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  <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The primary impacts for the proposed levy increase of 10.79 can be attributed primarily to contracted <br />police services with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO), personnel services, and planning for <br />a new public gathering space (Community Building) as noted below: <br /> <br />Police Services - The City of Falcon Heights will be withdrawing from the RCSO contract at the end of <br />2023, which creates an additional strain on the remaining six contract cities. The City of Little Canada’s <br />share of the RCSO contract will increase from 15.5% in 2023 to 17.68% in 2024. The City of Little <br />Canada’s portion of the contract is increasing a net of 12.84% or $219,133.47 when considering the net <br />contract (expenditures less revenues). This 12.84% increase for contracted police services is the largest <br />year-over-year increase over the last several years. Ramsey County Sheriff’s office and participating <br />cities are still exploring options for lowering cost. A final contract is expected to be approved prior to <br />City’s final budget adoption, currently proposed for November 29th. <br /> <br />Personnel Services - The net increase for all other staffing needs in the City of Little Canada will have <br />a $268,630 impact on the levy. This includes: <br /> $106,000 for two new positions that were hired in 2023 but not included in this year’s budget. <br />For example, 70% of the Community Relations Manager position is allocated to the General <br />Fund which creates a budgetary impact of $89,471 for 2024. In addition, 25% of the Public <br />Works Apprentice position is funded through the General Fund which creates a budgetary impact <br />of $16,700. <br /> $36,430 were allocated toward additional staffing. During 2023 the City undergone a GAP <br />analysis that recommended adding a 40 or 20 hours/week Customer Service Specialist to provide <br />front counter coverage and perform additional clerical assistance to all departments. A 20-hour <br />position has been included in the proposed budget. The $36,430 represents a 0.86% levy <br />increase. <br /> The remainder increase in Personnel Services includes cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment of 3% <br />and annual step increases for all eligible city employees. <br /> <br />Public Gathering Space Building - A large portion $100,000 is currently allocated toward a new public <br />gathering space. A new public gathering space for the residents of Little Canada has been a topic that <br />current and previous City Council have explored for several years. The 2022 Strategic Plan includes a <br />strategic goal of acquiring the property at 2884 Centerville Road as a potential location for this facility, <br />and staff has included $2.5 million as the estimated construction cost for a new community building in <br />Fund 2023 Certified Levy 2024 Levy $ Change % Change <br />General  Fund $3,883,524 $4,237,199 $353,675 9.11% <br />General  Capital $0 100,000               100,000  <br />Fire Equipment 160,000 160,000                           ‐   0.00% <br />Infrastructure  Fund 160,000 160,000                           ‐   0.00% <br />Total $4,203,524 $4,657,199 $453,675 10.79% <br />2024 Preliminary Gross Levy Compared with 2023