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October 28, 2025 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 3 Councilmember Jenson noted that it was established about five years ago. Previously, it was two tiers. Councilmember Randle stated that it was a fair way of handling and rewarding people who conserve water. Mayor Webster noted that when she looks at the tiers, 81% of residents are within Tiers 1 and 2. That is encouraging as well. Mayor Webster commented that she appreciated that Ms. Maloney was looking at the proposed increase as an adjustment to the water rates how the graduated base on the tiers was included. Councilmember Doolan referred to uplifting the water infrastructure. She looked at the detailed water operations and overtime needed. She can see how risk compares to expense categories. Councilmember Doolan asked about IT Software support in the detailed water operations chart and asked if that cost is shared across all the departments. Ms. Maloney stated that there is other software supporting the production and distribution of water, which is also charged to those funds. It also includes billing software. Mayor Webster asked when the Council will see this information next, and Ms. Maloney stated the first meeting in November. Mr. Yunker stated that some of these are within the Ordinances. Mayor Webster suggested revisiting the use of excess funds towards next year’s tax levy. Mr. Yunker suggested discussing that now. Ms. Maloney stated it is set up to put the money into the capital equipment fund and reduce the levy for the next six years. Mr. Yunker stated in a sense, it is a little bit of both. We are reducing revenue sources and using a pot of money to fill that gap. This needs to be continued until we can establish another revenue source. That could be over six years, or it could be one or two years, depending on all the other factors that we don’t know until we approach it each year. Councilmember Jenson stated he thought Council decided that we would provide a little funding for next year and re-evaluate after that to continue with the 6-year plan, or shorten it, or save in the general fund for an emergency. Mr. Yunker stated that it needs to be reviewed annually to assess our status. Councilmember Doolan asked if the accounting mechanism allows us to do both. We could choose after one year to use other revenue streams if available. Mayor Webster stated that we need to replace the water infrastructure and the cost associated with that, and the Lowry Avenue project that will be forthcoming, and how we may need some funding for that. When considering the staffing level for the Fire Department and bringing it to 3 people per shift, with the OSHA standard being 4 people per shift. We will continue to look at the call volume data, which will likely increase, and at some point, we will need to hire for Phase 2. If we use the funds to reduce the levy this year, and in 2028 we need to hire those next 3 Fire Department employees, the levy is going to pop that year. She asked how we might consider the 9% increase for 2026 and continue to look at other factors that may come into play moving forward. Councilmember Jenson stated he liked the path the Council considered two weeks ago, dropping the levy to 7.63% for the first year and evaluating after that. He asked if the rate accounts always contain a positive balance, and Ms. Maloney stated they do. In the long-term view, it shows how they anticipate the fund balance continuing. The tax levy does not go into the utility funds. Mr. Yunker reviewed the 5