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Mounds View City Council Page ix <br /> Regular Meeting September 13 , 3 <br /> utility tax on the property taxes is that it gives accountability to the <br /> residents. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that this utility also would be accountable to the <br /> residents. There are public hearings throughout the entire budget process. <br /> This utility would be identical to the sewer and water utilities and would <br /> be approved at the same time as the budget. <br /> Mr. Stigney stated that the five Councilpersons make the decisions on these <br /> items, ,whether a public hearing is held or not. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that the five Councilpersons are elected by the City as a <br /> whole and make the decisions for the best interest of the community as a <br /> whole. <br /> Tim Cruikshank, Assistant to the City Administrator, stated that this item <br /> had been continued from the August 23 , 1993 meeting to give the new <br /> Councilmember time to review the ordinance. This ordinance had been given a <br /> sunset date to look at the rates and reconstruct the utility as a whole. <br /> Any action that the Council takes will only continue or discontinue the <br /> utility. The Council can either waive the reading and approve the <br /> introduction or move to deny the approval of the introduction of the <br /> 111 <br /> ordinance. <br /> Councilmember Trude stated that it was helpful to have more time to study <br /> the utility. Councilmember Trude stated that while she was campaigning <br /> residents expressed concern because of the darkness and the rate of <br /> vandalism and crime. These persons were basically in the southwest portion <br /> of the City. Trude stated that there is a need for more streetlights, <br /> however, stated that she had a problem with the rate of the utility. Ms. <br /> Trude suggested that the Council should follow the Charter and set just and <br /> reasonable rates. This utility budget has $25, 000 to date and there will be <br /> a $55 , 000 surplus by the end of the year. Ms. Trude stated that she would <br /> like to see the rate cut in half. <br /> - <br /> Councilmember Blanchard stated that this ordinance should be sunsetted. <br /> $25, 000 was collected this year and. by the end of this year there will be a <br /> total of $50, 000. Blanchard stated that at the time that this ordinance <br /> went into effect it was assumed that it would be used for streetlights. The <br /> City only received six requests for streetlights. Blanchard stated that <br /> with the electric and gas franchise fee, the City is taxing the people <br /> twice. Blanchard stated that it is not ethical. Blanchard suggested that <br /> perhaps one month of the franchise fee could be dedicated to the streetlight <br /> fund if funds are needed for streetlights. <br /> Mayor Linke asked Councilmember Blanchard if what she was saying was to <br /> sunset the utility fee and place the amount to be raised on the taxes. • <br /> Mayor Linke stated that the need is $50, 000 . <br />