CC PACKET 09102024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff acknowledges Council’s request to keep the levy increase under 5% increase from 2024. And as stated, in upcoming capital funds discussions options can be discussed for alternative measures to decrease the levy prior to the final levy adoption in December. To provide context for the current environment, staff has initial levy increase information from area cities, listed below. The average preliminary levy increase for the list of cities below is 10.48%. Roseville St. Paul Shoreview Falcon Heights North St. Paul New Brighton White Bear Lake White Bear Township Mounds View Vadnais Heights Maplewood Lauderdale Arden Hills GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND LEVY The standard parameters used for preparing the General Fund Budget and Levy include:  City revenues budgeted at current run rates for sources that are subject to trends and conservative baseline estimates for re‐occurring aids and charges for services.  Expenses budgeted at amounts that will maintain present level of City services.  Liquor transfers to the General Fund based on liquor operating results from the previous 5‐7 years and the long‐term needs of the fund. THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND LEVY DETAILS Each year the General Fund revenue and expenditure budget line items are examined for changes in expected collections/charges, labor adjustments, changes in contract rates, insurance rates, utility costs, usage of various materials or needs, etc. The findings of this examination produce the drivers associated with the proposed 6.00% increase in the Overall Levy. The chart below demonstrates what the cost drivers for general fund dollars Administration 9% Finance 4% Police 50% Fire 17% Public Works 10% Parks 4% All Other 6% GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY DEPARTMENT Personnel Costs 71% Contracted Services 10% Other Insurance Costs 5% Pass Through Costs 3% Remaining Line Items 11% GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY 18