11/30/1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING NOVEMBER 30, 1998 • 4. School District Impact on Taxes. Mr. Dunn noted that the school districts take more than 50% of each tax dollar. Everyone needs to be actively working with the school districts to reduce their level of need. Mr. Dunn suggested that Council Members Bergeson and Neal be appointed Executives of Interest for this matter. • Mr. Dunn said that he had difficulty analyzing the 1999 budget. He noted that 1997 data was used for comparison and felt that data was too old. He suggested using the actual figures through November, 1998. 5. Remember Basics of Mathematics. Mr. Dunn suggested that a larger tax base would lessen the impact of the tax need on everyone in Lino Lakes. He asked the Council to look real carefully at speeding up growth in the City. He also asked Council to "mitigate" spending. Mary Ann McDougal, 6116 Baldwin Lake Drive said that the information accompanying the notice of this meeting was not clear. She noted that the taxes she will pay the City in 1999 has risen 38%. Mr. Tesch explained that the city portion of the taxes will go up 5.7%. Ms. McDougal explained that according to her statement, her portion of City taxes will go up 38%. Mr. Sulander explained that part of her increase is due to the increase in the value of her property. He also noted that a large portion of her increase is due to the City's bonded debt which will require a large payment in 1999. Ms. McDougal asked if every tax payer in Lino Lakes is receiving a 38% increase in their taxes. Mr. Sulander said no and explained that lower value property owners will see less of an increase than the higher value property owners. Ms. McDougal said that she feels that the City is growing to much and to fast. She felt that the more people who move here the more facilities will be required to support them. She also said that a 5% increase in the City's tax capacity rate is too much. Mr. Tesch told Ms. McDougal that if she had further questions she should speak to Mr. Sulander. Ms. McDougal said that this is typical of government, "they pick your pocket and you do not know why". Tom Farm, 6209 Centerville Road asked when will revenue from the Town Center "show up". It was explained that the Centennial School District will make their first payment in 1999. Mayor Sullivan asked Mr. Shannon when he would expect to see tax benefits from new commercial and industrial projects. Mr. Shannon explained that this depends on how rapid commercial development comes to the Town Center. Typically, it takes about five (5) years before increased tax revenues are received. Something constructed in 1999 will be on the tax rolls in 2000. The first tax receipt from that construction will be received in 2001. PAGE 3