be aware of as we go forward,” he said.
As for moving forward, the City of Elkhorn Common Council is set to review the city’s Capital Improvement Plan for 2016, which was noted as being pretty skinny with the exceptions of the possible Northeast Water Treatment Plant and any other possible needed additions, such as Market Street.
