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Mounds View City Council Page Ei ht <br /> Regular Meeting September 13 , 3 <br /> for 1992 should be between $170, 000 and $190 , 000. Orduno explained that for <br /> a January billing the City won't receive any funds until March. This means <br /> the City only receives 10 months worth of payments in 1993 . <br /> Councilmember Wuori stated that she strongly agreed with Councilmember <br /> Trude's evaluation. There are areas in the City that do need street lights. <br /> Many residents have not gone through the process and let the City know that <br /> they need a street light. At the last Council Work Session the City Council <br /> decided to become more proactive in regards to placement of streetlights. <br /> There is a need for $50, 000 if the City is to be more proactive, but after <br /> that point it may drop down. The rate could be rearranged or changed on a <br /> - yearly basis which would be a big budget item each year. Councilmember Wuori <br /> stated that she was in favor of keeping the utility and becoming more <br /> proactive with regard to street lights and adjusting the rate on a yearly <br /> basis. <br /> Bill Werner, 2765 Sherwood Road, stated that he is in opposition to this <br /> street light utility. Mr. Werner stated that he felt the City conned the <br /> public with the fact that this street light utility would be sunsetted in <br /> two years. Werner stated that now it will continue like all of the others <br /> and will go on forever. Mr. Werner questioned the Council as to the need for <br /> funding for extra lights when there is currently money in the account. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that there is a surplus in the account. There was no <br /> track record for this utility in the beginning and_ the rate is too high. <br /> The rate can now be adjusted. <br /> Bill Werner stated that the rate should drop to zero, however, then the <br /> Council would have to start all over to convince the people. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that if the money isn't raised through a street light <br /> utility, then it would have to go on the taxes. <br /> Bill Werner asked the Council if it is easier to convince the residents to <br /> spend money in an already existing account or tax them for it. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that the City would still have to pay $53 , 000 for <br /> electric to run the lights and maintain them. The City has $50, 000 in that <br /> account but what happens to the next year. Mayor Linke stated that he does <br /> not think one year at a time, but five to 10 years in advance. Mayor Linke <br /> stated that the City would like to be fiscally sound in five years. <br /> Bill Werner stated the funding should go on the taxes. If the clever <br /> financing methods and user fees continue, there will be 40 more special <br /> funds. <br /> Councilmember Trude stated that the utility is a tax and now the decision is <br /> what manner of taxing should be used -- should the City spend down the <br /> account or keep it as a reserve and adjust the rates to match the costs. <br /> Trude stated that the City is conservative and has always tried to have a• <br /> safety cushion so as not to have to borrow funds. <br />