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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />NOVEMBER 29, 2023 <br />2024 wage schedule. He provided details on the annual budget process, the budget calendar, as well as <br />the purpose and objective of the operating budget. He highlighted strategic priorities that are <br />incorporated into the budget. He explained how property taxes collected are split between the different <br />entities and how the property tax dollars collected by the City are allocated between departments with <br />public safety at 53 percent. He stated that the preliminary levy was set at 9.79 percent and the proposal <br />would be to decrease that to 8.74 percent. He also provided comparisons to other communities in the <br />County. <br />The Finance Director stated that the comparison uses the preliminary adoptions certified by cities in <br />September. He provided information on the estimated City property tax levy, estimated tax rate, and <br />estimated property tax impact on residents and commercial/industrial. He reviewed key impacts for <br />the property tax levy and provided information on general fund revenues and expenditures. He <br />reviewed some potential things that could reduce the levy. He provided details property tax refunds <br />available through the homestead credit refund and homestead special refund. He reviewed the next <br />steps before the Council tonight. <br />Mayor Fischer opened the public hearing for comments from the general public. <br />Roger Kiemele, 2620 Lakeshore Avenue, commented that he and his wife own an 1,800 square foot <br />home and are retired. He asked the Council to consider the retired community in the future, as they <br />have seen over $2,000 in City tax increases over the past two years. He stated that for those on a fixed <br />income it is becoming difficult to stay in your home. He realized that City water and sewer are <br />important services and just asked that the Council take into account its senior population. <br />Shawn Vang, 2930 Paine Avenue, commented that his family moved to the community four years ago <br />when the property tax for his home was $2,700. He stated that since that time it has jumped to $5,140 <br />and is proposed to go to $5,684. He recognized that there are projects and services that need to be <br />funded, but noted that his property taxes have almost doubled in the last four years. <br />There were no further comments from the public. Upon motion by Mayor Fischer, seconded by <br />Kwapick, the public hearing was closed. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Motion adopted. <br />Mayor Fischer commented that $2,700 to $5,600 includes the Ramsey County taxes, noting that the <br />City portion is only about 20 percent. The Finance Director stated that the City has actually decreased <br />its tax rate in recent years, while the main increases have come from the County and School District. <br />T. Miller acknowledged that Ramsey County is increasing exponentially. The Finance Director <br />commented that for a home valued at $376,000, the increase for the City would be about $30.33. <br />Mayor Fischer noted the series of options provided that could lower the budget and levy and asked for <br />input from the Council. <br />D. Miller recognized that a community building is in their future and suggested making a reduction to <br />that item, which would decrease the levy by one percent. He suggested splitting the proposed action <br />for that item between 2024 and 2025. <br />5 <br />