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Charter Commission July 8, 2010 Page 5 80 stated that the commissionbrought up thispossi le amendment for discussion at previous 181 182 183 Council member Rafferty distributed a recent Letter to the Editor written by Commissioner 184 Trehus on the subject of the tax levy. He asked to use the letter as grounds for gaining more 185 information and he has noted that on the back of the handout. He has spoken with staff for 186 additional information on some of the elements — population, city budget ten years back, 187 comparison of dollars and cents over the years, and particular impacts on the budget over those 188 years. It's important to take a historical view of the information with clarity on what the budget 189 has had to support over the period in question. 190 191 Mayor Reinert noted that tax caps can look like a great idea on the surface but can sometimes end 192 up choking a city. For instance a cap could prevent an investment in maintaining roads that pays 193 off in the long run. He identifies himself as a fiscal conservative and understands a tax cap can 194 look like a great idea but the whole picture is important. The electorate can remove officials who 195 are not taxing appropriately. He doesn't see a problem to solve with tax cap right now. 196 197 Commissioner Minar noted that he has seen city employee salary information that indicates there 198 is a problem; the salaries are too high and there are people who would do the jobs for less. 199 Public employees should not be making more than their private sector counterparts. Regarding ,.,?foo road maintenance, it can be funded properly within a reasonably reduced budget. 01 202 Council member O'Donnell suggested that staff could be hired at a lower salary but the full 203 picture includes consideration of what staff brings to the city, i.e. the city's high bond rating 204 saves the city lots of money. Regarding a tax levy cap amendment, he has some concerns about 205 some entities could be more concerned about spending an alloted amount rather than spending on 206 needs. That being said, he does not have a problem seeing it considered if that is a goal of the 207 commission and it is best for the citizens. 208 209 Commissioner Gunderson suggested that the commission's goal isn't necessarily to go out with a 210 referendum on the question. The goal is to make sure there is a tax levy cap when the state 211 statute requirement expires to protect the taxpayers of the city. 212 213 There was discussion between the council and commissioners about the city's obligations, debt 214 service and tax increment financing to the Legacy at Woods Edge area and the possibility of an 215 impact on city taxes. 216 217 A five minute recess is taken and the me ing is reconvened at 8:55pm, 218 219 Chair Dahl thanked the council for input on this item indicated that the commission will keep the 220 matter (tax cap) on their agenda. 221 joint meeting and the Commission is looking to continue that discussion, 22 23 224 5