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n FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _g_ May 11, 2005 Consideration of a resolution re ardin~ consolidated 911 disnatchin~ (continued) Council member Lamb said that some cities will not reduce their levy by $23,000, like Falcon Heights will, and will use that money for other services. Taxpayers will have a real $10 million property tax increase, minus the $23,000. Falcon Heights has contacted City administrators, managers and mayors in Ramsey County to explain our position. We wholeheartedly endorse a single dispatch center in Ramsey County, have crafted a resolution and have asked them to consider passing a similar resolution. Mayor Gehrz said that under this shift, the suburbs will pick up a good share of the cost for Saint Paul. She doesn't know if will be successful to convince the Ramsey County Board but feels a responsibility to warn the residents and taxpayers. The two commissioners who voted against this were Janice Rettman and Jan Wiesner, who tried to get flexibility in the funding formula. . Council member Lindstrom read the resolution aloud for the benefit of the viewing audience. Council member Lamb said he believes we are all in this together. We are very dependent upon the health of Saint Paul, their backup and specialized services, but he has a real problem with the process here. There was no real notification. The suburbs will bear the biggest share of the cost when it is a County tax levy. The municipalities were asked to pass a resolution supporting consolidated dispatch. The only resolutions the County Board will entertain have to be passed by May 17. Most cities don't have the matrix of the costs. The point of the resolution is to ask the County to take another look at the reallocation. On the face of it, it looks as though you have an option and can say you won't be involved. But, even if you aren't involved, your citizens will pay for it. Mayor Gehrz said Falcon Heights kicked up a big fuss. Letters were sent to every mayor, city administrator/manager, the county board and the county manager. The distribution of the costs is the issue. The distribution should be fair. Council member Lamb said that, currently, Saint Paul collects $5,810,238 for dispatch. Under the County's proposal, the cost for Saint Paul will be $4,400,000. Unless Saint Paul does something to rescind or adjust their levy downward to reflect this, Saint Paul residents will pay $9,000,000. Mayor Gehrz asked the viewing audience to contact County Commissioners Janice Rettman and Jan Wiesner and thank them. It is important that they be supported for their decision. 8