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Mr. Jankowski stated that as long as there is $20,000 to get going on the southeast <br />quadrant, he's happy. <br /> <br />Ms. McAloney stated she would prefer lowering priority on the newsletter. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder asked if there are any other comments regarding the budget at this time. <br /> <br />Ms. McAloney asked what the 4.5% means. If we do not want to increase more, will there <br />be additional cuts. <br /> <br />Ms. Hart explained that we are $43,000 in the hole if we do not want to increase the taxes <br />by 4.5%. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated that we have one Councilmember who says get the levy up as far as <br />we can. Get it up so we can afford to do some of the things we are not doing now. The <br />other four Councilmembers have not given me any information. I feel 4.5% is reasonable - <br />it is not gouging the tax payer. The City of Anoka has said they are not increasing taxes <br />but they have a levy reduction of $300,000 due to the transfer of the library to the County. <br />I will bet in 1996 they will have a significant tax increase. Andover is increasing the taxes <br />in the 7 to 10% range. I do not know about any of the other cities; it doesn't matter to me. <br /> <br />Mr. Auspos stated that a 4.5% increase in the previous levy, you may find that because of <br />growth, there is no tax increase to the residents. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroedcr stated we arc recognizing an increase in value. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued about the dollar mount certain tax levies mean. <br /> <br />Mr. Mevissen suggested going for 10%. <br /> <br />Mr. Gromberg suggested 4.5%. <br /> <br />Mr. Jankowsld asked where do we want to be in five years. Maybe 10% is a shock figure <br />but how long can you stay 30% below the average. Maybe we need to spread it out over <br />five years so we can be at the average. <br /> <br />Mr. Gromberg inquired if the average is necessarily good. <br /> <br />Mr. Sankowsld stated that we cannot continue to nm this City on residential activity alone. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated that if we didn't have the building permits, we would be "in a world <br />of hurt". Now, do we say we cannot afford to have any more development but cannot <br />afford to not have the permits. <br /> <br />Mr. Gustafson stated we need to generate potential revenue when the building activity <br />slows down. We are Iow on the tax rank/ng and we are staffed on the low end too. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated there are fewer people here doing the services but there are limits to <br />how far we can stretch it. <br /> <br />Mr. Gustafson stated it's time to stand up and be counted. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated we can't keep too low but we cannot be spend thrifts either. <br /> <br />Mr. Auspos stated it's evident we are producing more with fewer people but we have to <br />stand up and say we need more money. If we need more staff, we need to stand up. Ten <br />percent is not a gigantic leap - 4.5% will not do it. <br /> <br />Staff Budget Meeting/August 22, 1994 <br /> Page 4 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />