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Mounds View City Council December 2, 2024 <br />Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 2 <br /> <br />to approve its budget and tax levy. She commented on why tax bills change, which had to do with <br />market value changes, budgets and levies of various jurisdictions, special assessments, voter <br />approved referendums, changes in federal and state mandates, changes in aid, or other legislative <br />changes. She discussed how property values in Mounds View had risen 2.05% in 2024 and <br />commented on how property taxes are calculated based on a property’s value. She reported this <br />meeting would allow the public a time to voice concerns and explained the final budget would be <br />approved by the Council at their Monday, December 9, 2024 meeting. <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman explained the proposed property tax levy would increase by 8.53%. She <br />reported the General Fund is the City’s operating fund and accounts for most city-wide activities. <br />She provided the Council with a summary on General Fund revenue and expenditure changes. She <br />described how property taxes were broken down between the City, county and school district, as <br />well as defining how the City utilized its tax dollars. She compared the City’s proposed levy to the <br />levy of comparable communities. Staff discussed how the proposed levy would impact the median <br />value home owner and asked for comments or questions from the City Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom thanked staff for the detailed presentation. He opened the Truth in Taxation <br />Public Hearing at 6:18 p.m. <br /> <br />Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, thanked Mayor Lindstrom and staff for meeting with him <br />and talking through his questions on the different levies. He thanked the Council for continuing to <br />work on the levy in order to reduce it below the 9% cap. He indicated the Charter Commission set <br />caps in order to ensure the government does not spend at a rate higher than family incomes are <br />increasing. He stated he was concerned with the fact the police department was eliminating one <br />police officer. He understood the debt service would be going up in 2025, even though <br />expenditures would be going down. He encouraged the Council to continue to work with the <br />Charter Commission in the coming year. <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman commented on the debt schedule noting it was set and the City had to <br />levy for a certain amount in order to pay the principle and interest in 2025. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom explained there has been consistent momentum to balance the budget for 2025. <br />He reported the City has been operating with 17 officers for several years and the department is <br />authorized to have 21. He stated the City Council decided to remove one position from the budget <br />for 2025, knowing the department would be utilizing new technology, while also working to recruit <br />quality candidates. He was hopeful that this position could be added back into the budget for 2026 <br />if recommended by the police chief. He agreed the City Council should continue to work with the <br />Charter Commission in the coming year. <br /> <br />City Administrator Zikmund reported he had scheduled three additional work session meetings <br />next year, one with the Charter Commission in order to discuss the levy, voter approved <br />referendums, streets, and Council vacancy process. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom closed the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. <br /> <br />6. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.