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Regular Council Meeting 5 <br /> November 27, 1990 <br /> 1 Before opening the Public Hearing, Mayor Ranallo established the order of <br /> 2 the Hearing: he would give opening remarks followed by City Manager Tom <br /> • 3 Burt and Finance Director Roger Larson. After the presentation either <br /> 4 written or stated questions will be taken from the audience. Following the <br /> 5 question and answer period, the audience would have the opportunity to <br /> 6 make statements. The hearing would be closed no later than 10:45 p.m. The <br /> 7 Council would then finish the rest of the business. Discussion on the tax levy <br /> 8 would resume at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow evening, if necessary. Councilmembers <br /> 9 agreed. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 Motion by Makowske, second by Marks to open the public hearing at 8:12 <br /> 12 p.m. <br /> 13 Motion carried unanimously. <br /> 14 <br /> 15 Mayor Ranallo introduced Staff members responsible for putting the <br /> 16 proposal together: City Manager, Tom Burt; Sue VanderHeyden, Assistant to <br /> 17 the City Manager; Finance Director, Roger Larson; Larry Hamer, Public Works <br /> 18 Director; Ray Nelson, Liquor Manager; Fire Chief Dick ,Johnson; Police Chief, <br /> 19 Dick Engstrom. <br /> 20 <br /> 21 The hearing is a result of a 1988 Truth In Taxation Law requiring all taxing <br /> 22 districts to publicize a hearing regarding budgets. This Law was supported <br /> • 23 by the League of Cities. The City of St. Anthony started this process May 29, <br /> 24 1990. Although the meeting was publicized, it was poorly attended. In <br /> 25 preparation for this meeting notices were sent to residents and <br /> 26 announcements were in the newspapers. Hennepin County has already had <br /> 27 their hearing; and the School District will have theirs on December 4. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Ranallo said that a 5.8% increase is being proposed. In May all <br /> 30 department heads were asked to review and tone down their <br /> 31 budgets. In 1991 the City will lose $85,000 in State aid, about <br /> 32 18.4%. The increase asked for is $86,000 or a 3.7% increase in <br /> 33 expenditures. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 The City budget is about $2,089,000. The cost to the taxpayer is a $50 <br /> 36 increase on a $90,000 home. The City has a good financial reserve of about <br /> 37 $500,000. Part of the City's problem this year was the lowering of the value <br /> 38 of Apache Plaza by the County because they claimed hardship. Ranallo said <br /> 39 the City is probably one of the largest of the smaller communities that has a <br /> 40 large portion of tax exempt property: Salvation Army Camp, Gross Golf <br /> 41 Course, 4 large churches, a cemetery at a reduced rate and one that is tax <br /> 42 exempt. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Usually taxes have risen because of the increase in spending; however, <br /> 45 Ranallo said that is not so in this case. Local government aid, the City picks <br />