Minutes - Council - 12/10/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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pleased now than he was a couple of hours ago; however, he added that no one is pleased with a tax increase. Mrs. Helling read a letter from Mrs. Delores Benson of 17735 Erkium Street N.W., Ramsey, which stated she is not in agreement with a property tax increase and also asked what the City is doing to bring more businesses into Ramsey. Mayor Gilbertson stated the latter part of her letter would be addressed in the Council meeting and that the Recording Secretary should send a copy of the minutes to Mrs. Benson. Mr. Vlasek, 1159 Andover Boulevard, stated that the County and School District used, as an example, homes valued at $150,000 and the taxes went down. He inquired if the City had used $150,000, would it show a decrease in taxes also. Mrs. Helling replied that the distribution would have gone down. Sandra Andrews, 6841 - 173rd Avenue N.W., Ramsey - with regard to capital outlay - asked if the City is proposing to buy new equipment. Mr. Schroeder stated that the City is planning to purchase one new police car, a couple of tracks for the Public Works Department, some office equipment and to place $270,000 in the equipment replacement fund and also allocate $25,000 for election equipment. Ms. Andrews asked if the City pays for five to ten years on newly purchased equipment. Mr. Schroeder stated that usually cities pay cash. The difference now will be that the City will pay for the vehicle and also put an additional 10% of that amount into the replacement fund. Mrs. Helling stated that Case #1: Public Hearing on Final 1992 General Fund Budget and Payable 1992 Municipal Tax Levy should be summarized at this time. She stated that during regular budget meetings and workshop sessions, the Budget Committee reviewed 1992 revenue forecasts and expenditure requests. The expenditure requests exceeded revenues by $518,181. She stated that Department Heads, the Finance Officer and the City Administrator then revisited all requests and brought back proposed recommendations for balancing the budget to the Budget Committee. These recommendations were reviewed and modifications were made at the Budget Committee meeting held December 5, 1991. The Committee is recommending certain requests for new funding or changes in 1992 be specifically reviewed at the hearing. She stated that if Council feels something cut should be restored, dollars will need to be found to fund these items. Following is a list of requests and the recommendations of the Budget Committee: 1) Ramsey Resident - request - 12 issues - recommendation - six issues - savings of $6,000. 2) Trailblazer Program - request - 10 Trailblazers - recommendation - not funded - savings of $4,068. 3) D.A.R.E. Program - request - 205 students - recommendation - 205 fifth grade students - materials, shift cover @ $4,555. 4) Community Education: Elk River School District - request $3,500 - recommendation - $3,500 (estimated). 5) Ramsey Volunteer Firefighters - request- donation to Relief Association $10,000 - recommended - 0 -, disability insurance request - $755 - recommendation - $755 - North Suburban Mutual Aid - request - $1,000 - recommendation - up to $1,000 depending upon additional information received. 6) Audit cost for Relief Association - request - $1,500 - recommendation - $1,500. 7) Replace Police vehicles - request - two 1990 squads - recommendation - one squad only. 8) Replace Public Works vehicles - request 1982 4 x 4 - recommendation - not funded - request 1967 Ford tractor - recommendation - not funded. Mrs. Helling stated that there are more items but these are the most significant expenditure requests either not granted, modified or new to the City's budget. In addition, no new positions have been funded in the 1992 budget. Public Hearing/City Council/December 10, 1991 Page 2 of 4