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<br />City Council Minutes <br />September 8, 2003 <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />----------------------------- <br /> <br />5.5. Discuss 2004 Budg;et and Tax Levy Resolutions <br /> <br />City Administrator Pat I<laers reviewed the key points from the August 25 meeting which <br />included: consensus to move fo!\Vard with the ice arena barn floor replacement project; <br />consensus to move forward with the flre truck purchase and to look at doing this purchase <br />over a two-year period; to include four additional positions in the 2004 budget; to provide <br />for "typical" wage adjustments; to have staff evaluate the city pay plan both internally and in <br />relationship to similar communities; to include in the tax levy 60% of the LGA cuts; and to <br />include as a special tax levy (outside of the levy limits) partial payment for the city pavement <br />rehabilitation program. It was noted that the budget gap is $145,500. <br /> <br />Mr. Klaers distributed information received from the County Auditor that estimates the <br />city's net tax capacity growth at 120/0. Mr. Klaers stated that if this estimate remains the same <br />and the City Council levies the amount as proposed, then the city's tax rate will go down. <br /> <br />Councihnember Dietz stated that he is in favor of using a portion of the host fees to balance <br />the budget and to look at possibly hiring a Park and Recreation Director sometime in 2004. <br />He noted that he is also in favor of trying to hire an IT/Cable TV job share employee. <br /> <br />Councihnember Motio stated that he in not in favor of using the host fees to balance the <br />budget or for new programs or positions. He stated that if it is necessary to use the host <br />fees, he would like to see them used for reserves or for capital improvements. <br /> <br />Mayor Klinzing stated that if the host fee money is going to be used, she would like to see it <br />go into special projects such as the Th1CA, arena improvements, or street projects. <br /> <br />Councihnember Kuester stated that she would like to see the host fee money used for <br />special projects but that it may be necessary to use it for such things as building <br />improvements or additional personnel positions. She stated that a Park and Recreation <br />Director would be an investment to the community and now may be the time to look at <br />hiring for that position. <br /> <br />Mr. I(laers stated that he hopes to balance the budget without having to use reserves or <br />liquor store funds. However, if it is necessary to use these sources to balance the budget, it <br />should be taken into account that these monies be treated as one-time transfers and they <br />should be planned to be replaced with tax revenue next year. <br /> <br />COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 03-54 <br />AUTHORIZING THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR <br />COLLECTION IN 2004. COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER SECONDED THE <br />MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. <br /> <br />COUNCILMEMBER KUESTER MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 03-55 <br />APPROVING THE 2004 TAX LEVY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br />PURPOSES FOR THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br />AUTHORITY. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. <br />THE MOTION CARRIED 4-0. <br /> <br />COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 03-56 <br />APPROVING THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 2004 <br />TAX LEVY. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE <br />MOTION CARRIED 4-0. <br /> <br />I <br />L~ <br />