With revenue numbers down, council weighing all options

Brainerd kicked off its 2010 budget work by reviewing revenues for all departments.

In a special meeting Monday, the Brainerd City Council was given a rundown of estimated revenues for 2009 and where the numbers actually were.

The answer was lower than expected. In addition to losing a large amount of local government aid, City Administrator Dan Vogt said revenues were down in building permits, court fines and in delinquent taxes.

"We go through all revenues with a fine-tooth comb. Do we hit them exactly correctly? No, we don't," he said.

Vogt emphasized that department heads realize cuts will have to be made.

"I think the public has to know they're not going to be getting what they've been getting" Vogt said.

Council member Anne Nelson Fisher said all departments provide essential services for the city and that the council should leave open the option of levying back the money it had lost in local government aid, as was allowed by the Legislature.

"I know comments were made in the last workshop that people didn't want to look at that but I think we need to keep that option available, even if we didn't levy the full amount back," Fisher said.

Council members Bob Olson and Mary Koep disagreed. Olson said there were other cuts that can be made. Koep said the city has to look at which city employees are essential and which could be cut.

"I think we need to go through our programs one by one, our employees one by one and see where the revenues are not coming in and make some adjustments," Koep said.

Vogt said revenues could increase from some permits and Finance Director Theresa Goble said there is an increase in Brainerd Public Utilities revenue. City Engineer Jeff Hulsether said the council may want to look at increasing fees as the amount of time spent on inspections and other jobs has increased.

Vogt asked the council to keep every option on the table. Vogt and Goble will meet with Koep and council member Kevin Goedker once department heads have finished their budgets.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.