5.4. SR 06-07-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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23,945. Population at full build out is estimated to be 40,000. Urban services are available to about one- third of the land area in the City. The City of Elk River operates under a statutory form of government consisting of a four member City Council and a Mayor who is also a voting member. Council members are elected by ward to a four-year term with two Council seats up for election each even year. The Mayor is also elected to a four-year term. The City Council is responsible for adopting the City's budget and tax levy, passing resolutions and ordinances, all hiring and firing decisions, policy making, development and growth planning, and overall direction of the City. In addition to providing general government services, the City of Elk River provides a full range of other services including police and fire protection, building and other safety inspections, planning and zoning, economic development, environmental services, parks and recreation, library, street, snow removal, infrastructure maintenance and repair, and others. The City provides municipal water, sewer, garbage, and electric services and operates two off-sale liquor stores. The annual budget serves as the foundation for the City of Elk River's financial planning and control. Budget requests are submitted by all departments to the Finance Department each May. The Finance Department compiles these requests into a proposed budget. The Finance Department and City Administrator review the information and present a draft budget to the Council in August for consideration. Following Council discussion and public input, the final tax levy and budget are approved in December. The City's Financial Management Plan allows department heads to make administrative budget amendments (excluding personal service and capital outlay) throughout the year as long as the total department budget does not change and the amendment is approved by the City Administrator and Finance Director. The Council approves additional budget amendments in December of each year. Budget to actual comparisons are provided in this report for each individual governmental fund for which an appropriated annual budget has been adopted. For the general fund this comparison is presented on page 27 as part of the basic financial statements for the governmental funds. For other governmental funds with appropriated annual budgets this comparison is presented in the governmental fund subsection of this report. Local economy The local- economy has slowed as evidenced by a decrease in building permits with a construction value of $10,460,008 being issued in 2009. This is a 33 percent decrease from 2008. New commercial, industrial, and institutional building accounted for $1,650,863 of new value, and an additional $5,417,836 in additions and remodeling and $3,391,309 in residential construction make up the balance. The number of housing units added declined from 25 in 2008 to 20 in 2009. The average value of new homes increased to $187,297. Single family homes accounted for 16 of the new housing units compared to 25 built in 2008. In 2009 new commercial/industrial construction was limited due to economic conditions. Projects of note included, the Goodwill store relocated to a new building in Elk Ridge Center development, Gradient Technology completed construction of an expansion to its research & development facility in Elk River Business Park, and construction of the Northstar Commuter Rail Station. Despite national trends, employment in Elk River's largest employers remained fairly stable. Only one company reported over 50 layoffs (RRT -June 2009). The City continued the 1715Y Avenue Focused Area Study of the redevelopment and development opportunities surrounding the Northstar Depot and the City-owned Gateway Business Park. The Gateway Business Park is located adjacent to the Northstar Commuter Rail Station. The commuter trains began service in November 2009. Elk River's station has one of the largest ridership numbers along the '~ u ii fl 0 0 J ii 1