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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JUNE 10, 1996 <br />through attrition. The agreement shifts $1 million in <br />costs to the County, therefore, shifts this cost away <br />from St. Paul property owners and to suburban property <br />owners. This translates to approximately $10 in <br />additional taxes on a$115,000 suburban home and a$12 <br />decrease on the same valued house in St. Paul. <br />Thomas reported that Dave Thune is asking for the <br />creation of a new advisory committee to study the <br />merger. Thomas indicated she supported a new committee <br />as long as suburban representatives are members. <br />Thomas stated that her concern is elected officials <br />have not been involved in the process, and the result <br />is a product that does not allow for maneuvering at <br />all. Thomas stated that she supported deferring action <br />on the merger, and indicated she needs to hear some <br />input from Ramsey County elected officials. <br />Fahey felt the facts made it obvious that merger was a <br />bad decision since it would cost suburban property <br />owners more money. The merger results in a shift in <br />taxes from St. Paul property owners to suburban <br />property owners. <br />Thomas reported that she has met with the Roseville <br />City Council on this issue, sent a letter to Hal <br />Norgard asking how the issue had gotten so far without <br />being accessible to the County Board, St. Paul, or <br />other cities. Maplewood has stated their opposition to <br />the merger, and Thomas reported that she met with <br />Shoreview's City Manager who indicated Shoreview's <br />opposition to the current draft. <br />Fahey stated that it disturbs him the Board has not had <br />an opportunity to debate the merger. Fahey felt the <br />bottom line of the merger has not been clearly <br />justified. <br />Scalze indicated it was her understanding the intent <br />was to investigate a potential merger, looking to the <br />bottom line. Scalze did not support the merger if it <br />involved a shifting of tax burden from St. Paul to <br />Ramsey County property owners. Scalze felt a merger of <br />this size should result in cost savings. <br />Pedersen asked why the County Manager favored the <br />merger. <br />Thomas indicated she intended to discuss this with the <br />County Manager. Thomas pointed out the merger is <br />purely staff driven on both sides. Thomas indicated <br />8 <br />