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the balanced budget by $33,000. The budget numbers are balanced and the higher <br />numbers are greater than balanced. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson stated that to get to a balanced budget, we have had to delay and <br />post pone projects and ask people to do more with less. <br /> <br />Ed Daeger, 16451 Dysprosium Street N.W., Ramsey, stated "these numbers do not mean a <br />lot to me". "These numbers (referring to tax statement) do mean something to me". He <br />stated he built his home 17 years ago. His tax statement says the taxes are increasing 14.4 <br />percent. <br /> <br />Ms. Hart told Mr. Daeger that he is experiencing a value increase. <br /> <br />Mr. Daeger inquired how a tax assessor determines market value. <br /> <br />Mr. Thurston explained the process. <br /> <br />Mr. Daeger inquired if Mr. Thurston had forms and records available to which Mr. <br />Thurston replied he did. <br /> <br />Jim Connolly, 16235 Kamacite Street N.W., Ramsey, felt that HUD and VA homes <br />should be included in the sales market for assessing values because the only direction it <br />goes is up, the lower valued homes are not taken into consideration. <br /> <br />Mr. Thurston stated that the HUD and VA homes are not used in the comparison but there <br />are some lower sales. He added that the assessor does not hand pick the sales. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson mentioned that market value is discussed at the Board of Review <br />meeting scheduled in the spring. <br /> <br />Mr. Thurston informed the residents that the assessor's office will come out any time of the <br />year to re-evaluate the person's home - nothing is carved in stone - it can be amended. <br /> <br />Chester Plass, 9430 - 181st Avenue N.W., Ramsey, (with regard to services) stated that he <br />has not seen a police officer go by his house in two solid months. He added that he has a <br />problem with snowmobilers also. <br /> <br />Mrs. Plass, 9430 - 181st Avenue N.W., Ramsey, stated that if you want things, you have <br />to pay for them. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson stated that a local snowmobile dealer donated a snowmobile to the <br />Ramsey Police Department to assist in catching violators and a local snowmobile club <br />offered classes on proper snowmobiling. <br /> <br />Mr. Connolly inquired if the City funded the Police Department with extra hours so they <br />could be out policing the snowmobilers to which Mr. Schroeder replied yes. <br /> <br />Jeff Martin, 15159 Zuni Street N.W., Ramsey, inquired what percentage of salary increase <br />Council is contemplating City Staff. He added that we try to make the City invite-able but <br />the more people who come, the more expensive it is to live here. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder, in answer to the question about salary increases, explained that there are <br />two unions represented and one group of non-union employees. One union has a settled <br />contract and the increase for the year is about 4 percent. The Police unit only had a one <br />year wage contract. The exempt employees generally follow settlements of the average of <br />the unionized employees. He added that the problem with new housing construction is <br />your costs start being incurred sometimes up to three years before the tax revenues occur. <br />In essence, we are spending money today and will not receive money back until 1996 or <br />City Council/Budget Public Hearing/November 30, 1994 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />