09-14-2022 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 14th day of September, 2022 in the Conference Room of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor John Keis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Keis, Council Members McGraw, Fischer, Torkelson and Miller. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Public Works Director Bill Dircks, Finance Director Sam Magureanu, Parks & Rec/Community Services Director Bryce Shearen, Community Development Director Corrin Wendell and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. 2023 BUDGET DISCUSSION The Finance Director stated that he made one change to the budget since the last Workshop. He explained that he lowered the budget safe margin from 97.5% to 98.5% and that reduces the levy percent by approximately 1.0%. The Finance Director stated that he has received more accurate property valuations from the Ramsey County Assessor's Office and noted the tax rate for Little Canada is increasing more in 2023 than has been seen over the last several years. He reviewed two options for cost of living increases and other key impacts to the property tax levy for 2023, including increased costs for the police and fire contracts, and city fuel and utility expenses. The Public Works Director reviewed the planned street improvement projects for 2023. The Parks & Rec/Community Services Director explained that the biggest project planned is the Pioneer Park improvements, and reviewed the grant and donations that have been received for this project. He noted that he would like to order some of the costlier items in order to get this year's pricing. The Finance Director reviewed all of the capital funds. Torkelson stated that maybe some General Fund dollars should be directed to capital funds. Fischer stated that maybe the safe margin should be kept at 97.5% this year. The Finance Director reviewed options to reduce the 2023 levy, how the budget is meeting strategic plan initiatives, and the major changes and new initiatives. He stated that the Council must adopt the preliminary levy no later than September 30 each year. This levy amount can be lowered, but not increased, when the final levy is adopted in December. Fischer stated he would rather keep the higher safe margin or designate a new line item that directs General Fund dollars to the capital fund. There was Council consensus to keep the safe margin at 97.5% and adopt the preliminary levy at 12.85%.