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thoughts after the recess. The worksession meeting recessed at 8:22 p.m. <br /> Mayor Johnson reconvened the meeting at 8:27 p.m. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth stated she was still digesting the budget but noted her initial thoughts were that she <br /> was hung up on the percentage increase. She indicated a double-digit increase was a concern to her. She was <br /> worried about the public message this would send. She feared a 12.8% increase would not be well received, <br /> especially given the high increase that was approved last year. She explained she supported the Public Safety <br /> Officer and saw the value that would be added to the community. She commented she would like to learn <br /> more about the administrative intern position and if there were other funding sources available for this <br /> position. She explained she would need time to further digest the budget to better understand the requests. <br /> Councilmember Allen commented overall, he appreciated the thorough presentation from staff He believed <br /> the City was trying to right size the services being provided. He stated he needed to better understand the <br /> requested positions in order to understand the value add. He explained he was interested in learning more <br /> about the community survey given the changing demographics of the City. He stated he wanted to learn more <br /> about the rental and transit needs in the community given the new housing that would be added. He believed <br /> this was a project that would have merit. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth asked if this meant increasing proposed levy in order to include this initiative. <br /> Councilmember Allen stated this would be the case. <br /> Councilmember Burg indicated she was very concerned with the proposed increase. She stated she supported <br /> the City having a Racial Equity Coordinator and appreciated the fact the City was seeking partnerships. <br /> However, she did not support a double-digit levy increase. She supported the City remaining proactive with its <br /> technology replacements,but recommended the levy increase come back lower than 10%. <br /> Lotter stated this was valuable feedback for staff. <br /> Councilmember Jacobsen indicated there were so many great things,but they could not all be done at once. He <br /> recommended the levy increase be reduced to a single digit number. <br /> Mayor Johnson stated she would be speaking honestly because she had great admiration for everyone in the <br /> room. She indicated this number was pretty high and she was disappointed with the fact the Racial Equity <br /> Coordinator position had not been included in the budget. She recommended the billboard revenue be used to <br /> beautify the City. She stated she feared how the Parks Comprehensive Plan would lead to additional expenses <br /> in the coming years. She explained she came into being Mayor at a difficult time and stated she was not <br /> looking forward to fighting for another 10%+ levy increase. She discussed how this would impact those <br /> seeking reelection. She indicated she would fight for this if the entire Council supported that increase, but <br /> noted she would like to see more inclusivity items brought into the budget. She understood the IT Department <br /> was understaffed for quite some time and that this Council now had to pick up the pieces. She indicated she <br /> was at a loss because she also didn't know what to cut from the budget. <br /> Councilmember Burg explained she has been on the Council for quite some time. She reported a past Council <br /> was quite dysfunctional and she appreciated how well this Council worked together. <br /> Councilmember Dunsworth stated taking the reelection portion out of the equation she just feared the public <br /> would not be able to take another 10% levy increase. She feared it would appear the Council was writing <br /> blank checks to the City and just anything goes. She explained she understood the IT Department was in need <br />