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Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com - Apple Valley 2008 proposed city budget is presented to City Council Page 1 of 1 MNrISUN 44 community now:papers Print Page I Apple Valley 2008 proposed city budget is presented to City Council BY KASSIE PETERMANN - SUN NEWSPAPERS (Created: Sunday, August 19, 2007 11:14 PM CDT) That will be $21 for two adult movie tickets at the local theater - or you can put that $21 toward the increase you may feel when the city portion of your property taxes comes due in 2008. Based on a median value home of $240,000, Apple Valley homeowners in 2008 would pay $21 more in property taxes to the city, resulting in a 2.5 percent increase over 2007. The Apple Valley City Council was presented this information along with the 2008 proposed city budget at its Aug. 9 meeting. Compared to last year, the proposed budget is up 6.52 percent. City Administrator Tom Lawell outlined the city's fiscal priorities, which include funding basic city services, realistically estimating revenues, retaining adequate reserves, anticipating community growth and program capital improvements, and minimizing reliance on Minnesota state aid to fund operating expenses. In 2008, the city hopes the state will reinstitute the market value homestead credit (MVHC), which would mean about $890,000 to Apple Valley. The 2007 general fund revenues carne to $22.8 million, with property tax revenue equaling 76 percent, transfers in from other funds equaling 11 percent, licenses /permits equaling 5 percent, other revenues equaling 4 percent, park /rec fees equaling 3 percent, and service charges equaling 1 percent. No state aid was included. General fund revenues for 2008 are anticipated to be $24.3 million, with an increase of 6.52 percent. Where the money comes from remains the same, with the same percentages for 2008. Compared to last year's city levy, the 2008 levy is projected to increase 4.8 percent. In 2008, the amount of tax dollars the city is requesting to collect off taxable property is $21 million. In 2007 the city requested $20 million. General fund expenses are projected to increase about 8 percent for personnel services, 5.8 percent for commodities /others, and go down 15 percent for capital outlay expenditures. "The budget is set up to provide the same level of services the citizens of Apple Valley have been receiving the last few years, that they've come to expect, at as much minimal cost as possible," said Financial Director George Ballenger. The council will review the 2008 proposed budget at an informal meeting Aug. 23. Adopting a preliminary budget and levy is scheduled for Sept. 12. A public hearing will be scheduled in November or early December with the final adoption by Dec. 18. (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and /or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth @acnpapers.com.) This site and its contents Copyright © 2007. Sun Newspapers Sall - Main Office: 952- 829 -0797 suninfo © acnpapers.com - y http: / /www.mnsun.com/ articles / 2007/ 08/ 20/ local_news_update /avl6budget.prt 8/21/2007