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05 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes December 8, 2003 Page 5 1 Councilmember Sparks noted State payments should be decreasing and City payments would.be 2 increasing, as that was the goal. 3 4 Councilmember Faust discussed another tax reform that took place a few years ago where the 5 school levy was stopped and State aid was given to the schools,which was charged against all 6 commercial and seasonal recreational property. He noted the State did not tell taxpayers they 7 had to raise that tax levy to get the amount of money needed and,in addition, the schools had to 8 go back to get more money, as it was shifted away from them. 9 10 Councilmember Faust stated he agreed with Mr. Cavanaugh when he indicated there was a shift 11 of tax burden when commercial properties and apartments were compressed and made less or 12 closer to residential taxes. He noted the commercial to residential ratio had been 3:1 at one 13 however, it was currently down to 1.5-1.7:1. He added the same budget was still needed; 14 however, it was obtained from a different group. He noted this also was under property tax 15 reform. 16 17 Councilmember Faust stated he was often at the Legislature discussing how the tax burden gets 18 "pushed down,"which the Legislature called"accountability." He added St. Anthony 19 representatives to the State Senate and House understood the problem and heard it"loud and 20 clear from us"; however,he stated they happened to be in the minority. 21. 22 Councilmember Thuesen indicated he agreed with Mr. Cavanaugh regarding the need to be 23 diligent before the State Legislature. He indicated the City knew it was facing these hard 24 decisions after the Legislature finished its business the previous year. He added the difficulties 25 at the resident's level needed to be continually brought before the Legislature when they came 26 back in session. 27 28 A resident residing at 3201 Hilldale Avenue NE, noted he was a retiree who shared the voiced 29 concerns and agreed with Mr. Cavanaugh's comments. He indicated the biggest area from 30 which taxes could be reduced and money saved was the"Fire Department situation." He stated 31 the Parks Board was not happy to see the Fire Department next to the new park and homeowners 32 were concerned, as indicated by the"For Sale"signs. He asked if there was still time to 33 reconsider and find a more cost-effective solution. 34 35 Amelia Kramarczak, 3920 Macalaster(?), stated she had lived in the community for 23 years. 36 She noted she agreed with Mr. Cavanaugh and added she was a person'suffering"real property 37 discrimination." She added her taxes were increased every year;however,no one ever asked her 38 what she as a"widow, pensioner and cripple"needed. She asked where her choice was, as her 39 taxes were increased and damage to her property went unnoticed. She asked why she had no 40 place where she could complain and noted City government had power she did not have. She 41 asked the City not to "rip up people who work hard." 42 43 John Kuharski, 2709 Paul Avenue, noted he had not heard an answer regarding fees being 44 charged to other communities for fire department services. He also asked if the liquor store's 45 large profit was included in the 2004 budget. His third question was if it was still possible to put