Isanti Council Work Session

This was my list of priorities for the goal setting session.

1.Define work direction for city staff.
2. Board and Commission reports to Council.Appointed Council Members give a 5 to 10 minute report to the full Council on objectives and projects that are being worked on.
3. Formation of Finance and Development Review Committees.
4. Establish monthly Council work sessions.
5. Mandatory Department Head management training.
6. Review of staff representation on outside boards.
7. Monthly Department reports to Council.
8. Department goal setting by Council.
9. Direction to Boards and Commissions on attendance.
10.Development impact fee.
11. Greater Chamber of Commerce involvement.

The Council met to discuss goals for the next two years. We had some heated discussion once again about my blog and the Isanti Police Department. All other items were handled in a cordial and professional manner.

Items 1, 2, 4, and 9 from my list were discussed and agreed to by all Council members. This includes staff being once again allowed to complete the Development Impact List.

There was agreement on forming a Development Review Committee but not a Finance Committee. We discussed department head training but no resolution was reached. We did not discuss staff representation on outside boards, development impact fees or greater Chamber of Commerce involvement. I hope to continue to push for these items. I have asked to have Staff representation on outside boards discussed at the next City Council meeting.

I asked for support of a 3 and 5 year budgeting plan. A 3 and 5 year budget plan will establish Isanti's priorities. We will be able to better understand the needs and obligations to our Citizens if we have a long term view. This long term view of budgeting will help reduce excessive City spending. Long term planning is the only way we can serve the needs of all Isantians.

The 3 and 5 year budget plan along with the Development Impact List will have the longest lasting affect on our Great City. These are not the sexiest items and will not get the most press, but our City will operate at a higher level after implementation. The concern was raised by other council Members that the time needed to develop these tools is not worth staff time. I could not disagree more. The Budget Plan and Development Impact List will allow City Staff to work smarter not harder. These tools will have great time and money savings.