Agenda Packets - 2003/09/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council September 8, 2003 Regular Meeting Page 15 Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 1 2 H. Resolution No. 6096, Authorizing a Special Election to Consider an 3 Additional Property Tax Levy. 4 5 City Administrator Ulrich indicated this matter is before Council to determine whether to 6 authorize a special election to consider an additional property tax levy for $143,317 for an 7 additional levy to support two police officers. 8 9 City Administrator Ulrich read the question to be on the ballot concerning the additional property 10 tax levy for two officers. He then pointed out that this is a maximum if approved by the voters 11 but Council can go less than that but no more than that if the voters approve it. 12 13 City Administrator Ulrich indicated this matter is time sensitive because he needs to notify 14 Ramsey County tomorrow so that preparation of the ballots can begin. He then noted that the 15 City and the School District would be sharing the costs of the special election. 16 17 Council Member Stigney indicated he has a problem with the question as it establishes this tax 18 levy and it looks like it is here forever nothing makes it stop unless it is repealed by the voters. 19 20 City Administrator Ulrich indicated that it would be part of the base levy and established that 21 way until Council took action to eliminate it. 22 23 Council Member Stigney asked what the actual costs were for the election. 24 25 Finance Director Hansen estimated the costs to be $12,000 to $14,000 but those costs will be 26 shared with the School District who has more of the ballot space. 27 28 Council Member Stigney commented that he thinks putting in a forever tax levy until repealed is 29 a problem. He then said if this is something that the City really needs Council should work to get 30 the money into the general fund and not ask for a special levy to do it. He then said that asked 31 where the money that comes from putting in projects like Walgreen’s and the theatre project goes 32 and what the City would gain by closing out TIF parcels. He also commented that the amount 33 going into street maintenance should be added to the general fund and used to fund the officers 34 and the City can bond for street repair. 35 36 Council Member Gunn indicated this is not the first year that the franchise fee has been put into 37 the street fund. 38 39 Council Member Stigney indicated he did not say it was but said if the money is needed 40 elsewhere it should be put in the general fund and the City can bond for streets. 41 42 Council Member Marty indicated that the City started collecting funds because there was nothing 43 in the street fund and the revenue from the franchise fee can be used to improve infrastructure 44 that is important to businesses and residents. 45