12-08-2014 Council Meeting Minutes

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COUNCIL MINUTES December 8, 2014 APPROVED 91 92 Mayor Reinert opened the public hearing. 93 94 Mike Stanecki, 6977 Glenview Lane, addressed the council. He questions his tax bill because there is 95 a 27% hike in his tax assessment. He heard staff report that the average valuation increase in the city is 96 12%. The city increase is far greater than the other levies on his tax statement. Finance Director Rolek 97 will contact Mr. Stanecki to discuss his concerns; Mayor Reinert asked that the council be informed of 98 the result of that conversation. 99 100 Kelly Gunderson, 135 Ulmer Drive, asked some questions. She noted a seventeen percent increase in 101 the Public Safety budget and asked for more detail. Mr. Rolek responded that the increase does include 102 some start-up costs for the new fire department that are one-time and also some staff costs that could be 103 partially on-going. He noted that there should be some clear future offset of those costs, however, 104 since the city's contribution to the Centennial Fire District ends in 2015. Ms. Gunderson asked about 105 capital costs related to the new fire department and also where does the cost of the new station show up 106 in the budget? Mr. Rolek replied that the cost of the new building isn't included in this budget; the 107 capital start up costs would be things like computers, equipment, etc. The cost of the station will be 108 bonded and paid for over time. Ms. Gunderson noted that the city's levy is going up at a percentage 109 much higher than the county increase of 2%. Mayor Reinert noted that the increase is lower than 110 indicated by the preliminary levy notification because the council reduced that. Ms. Gunderson noted 111 the use of reserve funds in the budget and the Mayor explained that the council looked carefully at the 112 city's reserve situation at a public meeting and made a responsible decision about their use. 113 114 The public hearing was closed at 7:36 p.m. 115 116 Council Member Kusterman noted that previously, his view of government was from the outside and, 117 now, as a city council member he sees how important it is to know the facts and understand just what is 118 being approved. 119 120 The council then acted on the following: 121 122 i) Consider Resolution No. 14-147, Adopting the Final 2014 Tax Levy Collectible in 2015 123 124 Council Member Roeser moved to approve Resolution No. 14-147, as presented. Council Member 125 Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. 126 127 ii) Consider Resolution No. 14-148, Adopting the Final 2015 General Operating 128 Budget 129 130 Council Member Roeser moved to approve Resolution No. 14-148, as presented. Council Member 131 Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. 132 133 iii) Consider Resolution No. 14-149, Adopting the 2015 Water and Sewer Operating 134 Budget 135 3