12-01-08 Council-TNT Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 1, 2008 The City is also proposing a special levy in 2009 to cover the cost of an additional Sheriff's Department Deputy. The Director reviewed a graph reflecting General Fund revenue trends, noting that revenues have had only modest growth from 1999 to 2006, averaging 3.4% per year. She also noted that the 2007-2009 increase in revenues is significantly attributable to LGA received in recent years along with the funding of Market Value Homestead Credit being restored in 2007. Property taxes for 2009 are less than 2008 and correspondingly General Fund Revenue is less in 2009 than in 2008. The Director reviewed 2008 General Fund expense highlights noting that expenses have increased by 8.1%, with Sheriff contract costs up $174,228 ($107,000 of which is the cost of the additional Deputy) or 18.7 %, Energy & Fuel costs are up $34,532 or 12.1%, Fire Marshal costs up $23,508 or 49.0% due to the Fire Marshal becoming afull-time employee, and Sealcoating & Sweeping costs are up $21,268 or 19.9% due to oil prices. Should the City purchase a sheet sweeper in 2009, the cost of contracted sweeping may be reduced. The Director reviewed a graph depicting General Fund expenditure trends, noting the average increase over the last ten years is 4.3%. During this period, the City has absorbed some large dollar increases in public safety area. The Director reviewed 2006 per capita spending for all basic services based on the 2006 State Auditor's Summary. She noted that in 2006 Little Canada had the 4th lowest per capita spending of the Ramsey County cities, at $327 per capita within a range of $281 through $1,631. The Director next reviewed the 2009 Proposed Budget by fund which is as follows: General Fund $3,015,291 Special Revenue Funds 568,507 Sewer & Water Funds 2,624,158 CapitallmprovementFunds 4,788,186 Debt Service Funds 968,519 Total Budget $11,964,661 The Director noted that capital improvements can account for dramatic swings in the City's total budget depending on what projects are planned for the coming year. Capital improvement budgeted spending for 2009 is approximately $528,000 greater than the 2008 Budget along with the recycling and trash services costs being included in the Budget for the first time which grew the budget by another $412,000 The costs associated