09-09-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 McGraw introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2015-9-178 —APPROVING THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH JIM SCHWALBACH FOR HIS PURCHASE OF 3100 COUNTRY DRIVE SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Montour. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. Montour pointed out given the construction of the new Public Works facility, the City is selling the site of the former Public Works Garage which will result in getting this property back on the tax rolls. He noted that the proceeds received will help defray the cost of the new facility. 2016 The Finance Director presented the first draft of the preliminary 2016 PRELIMINARY Budget noting that the City has to certify the preliminary levy to Ramsey BUDGET County by September 30, 2015. She noted that while the budget document includes the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service Funds, TIF/HIA funds, Capital Improvement Funds, Water Fund and the Sewer Fund, the primary focus of tonight's review will be funds that require tax levy support, or predominately the General Fund. The Director noted that the proposed 2016 levy reflects a 5.33% gross levy increase and a 6.25% net levy increase. The dollar increase in the gross levy is $153,359 plus a slight decrease in our fiscal disparities distribution of $673. Given the City's 4.14% tax base growth, the projected tax rate is up 2.02% from 2015. The Director indicated that the proposed budget maintains the City's current amount of Local Government Aid (LGA) usage in the General Fund of $146,901 even though the City's LGA allotment is increasing by $8,291 for 2016, bringing the total LGA that the City is expected to receive in 2016 to $386,820. The balance of LGA will go to the General Capital Improvement Fund per the Council's previous direction. The Director noted that City staff is not recommending the levy increase that the preliminary budget reflects. The Director noted that the proposed budget reflects some staffing changes that have been discussed along with some other operational cost increases so that the Council can see the full 5