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