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I I I Budget Hearing Minutes December 7, 1995 Page 3 Bud~et HeariIli". continued Bob Hildreth, 1423 - 19th Ave. NW, feels the budget is commendable, but is concern about rapid increases in property valuation. Fulton said the City needs an additional 4 % to continue operations, but valuation increases boosted that percentage. Hildreth said his taxes will increase 12 % due to the valuation changes. Fulton said property owners should contact the Ramsey County Assessors Office regarding valuation concerns. Hildreth asked if other properties have seen valuation increases. Fulton noted that New Brighton had the highest percentage of market valuation increases within the County. Egan said the City will undertake a municipal service study which will provide strategies to determine when it is appropriate to use property taxes to fund the budget. Gunderman said his tax statement showed a 12 % increase. He noted a very informative presentation made by the Ramsey County Assessor's Office regarding the market valuation process. This video has been shown on Cable Channel 16 many times this week. Benke acknowledges that the valuation process is very complex and difficult for many property owners to understand. Benke acknowledged that County staff is trying their best to get accurate reads on properties. Benke noted a study being conducted involving Police and Fire Departments. This visioning process addresses crime and safety issues in New Brighton. Many recommendations received from the 30 focus groups related to prevention efforts which are being addressed through the Crime Watch Program and school liaison position. Council recognizes that property taxes are of concern and the City wants to continue providing quality support and services, but the issue is how to pay for these service. He hopes the service study will provide Council and staff with the best course of action in the long term to focus on the service level to provide in the most eft1cient way. Williams feels the studies will be particularly meaningful due to possible reduced state aid. New Brighton is addressing these issues in anticipation of funding reductions. Samuelson agrees that safety is an important issue and evaluating how to provide these services in the most efficient way is needed. Orv Krause, 1252 - 12th Ave. NW, feels the City is doing a good job in keeping the budget down, but questioned the Park and Recreation 9.15 % increase. He asked if the Family Service Center (FSC) is creating the bulk of this increase. Benke confirmed that the majority of the increase is due to the FSC, Krause thought the FSC should have been self-supporting within one year. Benke said the goal was to have the FSC self- supporting in about 3 years, but changes such as the new senior center program have impacted costs. The objective is to try to make the FSC self-supporting as soon as possible. Krause is in favor of the senior program and congregate dining at the FSC, and asked if the City set aside money trom the previous regional senior center project. Benke said the City has been utilizing interest from reserves to help subsidize programs to keep the levy down. Fulton explained that to accommodate senior needs, the City revised its lease with Northwest Youth and Family Services (NWYFS). In effect, the new NWYFS lease decreased revenues from $16,000 to $6,000. The budget provides about $15,000 for congregate dining. One positive thing is that community groups are utilizing the meeting rooms, however, the City does not charge these groups. Also, additional memberships have been purchased which should provide more revenue. Krause said people were led to believe the FSC would be self-supporting. Benke feels the service study will analyze where changes need to be made, and Council understands the issues raised by Krause and will address these concerns. Public Heari11i Truth in Taxation Report 95-229