09-11-2023 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Second Reading, Ordinance 1007, and summary publication; Prohibiting use of Cannabis in Public Places. ROLL CALL VOTE City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance that would prohibit the use of cannabis in public places. He commented on the distance requirement language that was added to Section 1B and recommended approval of the Ordinance. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1007, Prohibiting use of Cannabis in Public Places and directing staff to complete a summary publication. ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9803, Authorizing Certification of the Preliminary General Fund Budget and Preliminary Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2024. Finance Director Beer requested the Council authorize certification of the preliminary General Fund Budget and preliminary property tax levy for fiscal year 2024. He explained staff was proposing a 7.5% preliminary levy. It was noted this percentage could be reduced between September and December, but could not be increased. Staff commented further on the General Fund Budget and recommended approval of the budget and tax levy. Council Member Lindstrom explained the proposed levy included the hire of a new Public Works employee. He commented on how the Council reviewed the budget line by line and the only thing that was being added was one staff member. He stated the percentage increase was also due to rising costs for gas and insurance. Council Member Gunn reported the Council always goes to the max in September with the preliminary levy and the Council then works to reduce this percentage by December. Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated another contributing factor to the levy increase was for COLA and negotiated pay increases for staff members. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, reminded the Council that Subdivision 1 of 703 talks about the Resolution to levy ad valorem taxes. He explained this statement reflects on all taxes. While he understood inflation was at 3.5%, he encouraged the Council to continue to work to reduce the proposed levy. He stated the City may have to consider cutting some services, given the fact the City was subsidizing the Community Center with $300,000 on an annual basis. He feared that elderly residents in Mounds View would be taxed out of their homes if the City continued to increase taxes by 7+% each year.