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�Of <br />�'VV <br />BRIGHTON <br />the city that works for you <br />Council Worksession <br />September 22, 2015 <br />5:00 pm <br />Present: Mayor Dave Jacobsen <br />Councilmember Gina Bauman <br />Councilmember Brian Strub <br />Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Councilmember Mary Burg <br />Absent: <br />Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Brenda Davitt, Bob Jacobsen, Craig Schlichting, Sandy Breuer <br />Guests in Attendance: <br />Ribbon Cutting Cereriioii y at Totem Park located at I 11 l Foss Roacl <br />The Council held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Totem Park. <br />Discussion of 2016 Budget and Prelirninaf Tax gy <br />Lotter indicated Finance Director Davitt would be presenting this item to the Council. He explained the budget <br />presentation was a follow up based on the discussion held at the previous Council worksession meeting. He <br />reported the Council would be approving the preliminary tax levy this evening. <br />Davitt understood that the Council wanted the levy increase to be reduced to 3.86%. In order to accomplish <br />this task, staff had to put an additional $400,000 into increasing franchise fees. The proposed allocation would <br />allow staff to make the recommended fleet contribution and golf course supplement. In addition, the <br />healthcare contribution could be made. She then briefly reviewed the preliminary tax levy and 2016 budget <br />with the Council. She noted that New Brighton did have a growing tax base and then compared the City's tax <br />rate to neighboring communities. <br />Lotter discussed the City's mutual aid agreements and partnerships in place that assist the City with cost saving <br />measures. He provided comment on other ways in which the City has learned to economize through the Public <br />Safety model. He then reviewed how the City's tax levy compares to Columbia Heights. <br />Davitt reiterated that only the preliminary tax levy would be approved this evening and the final adoption <br />would not be granted until December 8, 2015. She requested comments or questions from the Council. <br />Mayor Jacobsen thanked staff for the presentation and for addressing the Council's concerns. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen commended staff on their efforts. He supported the tax levy at 3.86%. He was <br />pleased that the fleet/non-fleet contribution would still be made. In addition, he supported the use of LGA for <br />streets. He believed the proposed tax levy was workable. <br />