2015.01.13 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 9, 2014 Page 5 of 9 5 Ayes, 0 Nays-Motion Carried Council Business 1A. Consider Resolution Adopting the 2015-2017 Master Labor Agreement with the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local No. 263 (Sergeants). Report No. 14-307. Councilmember Bauman explained that the Council was being requested to approve a labor agreement between the City and the Police Sergeants. She expressed concern with the proposed cost of living adjustments over the next three years. She stated she could have supported 2% adjustments for the next two years but would not be able to support the 2.5% increase for the third year. She feared how these adjustments would impact the City in the long run. Motion by Councilmember Strub, seconded by Councilmember Burg to adopt a Resolution approving the 2015-2017 Master Labor Agreement with the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local No. 263 (Sergeants). 4 Ayes, 1 Nays (Bauman)-Motion Carried 1B. Consider Resolution Adopting the 2015-2017 Master Labor Agreement with the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local No. 113 (Police Officers). Report No. 14-308. Councilmember Bauman explained that the Council was being requested to approve a labor agreement between the City and the Police Officers. She expressed concern with the proposed cost of living adjustments over the next three years. She stated she could have supported 2% adjustments for the next two years but would not be able to support the 2.5% increase for the third year. She feared how these adjustments would impact the City in the long run. Motion by Councilmember Strub, seconded by Councilmember Burg to adopt a Resolution approving the 2015-2017 Master Labor Agreement with the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local No. 113 (Police Officers). 4 Ayes, 1 Nays (Bauman)-Motion Carried 2. Consideration of Resolution Adopting the Final 2015 Tax Levy. Report No. 14-311. City Manager Lotter indicated Finance Director Davitt would be presenting this item to the Council. Finance Director Davitt reported the 2015 tax levy has been discussed by the Council at a number of meetings earlier this year, including the Budget Public Hearing held on Tuesday, December 2nd. She reviewed the proposed tax levy, along with comparable data with the Council. She gave a break down on revenues and expenditures for 2015 and provided a brief explanation of how property taxes would impact median value homeowners. Staff recommended approval of the final 2015 tax levy, which was a 1.92% increase over the 2014 levy. Councilmember Bauman thanked staff for their presentation. She did not agree that the City was “giving back” $101,000 from the County to the tax payers. Rather, the City was just not taxing property owners by an additional $101,000. She did not support the fact that LGA funds were being kept in the general fund in 2015. She believed that an effort should be made to return these funds to the taxpayers and feared how the City would be impacted if LGA funding were to go away. She provided comment on the staff salaries. She indicated the average annual salary for staff was $72,000, with the top ten pay receivers made over $1 million. She reported the average income for homeowners in New Brighton was making $62,000. She believed the City was proposing to spend too much in 2015 and for this reason she could not support the proposed tax levy. Councilmember Burg commented that by placing the LGA funds in the City’s budget, the tax levy was Council Business 1A. Consider Resolution Adopting the 2015-2017 Master Labor Agreement with the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local No. 263 (Sergeants). Report No. 14-307. 1B. Consider Resolution Adopting the 2015-2017 Master Labor Agreement with the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local No. 113 (Police Officers). Report No. 14-308. 2. Consideration of Resolution Adopting the Final 2015 Tax Levy. Report No. 14-311.