Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/18/2008

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Police Chief Way stated that he is hoping that the City will get some revenues coming back to the City to offset some of the abatement costs in 2009. . Councilmember Olson asked if the abatements were leveling off. Police Chief Way stated that the last few weeks have actually gotten busier. He stated that the Civil Defense budget. will increase because a Coon Rapids captain has been overseeing records management as well as the 800-megahertz system and the City hasn't paid anything for this service. He stated that the County will now pick up about half of his salary and the additional cities will split the cost of the other half. He stated that Ramsey will pay about 6% of half of this salary, but noted that the City has gotten a great deal for many years. He stated that the City continues to replace 3 squad cars a year which has been working very well for the City. He stated that the City had checked into Hybrid vehicles, however, they do not have a police package, and the normal vehicles couldn't handle the equipment necessary for a squad car. City Administrator Ulrich stated that Hybrid vehicles would be an excellent option for the City fleet vehicles. Police Chief Way stated that the City pays about $10,000 to the City of Anoka for animal control services, but most of this money is recouped by billing people. He stated that the City doesn't get the money back if the dogs don't have tags and end up being euthanized, which costs $250 per time. Finance Officer Lund stated that she wanted to review the proposed levy amount for 2009. She stated that to keep the levy amount at 39.2546%, the City would need to cut $110,435 plus eliminate the equipment cost of $139,833. She stated that she thinks she can find about $35,000 in line items cuts. Mayor Gamec asked how that would affect the City the following year, since most cities seem to be levying the maximum amount. He stated that he feels the City would be better off going with the 40.0776% levy amount. Councilmember Strommen stated that she worries about what next year's valuation will be from the County. She stated that she feels the City is better off taking the financial hitin pieces. Councilmember Look stated that he thinks the City should make tough cuts this year to get used to the fact that the City will need to make tough cuts next year. Mayor Gamec stated that he didn't think the City can cut anything that would make that big of a difference. Councilmember Look. stated that he feels the City has been buying things, like the Bury Carlson property, when it shouldn't have and now the City faces the reality of finding a way to pay for it. He stated that he feels the reality is that the City is going to need to make cuts that it doesn't want to make. He stated that he also doesn't think that increasing the taxes to people will help the foreclosure rates in the community. He stated that he sees $393,375.00 included for the EDA City Council Work Session / Monday, August 18, 2008 Page 10 of 12