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Councilmember Bauman reported she wanted to review additional healthcare options for the City's employees. <br />Hatch discussed the health insurance rate increase noting the information was received after the preliminary budget was <br />approved in September. He reviewed the increases each employee would be facing in 2015 with the current policy. He <br />reported that a new coop would be shopped for in 2015 in hopes of reducing the expense to the City. <br />Councilmember Bauman was in favor of separating out this information to provide the Council with a better <br />understanding. <br />Hatch noted that only 10% of the employees were participating in the wellness program. <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the City's health insurance. <br />Councilmember Bauman wanted the City to be cautious when moving forward because she believed that healthcare <br />would continue to change and increase in price. <br />Lotter recommended the Council meeting prior to the Truth in Taxation hearing next week to further discuss the health <br />insurance issues. He commented that for tonight's purposes the Council will pull the reorganization item off the Consent <br />Agenda and discuss this under New Business. The Council supported this suggestion. <br />Utility Rate Analysis and Presentation <br />Lotter explained Finance Director Davitt would be presenting this item to the Council. Director Davitt explained she has <br />reviewed the utility rates and provided the Council with a presentation on her analysis. <br />Senior Engineering Supervisor Schlichting discussed the proposed street improvements that would be completed in the <br />coming years. It was the City's hope to decrease water main breaks through the proposed projects. He reviewed the <br />other upcoming utility, flood mitigation and sanitary sewer projects. <br />Director Davitt recommended the Council support the proposed 2015 utility rates. <br />Councilmember Bauman expressed concern with the amount her water bill went up in 2014. She feared how residents <br />would respond to an additional 9% rate increase. Director Davitt explained these increases were supporting the <br />infrastructure improvements being made in the City. <br />Mayor Jacobsen expressed concern that while residents were encouraged to conserve water, their water bills continued to <br />rise. He feared how this would impact the aging population. <br />Councilmember Burg commented that the City has funded all of its utility projects without needing to issue debt, which <br />was saving residents in the long run. <br />Councilmember Strub thanked staff for the thorough report. <br />Worksession adjourned at 6:20 pm <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br />Terri Haarstad <br />City Clerk <br />