08-30-94 Council Workshop Minutes

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taxed based on the value of the home. Pedersen reported that the County Assessor's Office establishes property values, and the City has no control over that issue. The City Administrator reported that apartments are taxed at a rate which is higher than single-family homes. The Administrator reported that the property tax system is a very complicated one, and most people do not understand how it works. Those present discussed whether the survey respondents should be informed up-front that the City receives 14% of the tax dollar, or if this information should be presented after the respondent has commented on city services. Morris recommended that the respondent give their reaction to the survey question prior to the 14% information being presented. Morelan felt that a question should be asked on what type of retail business the respondent frequents most outside of the City, and whether the respondent would like to have that business located in Little Canada. LaValle stated that he did not understand the need for questions 11 through 14. Pedersen suggested that if residents indicate that there is a need for any particular type of housing, there may be pockets of vacant land in the City that could be developed according to the needs identified. However, it was noted that the City has very little undeveloped property. Scalze suggested that if the City is not prepared to address the answers to a question, that question should not be asked. Carson agreed, pointing out that if the survey shows that the City has too many apartments, the Council would not be able to remove those apartments. The City Administrator suggested that questions 11 through 14 be left in for now pending further discussion at a future workshop. Morris pointed out that questions 25 through 38 deal with City service evaluations. The Administrator pointed out that "brush pick-up" should be eliminated from question 27, since there is 5