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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 21
<br />they start using some of the Tax Increment Financing funds in these areas. He advised the City
<br />should not spend the money out to the budget of 2025, but direct the money where it needs to go.
<br />He stated it was difficult to watch these things occur, and the information is not forthcoming to
<br />the residents. He stated it was very difficult to obtain information, and he felt this was very
<br />unfair for the citizens.
<br />Planning Commissioner Ordeen Braathen, stated in his personal opinion, the proposed tax
<br />increase percentage was not a problem, whatsoever. He thanked the Council for, in his opinion,
<br />being more responsible for the finances of the City, than has been seen in quite some time. He
<br />added that he believed the Council was doing a good job.
<br />Duane McCarty, previous Mayor of the City of Mounds View stated he has lived in Mounds
<br />View for 35 years and a year after he moved in, the new sanitary sewer and water system was
<br />installed, and they filled in their cesspool, and he thought this was a good deal. He explained
<br />over the 30-year assessment process, he paid $32 per year, for a total of $960. He stated he was
<br />aware the City's infrastructure was getting old. He stated he wanted the sanitary sewer system
<br />replaced when it breaks down, but he doesn't want to pay for it. He stated he wants good roads
<br />around him so the value of his home stays up with the surrounding cities. He explained his
<br />property value is computed on a cost comparison basis, and if a like home in a near City has
<br />better infrastructure, it will demand a higher price than his home. He stated he wants his home
<br />value protected, and wants good roads around him, but he doesn't want to pay for this.
<br />Ex-Mayor McCarty stated he did not like taxes or franchise fees. He explained the reason the
<br />City went to the franchise fee for this consideration, was because the Council at the time it was
<br />implemented, did not have a plan or policy in place for the use of those funds. He stated the road
<br />policy was being attacked from all fronts. He noted during the very last months of his service on
<br />the Council, they managed to appoint the Streets Policies Committee, however, the committee's
<br />work was not completed until this year. He stated, for the first time, since the City has run out of
<br />the road funds that were dedicated from the Silver Lake Woods Project in the early 1980's, they
<br />now have a plan in place, and the opportunity to fund that plan, to assist with the infrastructure
<br />and keep it healthy. He stated this would provide that the property values don't decrease,
<br />however, he doesn't want to pay for it.
<br />Ex-Mayor McCarty explained it appears to be at such cross-purposes to be calling for these
<br />services and understanding the ramifications if the infrastructures are let go, and on the one hand
<br />cry for that, and on the other hand, howl about the cost. He stated the reason the City lowered
<br />the franchise fee last year, and set up a schedule to reduce it out of existence, was because they
<br />had enough movement in the levy to absorb the costs that the franchise fee had formerly
<br />supported. He stated it was determined with careful consideration that if they were going to take
<br />the money for a program, then they should take it in the most proper and visible source, the
<br />property taxes. He stated he did not like paying property taxes, however, the matter was that
<br />simple. He explained that now that there is a road plan in place, via the Streets Policies
<br />Committee recommendations and the Council's adoption of those recommendations, they need
<br />to pay for this, or do nothing and let the infrastructure deteriorate, which would not be very wise
<br />stewardship for the future, or for themselves, and simply does not make sense.
<br />• Ex-Mayor McCarty stated there was not a "cast in stone" promise that the franchise fee would
<br />eventually disappear. He explained there was a plan in place with a sunset caveat attached, that
<br />the matter would be reviewed on an annual basis, and kept at the front of the debate, so that
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