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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1998 <br /> <br />Council agreed that although the budget process will minimize line item review they will still receive a line <br />item budget document and information which breaks down the budget in categories such as operational costs, <br />capital costs, ongoing capital maintenance costs and projects, and other categories which have usually been <br />provided in the past. <br /> <br />Mr. Blackman then posed the question of what implications the proposed budget process might have for City <br />management staff, such as hardships in meeting schedules. Police Chief David Edwards noted that in order <br />to purchase replacement police cars at the lowest possible price he needed permission to send a letter of <br />intent to the supplier as soon as possible, in advance of the completion of the process described. Council <br />Member Haskell noted that there were a number of mismatches of schedules between the City' s budget <br />process and those of vendors and other governmental entities, which always complicates the process. Gary <br />Via, Director of Purchasing for the City noted that it was important for Council to keep in mind that most <br />City operations were minimally staffed, and that it would be a real compromise in time and resources for <br />departments to have to carry out an elaborate budget process. Mrs. Haskell agreed, stating that Council <br />Members had limitations on their time available as well. Council Member Dallas, responding to Chief <br />Edwards' comments, stated that a letter of intent could be sent, if there was a legitimate need for the vehicles <br />in question. Mrs. Lisa Ernest, Assistant Director of Finance and Human Resources, echoed Mr. Via's <br />comments, stating that there was already an ongoing process with the City Manager with regard to the <br />budget, a re-bid of the health insurance program was underway, and that there were other time critical issues <br />with which she was involved which might be tompromised by an emphasis on a complex new budget <br />process at this time. Mr. Blackman responded by suggesting that there be a one year transition to the revised <br />budget process, and that much of what would need to be captured in the way of information for that effort <br />could be gleaned from a combined Council/Staff retreat process prior to Council' s retreat this. year. There <br />then followed some discussion of the budget calendar and Mr. Reynolds noted that the City Charter calls for <br /> <br /> <br />