11-28-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 28, 2012 The Administrator reported that based on recent information supplied by Ramsey County, the ranges of preliminary gross levy increases are a reduction of 15.4% for Spring Lake Park to an increase of 34.9% for Gem Lake. The average preliminary gross levy increase for Ramsey County cities is 3.6 %. The Administrator also indicated that with Little Canada proposed levy increase, the City's tax rate will increase to 30.855 %, an increase of 9.95% from 2012 to 2013. The average rate increase for Ramsey County cities is 9.25 %. Even with Little Canada's small levy increase, the higher tax rate increase is due to the continued decline in tax base resulting from value adjustments. The City's tax base declined 5.93% in 2012. The Administrator noted that depending on value adjustments to individual properties, tax impacts will vary dramatically. The Administrator reported that one opportunity that City staff will be reviewing relates to excess TIF dollars, indicating that the St. Jude project may generate approximately $35,000 in excess TIF dollars. Blesener noted that this amount is approximately 1% of the City's levy. Keis asked if these would be on -going dollars. The Administrator indicated that they could be, but indicated that the issue needs additional examination. Ile pointed out that when the TIF District is closed, the dollars would go away. The Administrator recommended that City staff study this issue during 2013 and come back with a recommendation fro the 2014 Budget. With regard to 2013 salary scales, the City Administrator noted that most scales are recommended for a 2.24% cost of living adjustment. He noted that while all scales are compared with information on similar positions as outlined in the League of MN Cities Salary Survey, the Public Works Maintenance position has historically had the most consistent comparables. The comparables for the Public Works Maintenance position is the basis of the 2.24% increase recommendations. The Administrator noted that a few position scales are recommended for larger increase given that the scales for these positions have lagged behind comparable positions as evidenced by the LMC Salary Survey. The Administrator asked that the Council contact him with any comments relative to 2013 salary recommendations. The Administrator noted that the 2013 Budget will be considered for adoption at a public hearing to be held on December 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. VETERANS The Administrator noted that at the last meeting, the Council appointed COMMITTEE representatives to the Veterans' Memorial Committee. The action before the Council this evening is to appoint two Council representatives. 12