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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
COUNCIL MINUTES
December 8, 2003
Mayor Sue Gehrz convened the Truth in Taxation Hearing at 7:00 PM.
PRESENT: Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb, Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot.
Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington, Finance Director Roland Olson and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy
COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Truth in Taxation Hearing
Mayor Gehrz said that the subject of this evening’s meeting was the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing and she outlined the protocol that would be followed. The viewing audience and those
in attendance will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about the proposed 2004 levy and budget this evening, but City Council action on the proposed 2004 levy and budget
will
take place at the Council meeting on December 10, 2003. She said that an oral presentation
will be made by Administrator Worthington, with assistance from Finance Director
Roland Olson.
Administrator Worthington explained that each year, cities over 5,000 in population are required
by the State Legislature to hold Truth in Taxation Hearings to explain their proposed budget
and levy for the following year and the tax notices that are mailed in mid-fall each year by the County. Each taxing authority (County, City, School District) is required to hold these
hearings.
Administrator Worthington utilized the LCD and overhead projectors to present information about the 0% increase in Falcon Heights’ levy for 2004 and the proposed budget
of $1,429,919 for 2004.
The Public Hearing was opened to the audience for commentary.
Ms. Janet Massey, 1743 Maple Court, said that she came to the meeting this evening because she is interested in the process and what the City Council does.
Mayor Gehrz thanked Ms. Massey for coming this evening. She said she knows that people watch the Council meetings on television and it is nice when there is someone live in the audience.
There was no further commentary from the audience and the Public Hearing was closed.
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2-
December 8, 2003
Truth in Taxation Hearing (continued)
Council member Lamb asked if fiscal disparities are going up or down in 2004. Administrator Worthington said that it will be up about $3,000 in 2004. Council member Lamb said the City
is levying the same amount of money for 2004 as it did for 2003. He asked if the City has a breakdown of the residential parcels. Administrator Worthington said that this year’s statement
from the County did not break down the information as thoroughly as in the past. She gave a brief, oral review of the stratified percentage change and change in total property tax from
2003 to proposed 2004 on residential properties in Falcon Heights. Council member Lamb said that the point he is trying to get to is that the City is holding its dollar amount constant.
Some people are seeing City property tax increases on their proposed property tax statements and he would like to know why.
Finance Director Olson said that on the homestead credit, $304 is the maximum credit. Properties valued at $76,000 or less are the only ones getting the homestead credit. The Legislature
adopted a sliding scale. Residents are losing some of their homestead credit. There were some class rate changes for commercial, industrial, and apartment buildings.
Mayor Gehrz said the Council will be voting on the levy on budget at the regular Council meeting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 10, 2003.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Shea Kodluboy
Deputy Clerk