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December 2, 2014 Page 2 of 3 5 Ayes, 0 Nays - Motion Carried The Budget Hearing was opened at 6:46 p.m. Rick Moses, 2049 29th Avenue, discussed the City’s LGA funding noting it was not free. He encouraged the Council not to squander these funds. He questioned if the LGA funding was being used to cover the expense of the Community Center renovations. He believed that the Community Center membership should be covering the expense of the restroom renovations. He asked why the City was considering 2% raises for all employees given the fact only 1/2% raises were being offered in the private sector. He challenged the City to continue being a shining star and approve a 0% levy increase. Ted Votive, 2100 Greenview Drive, stated he has been a resident since 1968. He commended the Mayor, Council, Police and Fire for how they have run the City over the past few years. He believed staff was running the City well. He expressed frustration with Ramsey County’s valuation of his property. He then reviewed the total effect tax increases would have on him in 2015, stating the increases were closer to 7% than 2%. He believed there were too many layers of government in Minnesota. Mayor Jacobsen explained he was the City liaison with Ramsey County. He encouraged Mr. Votive to speak with the County regarding his property valuation. He noted he was the liaison to the North Metro Mayor’s Association and at a recent meeting, a State Representative was proposing legislation that would put further restraint on the Met Council. City Manager Lotter discussed the elements that impacted property taxes such as the multiple jurisdictions and agencies (Ramsey County and the School District). He commented that the value of a property was another element and these rates were established by Ramsey County Assessors. Bruce Knight, 50 32nd Avenue NW, explained he served on the Economic Development Commission. He thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak. He believed the City has done a tremendous job over the past seven years keeping expenses and tax levies low. He discussed the recent City newsletter noting it presented the budget in very minor detail. He recommended that a more detailed budget, in larger print be provided to residents in the future. He encouraged the Council to consider the City’s future and sustainability. It was his opinion that the City was spending too much on personnel at this time. He then discussed the average income in America compared to the average income of New Brighton employees. He suggested the City hire an independent consulting firm to evaluate the productivity of the City’s work force and compare this to like positions in the private sector. He believed this would be an eye opener for the City and its employees. Terry Post, 2810 Seminary Drive, explained he would have appreciated seeing where the City was at with its 2014 budget. He believed this information played a vital role in establishing the next year’s budget. He recommended that debt service not be lumped into the general fund. He provided comment on the health care increases for 2015 and suggested the Council consider these increases as a part of employee wages. Marlin Carlson, 1903 29th Avenue NW, stated he has been a New Brighton resident since 1967. He thanked the Council for their service and for holding the line on expenses. He reported his taxes were down $75 when compared to 2012. He explained that his utility rates have gone up over 20%. Graham Allan, 427 11th Avenue NW, thanked the Council for their time. He stated he has lived in New Brighton for a number of years and believed this was a great City to live in. He was pleased with how the City has managed itself over the past several years given the economic climate. He discussed the proposed insurance increases for City employees and encouraged the City to more closely evaluate how their employees are being compensated. City Manager Lotter anticipated that the health insurance information would be posted on the City’s website in the next day or two for the public to review. He understood that health