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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />October 9. 1989 <br /> <br />" <br /> <br />Cliff Lundberg indicated that if cuts have to be made in the budget. it <br />seems that it would be most appropriate to make the cuts in the largest <br />portion of the budget which is the Police Department. He indicated that <br />the Police Department had a very large budget and was not sure whether <br />this was warranted. <br /> <br />Jim Dalquist of 10825 208th Avenue. indicated that he was in favor of <br />trimming the 9% deficit. He stated that his personal taxes have <br />increased about 25% over the last year and feels that any further tax <br />increase put on by the City would be a further burden to the tax payers. <br /> <br />Mayor Tralle stated that as the <br />will be stretched to the maximum. <br />keep the budget as low as possible <br />the residents of Elk River. <br /> <br />City becomes larger. the City systems <br />He stated that the City is trying to <br />and still give the services needed to <br /> <br />Mr. Carl Miller of 708 Auburn Place. stated that the City has a $32.000 <br />deficit and the School District has a $600.000 to $700.000 deficit. He <br />indicated that his taxes have increased due to the School District <br />referendum which was recently passed. He futher stated that he is a <br />Senior Citizen living on a fixed income and he does not get a raise every <br />year and that the tax increases are hurting him. He indicated that he <br />would like to see something done which would give the Senior Citizens a <br />break in their rising tax costs. He further stated that he does not feel <br />he receives any services for his tax dollars. <br /> <br />Mr. Don Hovre of 10933 200th Circle. stated he had a concern regarding <br />the taxes being increased. He stated that he does not like to see the <br />taxes continue to rise. He questioned what he would be receiving for his <br />tax dollars. He questioned whether the City would be implementing a <br />recycling program for the residents. Mr. Hovre questioned why the park <br />budget has increased so dramatically and. further. why the roads within <br />the City are not being taken care of on a regular basis. Councilmember <br />Kropuenske commented on the limited amount of staff in the Street <br />Department and Park Department. He stated that the Street Department and <br />Park Department are one department and that with the small number of <br />employees in that department. he is very impressed with the amount of <br />work accomplished. Mayor Tralle stated that the City is proposing a five <br />year sealcoating program which would help maintain the roads within the <br />City. <br /> <br />Mr. Greg Johnson of 11880 Highland commented on the City's high taxes. <br />He indicated that the City of Elk River is one of the five highest taxed <br />cities within the State of Minnesota. He indicated that he has <br />information backing this comment up from the Metropolitan Council. the <br />Minnesota League of Taxes and the Minnesota Department of Education. He <br />stated that the average tax for an $80.000 home is $747 throughout the <br />metropolitan area and indicated that his home. which is valued at a <br />little over $80.000 was taxed at $2.280.00 minus the $700 homestead. He <br />further stated that the average home in Elk River pays $1.210 in property <br />taxes. Mr. Johnson indicated that for the amount of taxes he pays. he <br />receives no city sewer. water. storm sewer. sidewalks. street lights. <br />etc. and that this is the main reason he is voting against the increase <br />in the taxes. <br /> <br />4. <br />