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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2018/12/03PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Truth in Taxation Meeting December 3, 2018 Mounds View City Hall 2401 County Road 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Gunn, Hull, Meehlhause and Mueller. NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, December 3, 2018, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, December 3, 2018, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Truth in Taxation. Finance Director Beer indicated this Special meeting fulfilled the City’s need to hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing. He reviewed the proposed 2019 budget in detail indicating it was the City’s mission to provide high quality public services at a fiscally responsible rate. General fund expenditures by purpose were reviewed along with expenditures by function. He explained this meeting would provide the public a chance to voice concerns and noted the final budget would be approved at the December 10th Council Meeting. He commented on the general fund operating expenditures by function. The proposed revenues for 2019 were reviewed and he indicated the proposed property tax levy would be 9.12%. He reviewed how the City’s median value homeowner would be impacted by the proposed levy. The tax levy per capita was discussed and staff recommended the Council take comments from the public. Mayor Mueller commented on the increased health care costs the City would incur in the coming year and asked if this was written into the 2019 budget. Finance Director Beer reported this Mounds View City Council December 3, 2018 Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 2 increase had been included in the City’s expenditures. He commented further on the City’s worker’s comp increase. He described how the City’s experience mod would decrease over time. Mayor Mueller indicated the EDA/HRA levy assists the City with addressing community development since the City’s three TIF districts had retired. She asked if the City would continue to seal coat its streets whether or not the EDA/HRA levy was approved. Finance Director Beer reported this was the case, noting sealcoating was budgeted separately in the City’s long-term maintenance fund. Mayor Mueller stated she believed the only wiggle room the budget had at this time was with the EDA/HRA levy. Finance Director Beer explained if the Council were to do away with this levy, the Council would have to change the City’s strategic plan. Council Member Meehlhause questioned what the tax levy increase was for 2018. Finance Director Beer stated the levy in 2018 was 8.87%. Mayor Mueller questioned what percentage the EDA/HRA levy was of the total levy. Finance Director Beer reported this made up approximately 2%. Council Member Hull stated he did not see any EDA activity in the next five years. Council Member Meehlhause commented the EDA levy helps with the loan programs being provided to residents. Mayor Mueller questioned how a 2% reduction in the levy would impact the median value homeowner. Finance Director Beer estimated this would reduce the expense to homeowners by approximately $4 to $5. Council Member Hull stated the City had several significant expenditures increases in 2019 and did not believe there would be any EDA activity for the next five years. City Administrator Zikmund reviewed the Council’s strategic plan and noted the properties the City had in mind for redevelopment in the near future. Council Member Meehlhause asked if any of the EDA/HRA levy was used to support Brian Beeman. Finance Director Beer reported a portion of the levy was used to pay Business Development Coordinator Beeman. Mayor Mueller opened the Truth in Taxation meeting for public comment at 6:34 p.m. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, stated he has spoken to the Council twice during the budgeting process. He expressed concern with the proposed levy increase. He commented on the Council’s Statement of Values and encouraged the Council to follow the spirit of the law. He discussed the limits that were set on expanding fees within the City’s Charter and levy cap. He questioned why the EDA had not submitted a budget to the City Council. Finance Director Beer reported a budget was submitted to the Council in August of 2018. Mounds View City Council December 3, 2018 Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 3 Mayor Mueller closed the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:41 p.m. 6. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 3, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, December 10, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.