2017.12.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 12, 2017 City Manager Lotter indicated Finance Director Davitt would be presenting this item to the Council. Finance Director Davitt explained the 2018 General Fund Budget receives 55% of its total revenues from property taxes. It was noted the City Council approved a preliminary 2018 tax levy of $8,661,170 on September 12th. This represents an additional investment of $761,070 from the levy payable in 2017. The preliminary 2018 tax levy was certified to Ramsey County and used in their calculations for their parcel specific notices mailed to each property owner. A summary of the City's expenditures and revenues was provided to the Council. She reported how the City's tax capacity had increased and noted how this would impact the median value homeowner. Staff -compared New Brighton's levy to neighboring communities and recommended approval. Councilmember Bauman asked if the election increase was necessary. City Manager Lotter explaincd this increase was due to the fact the City had to comply with the minimum wage act during the upcoming election. He explained the 2018 election was quite large and additional staffing would be needed for early voting. Councilmember Bauman was of the opinion the proposed increases within the 2018 budget were excessive. She expressed concern with the fact that the Council never fully discussed or made any adjustments to the bLi4let to address the increases. She indicated there was nothing new within the budget that added to the services being provided to New Brighton residents. She stated she would not be offering her support to the budget given the proposed increase. Councilmember Stri b reported the Council met and discussed the budget at 18 inectings in the past year. He noted all five of the Councilmembers had an opportunity to address or comment on concerns within the budget at these niecti ngs. He believed the Council had an ample amount of opportunity to address concerns within the budget during the past year. Mayor Johnson discussed the new services that would be added in 2018, such as body wom cameras and additional street inrpawentents. She stated she strungly supported the budget and the decisions that were being made by the Council. Councilmernber Burg noted no reserves were being used to keep the levy down. She commented on how successful the new Eagles Nest was and anticipated revenues for this amenity would be higher than projected Councilmember Jacobsen discussed the fleet/non-fleet budget and appreciated how this document assisted the Council in creating a stable budget" He appreciated the fact that the Council was now more forward looking with its financial planning while also reducing its need for debt. Councilmember Bauman agreed the CIP was a valuable tool. She commented on how the City was utilizing LGA for streets and reported these dollars should have never been placed in the General Fund. Councilmember Stub explained the Council was proposing to adopt a balanced budget. He commented this budget was a statement on the Council's goals, values and priorities for the City. He stated he believed the proposed budget would allow the Council to continue to reach its goals by providi n- high level services for New Br-igliton residents. He described how home values were on the rise and he hoped the City would continue to invest in its parks and streets in order to keep residents moving into the community. Mayor Johnson reported for transparency purposes, Councilmember Bauman voted to move LGA outside of the General Fund into streets. Councilmember Bauman stated she originally voted to move LGA from the State to the taxpayers, which led to tax relief for taxpayers. Councilmember Burg called the question. 4 Ayes,1 Nay (Bauman oppowd)-Motion Carried 2. Consider Resolution !adopting the Final 2018 BLidgct4 and 2018-2027 CIP. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Strub to Waive the Reading and Adopt the Resolution Approving the Final 2018 Budgets and 2018-2027 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Page 6 of 10 2. Consider ttesoblion & firig die I'itud 20113 angels aix12018-2027 OR