08-29-2022 Special Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

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of ,. Special Meeting of the Elk River City Council Ver Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, August 29, 2022 Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner Members Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner (online), Human Resources Manager Lauren Wipper, and Records Specialist Katie Porath I . Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council was called to order at 4:31 p.m. by Mayor Dietz. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. 2023 Budget Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report. Council must approve the preliminary tax levy at the September 6, 2022, council meeting. Mayor Dietz proposed a 4% cost of living increase for employees and the 50th%tile compensation plan adjustment for employees. The mayor was in favor of hiring a planning intern but no other personnel requests. He was in favor of moving an additional $250,000 from the Liquor Fund into the General Fund. He proposed using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for financing police and dump truck vehicle purchases as well as a down payment on the fire department ladder truck. Mayor Dietz added he was in favor of adding only two of the three debt service payments onto the levy and leaving the Public Works Facility debt off the levy. Mayor Dietz stated he feels it is an "extraordinary" year for property increases and rising interest rates should help slow things down. Councilmember Westgaard added that new properties will change the tax capacity. There has been a rise in permits for commercial and residential building. Council discussed how to pay for the vehicles the fire department will need over the next few years which amounts to around $3 million. Council directed Ms. Ziemer to ask the bank about the interest rate on equipment certificates as well as research how other cities finance large vehicle purchases.