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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 18, 2013 <br />service would not be levy supported. The Administrator noted that the <br />City has very little debt, and the last levy supported bond issue sold was <br />paid off in the early 2000's. <br />The Administrator pointed out the key budget objectives focused on by the <br />City Council and staff in setting the City's budget. These are: <br />Balance the General Fund; <br />Eliminate General Fund reliance on Local Government Aid; <br />Maintain services and programs; <br />Fund infrastructure repairs /replacement; <br />Maintain facilities and equipment; <br />Meet debt obligations; <br />Maintain AA Bond rating; <br />Preserve parks and open spaces; <br />Position the City to address future challenges and opportunities; <br />Stabilize the tax rate. <br />The Administrator reported the tax rate will increase slightly from <br />30.855% to 31.299% a .97% increase. Little Canada's 2014 Tax Rate will <br />be the 8'1' lowest out of 19 municipal jurisdictions in Ramsey County. The <br />Administrator noted that for 2013, Little Canada was 7`1' lowest, but the <br />City of Lauderdale adopted a levy that drops them below Little Canada. <br />The Administrator compared the 2013 tax levy with proposed 2014, <br />noting the proposed 3% increase. The Administrator reported that 2014 <br />expenses are proposed to increase by 5.48 %. Expenses increases <br />primarily rate to election expenses for 2014, sealcoating, rain water garden <br />maintenance program in conjunction with the Watershed, increased Fire <br />Department costs, and a just under 15% increase in the cost of health <br />insurance. <br />The Administrator then reviewed a tax base and rate comparison, which <br />includes Fiscal Disparities. Ile explained that Fiscal Disparities is a <br />metro -wide revenue sharing pool based on new commercial /industrial <br />construction. The Administrator indicated that Little Canada contributes <br />more to the pool than it receives back. However, the City's Fiscal <br />Disparities distribution for 2014 is increasing by $38,248. <br />The Administrator next reported on 2014 residential property tax changes, <br />noting that 86.5% of properties will see a decrease to 0% increase in the <br />City portion of their property taxes. 6.1% will see a .1% to 10% increase, <br />and 7.4% will see an increase of 10.1% or more. <br />Next the Administrator explained the allocation of City taxes on a median <br />valued home in Little Canada ($204,600). The Administrator noted that <br />11 <br />