09-13-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION DRAFT 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES 1 MINUTES 2 3 DATE : August 9, 2021 4 TIME STARTED : 8:20 p.m. 5 TIME ENDED : 11:00 p.m. 6 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland, 7 Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty 8 MEMBERS ABSENT : None 9 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah 10 Lynch; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Director of Public Safety 11 John Swenson; Public Services Director Rick DeGardner 12 13 1. 2022 Draft Budget & Tax Levy – Finance Director Lynch provided a general 14 overview. The first two pages of the budget book provide summary and comparison 15 information to the 2021 budget. As the council makes decisions on the budget, these 16 summaries can change. She noted that with the current numbers, the tax rate would rise 17 from 40.10 to 42.06. Changes were made at the last meeting to the Capital Equipment 18 Replacement Fund (a reduction and a transfer from reserves – total funding of $250,000); 19 the single axle dump truck purchase is shown in the budget but not funded currently. 20 Regarding the fleet, staff is providing some comparison data for the Ford Explorer and 21 the Chevy Tahoe as requested by the council. The proposed budget also moves $295,000 22 into the storm water utility fund with its own budget, assuming passage of the storm 23 water utility fee. She also noted the adjustments proposed at the department level. Ms. 24 Lynch pointed out the Enterprise Funds (water and sewer), including some increases 25 based on proposed rate changes (2.5% increase). Also provided are comparisons to tax 26 rates in other cities of comparable size, etc. The council discussed the impact on cities of 27 Local Government Aid (LGA) and Fiscal Disparities. The valuation numbers from 28 Anoka County should be clear in late August/early September. The council reviewed the 29 personnel changes proposed. In regard to American Rescue Act funds, staff indicated 30 that it would be best to assume that those funds are not available to augment the budget 31 unless staff has specified so. 32 33 Questions from the council: 34 35 - City marketing – the mayor asked if that item is related to the duties of the new 36 communications position; Administrator Cotton explained the line item represents 37 a contribution to the Lino Lakes Ambassador’s program, employee appreciation 38 and recognition, plaques and awards, and food for special meeting situations; 39 - Subscriptions – Councilmember Cavegn asked about the jump in the budget and 40 Ms. Cotton explained that has to do with her assuming the position of 41 Administrator and her involvement in more organizations as well as presuming 42 the communications person will want to be involved in some organizations; 43