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I I 1 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF NEW BRIGHTON Pursuant to notice thereof, a Truth in Taxation Hearing of the New Brighton City Council was held Wednesday, December 5, 1996, at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 803 Fifth Avenue NW. Present: Mayor Benke, Councilmembers Gunderman, Larson, Samuelson and Williams. Absent: None Also Present: Margaret Egan, Finance Director Matthew Fulton, City Manager John Kelley, Police Chief Les Proper, City Engineer Mayor Benke welcomed Councilmember of the Month, George Gregori. Benke explained that the purpose of the Truth in Taxation Hearing is to review the 1997 proposed budget and accept comments from the audience. Truth in Taxation Hearin& ~ Municipal Services and Financing for 1997 - 7:30-9:06 p.m. City Manager Matthew Fulton said the budgeting process is lengthy and begins in July when future service needs are studied. There are many budget worksessions with staff and Council to develop a financial plan which ultimately culminates in the creation of a budget. Stability and efficiency are promoted throughout, and the City is sensitive to taxpayer concerns of effective budgeting when resources are limited. The City portion of the entire tax bill represents 14%, and the proposed $12,053,000 budget is a 5.6% increase over 1996. Tax levy requirements total $110,800 and represent a 4% increase over the 1996 levy. When the initial budgeting process began, the proposed increase was 18 % which illustrates the efforts put forth by staff to achieve further reductions. Benke said the final consideration and adoption of the 1997 budget and certification of the tax levy will occur December 18. Finance Director Margaret Egan said the 1997 budget emphasizes commitment to financial stability; ongoing investment in parks, roads, and fleet; efficient and responsive services; and pro-active and preventive service choices. Prevention services are a special theme as the City expands to make neighborhoods safer. The addition of 2.5 police positions (Crime Prevention Specialist, Community Services Officer-half-time, and Police Officer) will dedicate time for crime prevention, increased traffic enforcement, and follow-up investigations. The budget includes expanded recycling to provide two cleanup days per year. The change in Police personnel will total $91,000 the first year, and the majority will be paid from property taxes. However, if the City receives a grant, local costs will decrease $25,000 annually through 1999. A $1/year increase in the residential recycling fee would finance cleanup days. The new annual fee would be $20. In September, the maximum tax levy was declared at $3,016,000 as stated in Truth in Taxation notices mailed to property owners. Since then, staff and Council worked to reduce that need to $2,871,100; or a 4.01 % increase over 1996. That reduction reflects increased revenues of $31,000 provided by cellular antenna leases on City property. A portion of those reserves will be committed to pay for a legal settlement. In the expenditure area, a half-time clerk in the Community Development Department was eliminated; and changes in Police staff required one less Police Officer position than originally thought. Truth in Taxation Hearing Report 96-257 A