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City Council Truth in Taxation Hearing Meeting Minutes December 6, 1995 ` Page 6 • 1 Jim Olson, 3213 Hilldale Avenue N.E., stated he has lived in the City for 40 years and has never 2 seen such an increase. He felt it did not appear there is any relief in sight. He noted last night at 3 the School Board meeting, they announced a school tax that will be with the residents for the 4 next 20 years. He felt this was a serious situation. Mr. Olson stated his frustration with 5 unfunded mandates. He reported last night it was suggested that State Legislators be present at 6 the taxation meetings and face the questions the City Council faces in areas of unfunded 7 mandates. 8 Mayor Ranallo noted that the State Legislators do attend meetings at the City but the residents 9 don't attend those meetings. 10 Mr. Olson suggested the City look at their expense sheet and find ways to save pennies. He 11 suggested only allowing increases as high as the cost of living increase of 2.5%. He stated he felt 12 if the City succeeds in getting CUB Foods into Apache with tax increment financing, it will not 13 help the City at all as CUB will not be on the tax roll. 14 Mayor Ranallo acknowledged CUB would not be on the tax roll for 12 to 14 years. He also 15 noted, however, there are other properties which will be coming onto the tax roll soon and the 16 City will benefit. 17 Finance Director Larson noted there are some properties scheduled to come on the tax roll in the 18 years 2000 to 2005. 19 Mr. Ralph Johnson, 2504-36th Avenue N.E., recounted his experience with dog control in the 20 City and stated in his opinion,the City did not have any animal control. He objected to the 21 federal government bragging about the fact that the next seven years they will continue to plunge 22 the country into deeper debt at which time they will admit they can't spend money they don't 23 have. He noted how difficult raised valuations can be for unemployed and senior citizens on 24 fixed incomes. 25 Jim Wiehoff, 3508 Coolidge Street N.E., stated he had built his house in 1960 and was proud to 26 live in the Village. He indicated since Mayor Sundland passed away, his taxes have doubled. He 27 stated he feels the Police Department spends too much time writing traffic tickets. He noted he 28 likes police protection but he has had one car stolen and one broken into in front of his house in 29 the last six months. He stated he firmly believed that the people who run the City should live in 30 the City. Mr. Wiehoff stated in 1990 the budget for police and fire protection was less than $1 31 million. He complimented the Fire Department for not "going wild" with their budget. He felt 32 employees, like Fire Chief Johnson, who lived in the Village have more interest in the residents. 33 He stated the current City Hall could probably withstand another tornado and asked if the new 34 building would be able to. He suggested cutting the fat in the budget and getting rid of it quick. 35 He stated he felt the taxes were ridiculous. He asked if Apache Mall was closing this month.