2019.09.24 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 10, 2019 Page 3 of 7 Councilmember Allen agreed stating TIF was providing the City and developers a way to redevelopment properties in New Brighton. City Manager Lotter discussed how the City was adding to its tax base when a TIF District was decertified. 4 Ayes, 0 Nays-Motion Carried 2. Consideration of Resolution Adopting the Proposed Preliminary Tax Levy for Taxes Payable 2020 and setting the meeting dates for the 2020 Budget Discussion with Public Comment and the Determination of the Final 2020 Tax Levies. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Allen to Approve the Resolution adopting the proposed preliminary tax levy for taxes payable in 2020 and setting the meeting date for the 2020 budget discussion with public comment and the determination of the final 2020 tax levies. City Manager Lotter indicated Finance Director Davitt would be presenting this item to the Council. Finance Director Davitt explained the Preliminary 2020 Budget outlines key issues and financing strategies for our operations during the year. The Preliminary 2020 Budget components reflect the City Council adopted priorities: financial sustainability, communit y engagement, economic development, effective service quality, and workforce engagement and development. She explained Minnesota State Statute requires all cities in excess of 2,500 in population, to adopt a preliminary tax levy by September 30 for the upcoming fiscal year. Once the preliminary levy is adopted, it can be lowered but not increased. This proposed tax levy will be used by Ramsey County to prepare parcel specific tax notices that are mailed to every property owner within the City later in November. Finance Director Davitt reported the City is also required to certify the dates selected for our “Budget Discussion with Public Comment” meeting, and the meeting when the final tax levies are determined, to Ramsey County on or before September 30. It is recommended that the 2020 Budget Discussion with Public Comment meeting and adoption of the final 2020 budget and tax levies be held during the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. The date, time and place for the scheduled public hearings will be included on the County’s parcel specific notices. Finance Director Davitt explained the City Council received the 2020 City Manager Recommended Budget at the Council Worksession on July 31, 2019. This was followed with subsequent CIP and budget discussions at the August 13 and August 27 Worksessions. The City Manager’s Recommended Preliminary 2020 General Fund Budget is $18,292,100, which represents an increase of 6.2% over the 2019 Adopted Budget. She provided further comment on the purpose and objective of the budget and reviewed the departmental requests. She discussed how New Brighton’s levy compared to neighboring cities. She described how the proposed tax levy would impact the median value single family homeowner and recommended approval of the preliminary tax levy for 2020. Councilmember Burg thanked staff for working really hard with the Council on the budget. She appreciated the fact staff was willing to work with Council in order to bring the levy down to a level the Council could support. She stated she was supportive of the work that had been done and would support the 2020 budget as presented by staff. Councilmember Jacobsen explained he appreciated the fact this Council had stuck with the previous Council’s objectives and was working towards debt free streets. He appreciated the fact the City was not relying on LGA. He thanked the Council for remaining true to its goals and thanked staff for working so diligently to keep the City moving forward in a positive manner. Councilmember Allen stated he was pleased with the work that had been done on the budget. He commented it was a balancing act for the Council to work with staff in order to meet the needs of the City while not overburdening the taxpayers. He appreciated the fact the Council 2. Consideration of Resolution Adopting the Proposed Preliminary Tax Levy for Taxes Payable 2020 and setting the meeting dates for the 2020 Budget Discussion with Public Comment and the Determination of the Final 2020 Tax Levies.