HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000039_pg033City Council minutes
-8- January 26, 1976
Mayor Johnson asked: Are your clients unwilling to pay any
additional cost increases in terms of increasing the license fees?
Mr. Bell said they are willing to pay their fair share. It is
their feeling that they are paying an adequate share.
Mayor Johnson: Are they willing to pay an increased amount?
Mr. Bell: It depends on where the increase is. The position
they are taking is that they are paying adequately now. It is
fair to say that they feel they are paying their fair share.
Administrator Achen stated he presented some alternatives last
Tuesday and Mr. Bell replied that it still reads a substantial
increase.
Mayor Johnson: How much real estate property taxes do they pay?
Let me tell you what it is. $3050 which includes fire, police,
etc. The point is that you are paying for the services through
the license fee not through real estate taxes. The police
department have told us that many of the most difficult law
enforcement problems have arisen from the hospitality industry
in the city. Some way we have to recognize that facet. Maybe
we are overbuilt. People are coming in from other suburbs which
is not always desirable. Our police department has to deal
initially with these people. You have to begin putting this into
perspective.
Councilman Baumgartner: You keep referring to policemen.
Recently a number of assault cases have wound up in court and
we have to pay a retainer to our lawyer.
Mr. Bell: In a city of 16,000 there is going to be crime.
One of the functions of the Council is to provide police and
court facilities. Mayor Johnson asked the Council for other
comments.
Councilman Shelquist: We wouldn't need a third patrolman for
four hours around the closing hour of the liquor establishments.
We could probably go to just two full time men.
Mr. Bell: You wouldn't want to provide less even if you didn't
have the liquor establishments. 16,000 people need the services
of 11 officers. Less than that would be unfair to the citizens.
Councilman Shelquist: I disagree that we would not reduce the
size of the police force if it wasn't for the liquor establishments.
Councilman Baumgartner: The shopping centers, etc. is another
area that will be considered, but one step at a time.
Mayor Johnson: The licenses are going to go up. We will listen.
But we have got to assess for the increased costs. How do you
do it? Some will go to property owners, some to your clients by
increased license fees. What is the best way to do it? Do you
feel that each one of your clients pay an equal license fee?