10-13-1992 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council Page Fourtee Regular MeetingOctober 13, 19 _ Councilmember Blanchard stated that the franchise fee is a stable resource for the City and is a revenue the City can depend on for future years. The City could buy down property taxes. Councilmember Rickaby stated that what she was hearing from the rest of the Council is that the City Council would do a franchise rate that would bring in $155, 000 which would be the same as 8.3 percent maximum levy that can be done. The City could still receive cuts in the middle of the year whether or not there was a franchise fee or property tax increase. The cuts are LGA cuts and they are very different than property taxes. Rickaby doesn't support 8.3% increase but with some cuts being reinstated from the results of the survey, the City then couldtake extra money and put it in the fund balance. Rickaby further stated if the City puts the increase on the property tax instead of the franchise fee the City could get more fiscal disparity relief. If the City has higher taxes, it receives more fiscal disparity relief for the next year. Don Brager, Finance Director, explained the situation regarding fiscal disparities. Last year Mayor Linke stated that Park and Recreation programs had to be cut. These cuts were reinstated because people were upset and the many phone calls had been received regarding these cuts. L. W. Stigney, 7141 Eastwood., stated that there should be a cap on what the City is spending every year.. Mayor Linke stated that the Council has made a conscientious effort to maintain services. There are no levy limits and the City could raise the taxes as high as it would want to. The firing o ice officer—is—the—only—service—that—is—be ng added. Don Brager, Finance Director, stated that the Council is limited to the amount that could be raised because the amount was already submitted and accepted. Council could lower but not raise taxes. • Councilmember Rickaby stated that Mayor Linke made comments regarding Park and Recreation cuts in that he received phone calls regarding those cuts. The survey taken supported cuts in Parks Maintenance. The City has reinstated those cuts. -- - - The phone calls received may have been over former cuts in children's programs. The survey indicated discontinuing dragging and the reduction411 in ice rinks. Items that the survey indicated the residents wanted back were put back in. Steve Lauterbach stated that the current franchise agreement does not expire for eight years. When would the new franchise