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10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />March 8, 2011 <br />Page 3 <br />handle 49% more cases than its surrounding states; in addition, the Hennepin County court <br />wanted to know whether it was handling cases appropriately within its budget and it was <br />determined that Hennepin County is handling 100% more cases than other large urban courts, <br />e.g., Phoenix. She stated that the court is currently funded at 91% of need but the caseload <br />remains the same and there are several open positions currently on the bench. She expressed <br />concern that further budget cuts will result in a serious inability to get the work done and address <br />grievances properly within the court system. She discussed the prioritization of cases within the <br />court system and how low level civil matters may need to be put on temporary hiatus which is <br />unfortunate because the payable citations in these cases represent monies that come back to St. <br />Anthony and other communities. She expressed her appreciation to the Council for the <br />opportunity to discuss the court system. <br />B. Finance Department 2010 Annual Resort. Roger Larson. Finance Director, presenting. <br />Finance Director Larson presented the Finance Department's 2010 annual report. The report <br />covered the following information: Overview of Finance Department, Long Range Financial <br />Planning, Total Operations 2010 Budget, General Operating Levy, General Fund Balance, Debt <br />Service, Infrastructure Projects Finalized in 2010, Financial Strength, Water Rates, Sanitary <br />Waste Disposal Costs, Grants, and 2011 Projects. <br />Finance Director Larson answered questions of the City Council regarding the accountant <br />position in the Finance Department and stated that 75% of her duties are related to liquor store <br />operations, including tracking of expenditures, and her salary is reimbursed 100% by the liquor <br />operations budget. <br />Councilmember Stille pointed out that the City has worked hard to maintain a 0% increase in the <br />general operating levy for the past three years and that some capital improvement projects have <br />been delayed and salaries were not increased. He indicated that the City has always tried to <br />serve its residents to the best of its ability at the most cost - effective price, and has never imposed <br />the maximum levy available. <br />Finance Director Larson agreed and added that some capital equipment purchases have also been <br />deferred. He stated that rising fuel costs will need to be addressed in 2011 as well. <br />Councilmember Roth requested further information regarding the City's debt service. <br />Finance Director Larson stated that the City carries approximately $35 million in debt, which <br />includes some Series 2006 and Series 2007 revenue bonds; those bonds are funded by tax <br />increment dollars and are not all the responsibility of the taxpayer. <br />Mayor Faust commended Finance Director Larson and the Finance Department staff for their <br />efforts. <br />C. Public Works 2010 Annual Report. Jay Hartman, Public Works Director, presenting. <br />