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2023 Budget Discussion <br /> <br />Foschi presented the 2023 City Manager recommended budget, including recent changes. She discussed the <br />items that were being deferred per the recommendations of the directors and explained the proposed levy <br />increase was now 9.88%, which was down from 11.35%. She commented further on the 2023 budget and <br />asked for comments from the Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information from Director Paetznick on the recruiting process for <br />the Public Safety Department. Paetznick stated recruitment was a challenge at this time for local law <br />enforcement. He reported he was authorized to have 31 licensed peace officers and he currently had 28. He <br />believed the department was in a good position compared to other agencies. He explained he had 13 candidates <br />for the last recruitment process. He commented on the pathways to policing programs that were in place <br />through PSO’s and Explorers noting these programs have helped with recruiting. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how competitive New Brighton was compared to other departments and <br />asked if there were any options the Council should be considering for 2023. Paetznick stated the department <br />has a lateral job posting that was running on a continual basis. He reported many departments were doing this, <br />while also offering cash incentives with preloaded vacation and sick leave for lateral transfer officers. He <br />stated he has not had any success with this, but noted other agencies have more money to offer as incentives. It <br />was his understanding some departments were boosting pay to assist with retention and recruitment due to how <br />competitive the market was at this time. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked when the City would be negotiating the contracts with for the Public Safety <br />Department. Massopust reported this would be done in 2023. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth reported the market was so hypercompetitive right now for all jobs. She stated she <br />was really proud of the type of service and the level of service the New Brighton Public Safety Department <br />was providing to the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle supported the City focusing on the staff they already have to make sure these staff <br />members know they are valued and appreciated in these unusual times. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked the team for hearing the Council’s concerns and for bringing the levy <br />increase down to single digits. She questioned what the implications would be if the City were not to make a <br />contribution to the fire relief fund in 2023. Paetznick discussed how the municipal contribution assisted with <br />raising the benefit level for the relief association, which was a positive for the organization. <br /> <br /> <br />Worksession adjourned at 5:53 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Terri Spangrud <br />City Clerk <br />