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September 9, 2014 Page4of5 <br />certify the dates selected for the Budget Discussion with Public Comment meeting, and the meeting when the <br />final tax levies are detennined to Ramsey County on or before September 30th• Staff recommended that the <br />2015 Budget Discussion with Public Comment meeting be heJd Tuesday , December 2nd at 6:30 pm. The <br />final 20 15 budgets and tax levies will be adopted dming the regular City Council business meeting on <br />Tuesday, December 9th at 6:30 pm. <br />Councilmember Bauman thanked staff for the presentation She explained that she disagreed with the <br />munbers and discussed the decreasing median income for New Brighton residents. She stated the middle <br />income has gone down by 6%. She did not want to see the City moving backwards with overspending. She <br />believed that staffhad to more closely review the budget by examining the City's needs versus its wants. She <br />did not support City staff receiving COLA in 2015. She believed that there were a lot of people still suffering <br />financially and she was in favor of:fi.nther acljusting the budget to reduce the levy. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen appreciated the Council's discussion on the 2015 budget and tax levy thus far. He <br />appreciated the comparable scenarios provided by staff noting that New Brighton was proposing only a <br />1.92% levy increase. It was his opinion that New Brighton residents valued their services and as a taxpayer <br />he was going to continue to wisely represent the City. He appreciated the realistic budget provided by staff <br />given the economic climate over the past five years and stated he would support the proposed 1.92% tax levy <br />mcrease. <br />Councilmember Burg appreciated the comments made this evening by Council and the time staffhas <br />invested in the budget She was pleased with the 1.92% levy cap. She provided further comment on Local <br />Government Aid and stating this state aid measure was being offered in 2015 to assist with property tax relief <br />She supported the proposed budget and tax levy. <br />Councilmember Strub believed that the budget and tax levy were reasonable, forward-thinking and respected <br />the needs of the New Brighton residents. It was his opinion that the budget was a reflection of the vision for <br />the City and he supported both the budget and tax levy. <br />Mayor Jacobsen found the 2015 budget to be reasonable as well. He appreciated the discussion held by the <br />Council this evening. <br />Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Jacobsen to approve a Resolution <br />adopting the proposed tax levy for taxes payable in 2015 and to set the dates for the 2015 <br />budget discussion with public comment and the determination of the final 2015 tax levies. <br />4 Ayes, 1 Nay (Bauman)-Motion Canied <br />3. Considerntion of Resolution Adopting the Proposed Tax Levies for Taxes Payable in 2015 <br />for Lake Diane and Bicentennial Pond Storm Sewer Improvement Taxing Districts. Report <br />No. 14-234. <br />City Manager Lotter reported the City has established Storm Sewer Improvement Taxing Districts within the <br />City for Lake Diane and Bicentennial Pond. A Storm Sewer Improvement Taxing District is an area within <br />the territorial limits of a municipality. The municipality may acquire, construct, maintain, and otherwise <br />improve storm sewer systems and related facilities within the district for the benefit of the district He <br />explained the Public Works Deparbnent works with the residents of each district to determine specific <br />projects and courses of action The costs involved are recovered by levying tax on all taxable properties <br />within the district It was noted the City has adopted similar tax levies for both districts for a number of years. <br />Staff requested the Council approve a resolution that adopting the proposed tax levies for taxes payable in <br />2015 for Lake Diane and Bicentennial Pond Storm Sewer Improvement Taxing Districts. <br />Mayor Jacobsen suggested. <br />Motion by CounciImember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Jacobsen to approve a resolution that <br />adopting the proposed tax levies for taxes payable in 2015 for Lake Diane and Biecentennial Pond <br />Stonn Sewer Improvement Taxing Districts. <br />3. Considerntion of <br />Re&lIutionAdopting1he <br />Propooed Tax Levies fur <br />TaxesPayablein2015for <br />Lake Diane and <br />Bicartennial Pond Storm <br />Sewer Improvement <br />TaxingDistricts. Report <br />No. 14-234.