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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />DECEMBER 3, 2007 <br />this, the City is taking a "wait and see" approach with the LGA aid and is <br />not fully relying on LGA for levy support. <br />The Director reviewed 2008 General Fund revenue highlights, noting that <br />revenues are up by 12.7%, property taxes are up 7.6%, and changed to the <br />City's tax base and other factors resulted in LGA revenues of $225,168 for <br />an increase of 68% in revenues. <br />The Director reviewed a graph reflecting General Fund revenue trends, <br />noting that revenues have had only slight growth since 1998, averaging <br />4% per year. She also noted that the 2008 12.7% increase in revenues is <br />significant compared to prior years and is attributable to the 2008 LGA <br />received. <br />The Director reviewed 2008 General Fund expense highlights noting that <br />expenses have increased by 6.1%, with Sheriff contract costs up $52,934 <br />or 6.0 %, Street costs up $34,532 or 12.1 %, Fire Department costs up <br />$15,764 or 5.0%, and Fire Marshal costs up $7,322 or 18.2%. The <br />Director noted that the increase in the Sheriff's Contract is attributable to <br />the addition of a relief Deputy, Public Works expense is athibutable to <br />increased oil pricing as well as additional streets to be sealcoated, the Fire <br />Department increase is attributable to their assumption of the cost of new <br />turn-out gear, and Fire Marshal is for additional staffing. <br />The Director reviewed a graph depicting General Fund expenditure trends, <br />noting the average increase over the last ten years is 4.7%. During this <br />period, the city has absorbed some large dollar increases in police and fire <br />expenses. <br />The Director reviewed 2005 per capita spending for all basic services <br />based on the 2005 State Auditor's Summary. She noted that in 2005 Little <br />Canada had the 2nd lowest per capita spending of the Ramsey County <br />cities, at $284 per capita within a range of $278 through $1,187. <br />The Director next reviewed the 2008 Proposed Budget by fund which is as <br />follows: <br />General Fund $2,797,358 <br />Park & Rec/Cable TV Funds 155,140 <br />Sewer & Water Funds 2,356,563 <br />Capital Improvement Funds 4,266,409 <br />Debt Service Funds 856 690 <br />Total Budget $10,432,160 <br />The Director noted that capital improvements can account for dramatic <br />swings in the City's total budget depending on what projects are planned <br />