HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/12/02APPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Truth In Taxation Meeting
December 2, 2024
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
6:00 P.M.
1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Cermak, Clark, Gunn, Lindstrom, Meehlhause.
NOT PRESENT: None.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, December 2, 2024, City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, December 2, 2024, agenda as
amended adding Public Comment prior to Council Business.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
4B. PUBLIC COMMENT
Murwo Mohamed, 2657 Mounds View Boulevard, requested the Council make an investment in
the workout equipment at the Community Center. She asked that the City add a leg press and smith
machine to the Community Center.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, thanked the Council for their support during the elections.
He explained he was a head judge for Precinct 2 and noted he appreciated the expansion into the
Community Center given the number of people that voted on Election Day.
5. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Truth in Taxation Presentation.
Finance Director Bauman reviewed the proposed 2025 budget in detail with the Council indicating
it was the City’s mission to provide high quality public services in a fiscally responsible manner.
She discussed the variables that impact tax bills and described the process the City follows in order
Mounds View City Council December 2, 2024
Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 2
to approve its budget and tax levy. She commented on why tax bills change, which had to do with
market value changes, budgets and levies of various jurisdictions, special assessments, voter
approved referendums, changes in federal and state mandates, changes in aid, or other legislative
changes. She discussed how property values in Mounds View had risen 2.05% in 2024 and
commented on how property taxes are calculated based on a property’s value. She reported this
meeting would allow the public a time to voice concerns and explained the final budget would be
approved by the Council at their Monday, December 9, 2024 meeting.
Finance Director Bauman explained the proposed property tax levy would increase by 8.53%. She
reported the General Fund is the City’s operating fund and accounts for most city-wide activities.
She provided the Council with a summary on General Fund revenue and expenditure changes. She
described how property taxes were broken down between the City, county and school district, as
well as defining how the City utilized its tax dollars. She compared the City’s proposed levy to the
levy of comparable 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 Lindstrom thanked staff for the detailed presentation. He opened the Truth in Taxation
Public Hearing at 6:18 p.m.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, thanked Mayor Lindstrom and staff for meeting with him
and talking through his questions on the different levies. He thanked the Council for continuing to
work on the levy in order to reduce it below the 9% cap. He indicated the Charter Commission set
caps in order to ensure the government does not spend at a rate higher than family incomes are
increasing. He stated he was concerned with the fact the police department was eliminating one
police officer. He understood the debt service would be going up in 2025, even though
expenditures would be going down. He encouraged the Council to continue to work with the
Charter Commission in the coming year.
Finance Director Bauman commented on the debt schedule noting it was set and the City had to
levy for a certain amount in order to pay the principle and interest in 2025.
Mayor Lindstrom explained there has been consistent momentum to balance the budget for 2025.
He reported the City has been operating with 17 officers for several years and the department is
authorized to have 21. He stated the City Council decided to remove one position from the budget
for 2025, knowing the department would be utilizing new technology, while also working to recruit
quality candidates. He was hopeful that this position could be added back into the budget for 2026
if recommended by the police chief. He agreed the City Council should continue to work with the
Charter Commission in the coming year.
City Administrator Zikmund reported he had scheduled three additional work session meetings
next year, one with the Charter Commission in order to discuss the levy, voter approved
referendums, streets, and Council vacancy process.
Mayor Lindstrom closed the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m.
6. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Mounds View City Council December 2, 2024
Truth in Taxation Meeting Page 3
Next Council Meeting: Monday, December 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial