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