12-21-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 21, 2016 PUBLIC Keis opened the public hearing to consider adoption of the City's 2017 HEARING - Budget. ADOPTION OF 2017 BUDGET Finance Director Provos gave a presentation and reviewed the taxing jurisdictions that make up property taxes in Little Canada. These include the City, School District (623 or 624), Ramsey County, and Special Taxing Jurisdictions, which include the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Mosquito Control Regional Rail Authority, and Ramsey/Washington Metro Watershed District. The Finance Director then reviewed the key budget objectives focused on by the City Council and staff in setting the City's budget. These are: Balance the General Fund; Eliminate General Fund reliance on Local Government Aid; Maintain services and programs; Fund infrastructure repairs/replacement; Maintain facilities and equipment; Meet debt obligations; Maintain AA+ Bond rating; Preserve parks and open spaces; Position the City to address future challenges and opportunities; Stabilize the tax rate. The Finance Director explained that the majority of budgeted funds, 31 %, are for general funds and 74% of the City's revenues come from property taxes. She reported that the City's 2017 tax rate will decrease from 30.305% to 28.893, a 1.412% decrease. Little Canada's 2017 Tax Rate will continue to be the 8th lowest out of 19 municipal jurisdictions in Ramsey County. The Finance Director explained the 2017 proposed tax levy is 2.88%. She reported that when the 2017 Budget process was started, a 3.5% gross levy increase was proposed for the Preliminary Levy, and the City Council has worked to lower that increase to 2.88% being considered this evening. There was no one from the general public present wishing to comment on this matter. Upon motion by Montour, seconded by Fischer, the public hearing was closed. 2