12-18-2019 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 18, 2019 PUBLIC HEARING - Keis opened the public hearing to consider adoption of the City's 2020 ADOPTION OF 2020 Budget. BUDGET & FINAL LEVY The City Administrator stated that the Council set the preliminary levy at 4.99% in September, but the Council asked staff to work on reducing the levy if possible, which staff has now done. The City Administrator reviewed initiatives for 2020 that are based on the Strategic Plan the Council adopted this year. He gave a presentation and reviewed the taxing jurisdictions that make up property taxes in Little Canada. These include the City, School Districts (623 and 624), Ramsey County, and Special Taxing Jurisdictions, which include the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Mosquito Control Regional Rail Authority, and Ramsey/Washington Metro Watershed District. He noted that the City of Little Canada receives about 22% of each property tax dollar. The Finance Director reported that the levy has been reduced from the preliminary rate of 4.99% and is now proposed to be 4.193%. She then reviewed the key budget objectives focused on by the City Council and staff in setting the City's budget. She explained that 75% of the City's General Fund revenues come from property taxes. She reported that the City's 2020 tax rate will decrease from 26.131 % to 25.676 %. She stated that Little Canada's 2020 Tax Rate will be the sixth lowest out of 18 municipal jurisdictions in Ramsey County. A resident questioned why his property taxes went up 26%, but stated that it sounds like he will need to contact the county assessor's office since his taxes are increasing that much because his property value went up a lot. The Finance Director stated that she would be happy to help any residents understand their tax statement. There were no other comments from the general public. Upon motion by Montour, seconded by Keis, the public hearing was closed. Montour introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTIONNO. 2019-12-138 —ADOPTING THE 2020 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,982,800 The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Fischer. Ayes (4). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted.