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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA <br />AUGUST 9, 2023 <br />Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, <br />Minnesota was convened on the 9th day of August, 2023 in the Council Chambers of the City <br />Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. <br />Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the <br />City Council were present at roll call: <br />CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Fischer, Council Members T. Miller, Gutierrez, Kwapick and D. <br />Miller. Absent: None. <br />ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Parks & Rec/Community Services <br />Director Bryce Shearen, Finance Director Sam Magureanu, Community Relations Manager <br />Laura Linehan and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. <br />DISCUSS PRELIMINARY 2024 BUDGET <br />The City Administrator explained that what is being discussed tonight is the operating budget <br />which affects the levy amount. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a separate budget that <br />does not affect the levy. He stated this is the first discussion of the 2024 budget with the Council <br />and the preliminary levy must be adopted and certified to Ramsey County no later than <br />September 30, 2023. Fischer explained that the final levy adopted in December cannot exceed <br />the adopted preliminary levy, but it could be less. The City Administrator pointed out that public <br />safety costs for police and fire services make up 53.4% of the city's budget. <br />The Finance Director reviewed the current estimated city tax capacity for 2024 which is an <br />increase of almost 13% from 2023. He noted this amount could change slightly before the final <br />budget it adopted. He explained that tax capacity (or tax base) values increase because of <br />building improvements, increased assessed property values and adding new homes and <br />commercial buildings. He reviewed the changes to revenues and expenditures proposed, and <br />noted there will be a large increase in 2024 for the amount of Local Government Aid (LGA) the <br />city receive. He stated the LGA funds have been split between the General Fund and the CIP <br />Fund 400 so Council can make the final determination on the percentages allocated to each fund. <br />He reviewed the items that will increase the budget and ways to reduce the levy. There was <br />Council consensus to further discuss the budget before the preliminary levy is adopted. <br />There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. <br />Thomas Fischer, Mayor <br />Att <br />a <br />Christopher Heineman, City Administrator <br />