11-09-05 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 9, 2005 amount would be decreased and the Infrastructure Fund levy amount increased proportionately; Clean-up day program modification Co an every-other year basis with modifications in fee amounts so that the first two electronic items, Cires, etc. are free with an appropriate charge thereafter. Appliance pick-up continued on an annual basis. Net impact would be a $2,500 reduction in expenses. The Director pointed out that holding aclean-up day in the odd year and the fact that elections occur in the even year will help to even out the budget by alternating these two expenses. Realignment of staff duties to accomplish the housing inspector program in-house. Impact to the General Fund is a $25,000 reduction in expenses. The City Administrator indicated that he had been exploring options with the City of Roseville to share a position through the Housing Resource Center. The Center did not want to take this on, however. Therefore, the proposal is to handle this function in-house. Other miscellaneous expense adjustments for an impacC of $2,987 and revenue adjustments for an impact of $578. The Finance Director noted that The resulCS of implementing the changes discussed would decrease the gross levy by $30,305 fora 2.32% gross levy increase over the 2005 Budget and a 4.32% net levy increase. The City's tax late would be 21.332% in 2006 compared to 23.682% in 2005, a decrease of 9.92%. The Director noted that preliminary information from the County indicates that the City's tax ranking will be one spot lower than 2005 based on the preliminary levies of other Ramsey County cities. The County also reports that the average levy increase fa• all Ramsey County cities is 4.91% with 6 of 19 cities being less than 4%. The Council discussed the recommendation for increased liquor license fees in detail, noting thaC these fees were last increased in 2004. Tt was also noted that the Council's policy has been to phase-in increases over a two year period. The City Administrator noted that in considering liquor license fee increases, the City has reviewed liquor license fees being charged by surrounding cities. This is true for other City license fees as well. Additional rationale considered for increasing liquor license fees is the theory that liquor establishments generate more police calls than other businesses.