04-A City Council Budget Workshop (3)

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SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF P AIDS September 12, 2007 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special budget workshop meeting at 5:00 P. M. Wednesday, September 12, 2007, at the City Council Chamber, Conference Room, 107 E. Kaufinan, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Jesse James Freelen Council Members: Will Biard; Mary Ann Fisher; Stephen Brown; Don Wilson; Kevin Gray; and Bill Strathern, Mayor Pro Tern City Staff: Kevin Carruth, City Manager; Kent McIlyar, City Attorney; and Janice Ellis, City Clerk 1. Mayor Freelen called the meeting to order at 5: 10 p.m. Kevin Carruth gave the invocation. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Fisher led the pledge. 3. Budget workshop - Discuss Proposed 2007-2008 Budget. Based on direction from City Council on September II, 2007, Kevin Carruth presented Council with a list of proposed decreased budget items (See Exhibit "A" attached hereto). Council Members Wilson and Strathem both stated they had a problem with taking money from reserves. Mayor Freelen asked about the common practi ce for keeping reserves on hand. Kevin Carruth stated 90 to 120 days was common. Kevin said it was his understanding Council instructed him to move funds from the reserves and place in the general fund. Mayor Freelen said that was correct, but that was to be done for only one year. Kevin asked for a consensus as to what Council wanted to have in reserves. Council discussed the possibility of cutting the car allowances, holding off on putting the two pay plans together, and holding off on reclassifications. Council also discussed options of paying off past leases. Council Member Strathern left the meeting at 6: I 5 p.m. Council Member Wilson wanted to know how difficult it would be for Kevin to go back and make cuts in the amount of $436,000.00 without going into the reserves. Mayor Freelen said that was not fair to Kevin, because it was futerim City Manager, Ernie Clark's budget and it was too