HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2022/12/05APPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Truth In Taxation Meeting
December 5, 2022
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
6:05 P.M.
1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron (arrived at 6:11 p.m.), Cermak, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller
(arrived at 6:09 p.m.).
NOT PRESENT: None.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, December 5, 2022, City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Approve the Monday, December 5, 2022, agenda
as presented.
Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
5. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Truth in Taxation Presentation.
Finance Director Beer reviewed the proposed 2023 budget in detail with the Council indicating it
was the City’s mission to provide high quality public services at a fiscally responsible manner.
General Fund expenditures by purpose were reviewed along with expenditures by function. He
noted this meeting would allow the public a time to voice concerns and explained the final budget
would be approved at the Monday, December 12, 2022 City Council Meeting.
Finance Director Beer described the General Fund operating expenditures by function. He noted
the 2023 budget had very minor increases. He discussed the great partnership the City had with
the SBM Fire Department and commented on how this partnership allowed the City to receive fire
protection services at a very affordable rate. He commented further on the percentage of the budget
that was spent on personnel and how inflation would impact the 2023 budget.
Mounds View City Council December 5, 2022
Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 2
Finance Director Beer commented on the City’s revenues of which 69% were from property taxes,
along with the other sources for revenues. He discussed how the fund balance would be impacted
in 2023. It was noted the proposed property tax levy would increase by 4.98%. He compared the
City’s proposed levy to the levy of neighboring communities. Staff discussed how the proposed
levy would impact the median value home owner and asked for comments or questions from the
City Council.
Mayor Mueller asked who assigns the value on properties. Finance Director Beer reported this was
done by the County Assessors office.
Council Member Meehlhause inquired if the police referendum amount changed from year to year.
Finance Director Beer explained the referendum is a percentage of the estimated market value of
the entire City and this value changes from year to year.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, asked if staff knew how much land area was taxed versus
the land that was untaxed. Finance Director Beer estimated the City had 15% of the land in TIF
districts or untaxed.
Mr. Amundsen commented when he received his tax preparation bill for 2023 he learned that the
other tax authorities had decreases for the coming year while the City of Mounds View would have
an increase. He questioned if this was because the City was continuing to do large transfers in and
out of funds, or if the City was not dealing with a balanced budget.
Finance Director Beer reported the school district and county received fairly large federal grants
that the City did not receive, which was assisting them with their 2023 budgets.
Mr. Amundsen encouraged the Council to consider using a zero based budget going forward.
Renee Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, explained she printed out the budget for 2023. She
understood a $450,000 trail was being planned for her neighborhood and noted this trail was not
wanted. She questioned where the money for this trail was coming from stating she did not see the
expense on the budget. Finance Director Beer reported the trail project was within the budget of
the street improvement project. He explained Fridley would be administering this project and the
City would pay its portion.
Ms. Johnson asked who was driving the trail improvements. Finance Director Beer indicated the
trail was part of the City’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
Ms. Johnson stated if this trail has been in in the City’s plans for over 15 years, why did the City
wait to tell the residents until just recently. Finance Director Beer commented this was because
Fridley gave the City of Mounds View very short notice. He reported the City typically plans its
street projects a year and a half in advance.
Ms. Johnson indicated there was 100% participation in a petition on the Mounds View side to not
put the trail in. She questioned if this would impact the street project. Finance Director Beer stated
this would be determined by the City Council.
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Mayor Mueller questioned if staff had reviewed the petition. City Administrator Zikmund
explained the petition for this street project was for advisory purposes. He encouraged Ms. Johnson
to address the Council regarding this matter at the worksession meeting, as this was the Truth in
Taxation Hearing.
Council Member Meehlhause reported when he reviewed his property tax statement from the
County, his taxes went up for all three taxing jurisdictions. He anticipated that a resident’s property
tax increases or decreases were greatly dependent upon the resident’s property value.
6. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 5, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, December 12, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial