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Mr. Olson stated that the time gained by the Engineering folks is used up helping with parks <br />maintenance. <br />Councilmember Wise asked about civic groups that could help out. <br />Mr. Olson stated that volunteers are great but not the overall answer. <br />Discussion ensued relating to park upkeep -what is used for weed control, etc. <br />Discussion reverted back to taxes. Councilmember Elvig talked about foreclosures on <br />commercial properties -the banks stall -they do not pay taxes -the property owner is not <br />paying taxes. <br />Ms. Lund offered some insight on what happens - how the taxes are paid and if they are. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated that when a property doesn't pay its own taxes - that's a silent <br />tax increase as everyone who pays taxes in the City are making up the difference. Ramsey has <br />4% of its property as tax exempt. Perhaps it's time to take a serious look at these properties to <br />get them off the books. Someone would be paying taxes again. <br />Finance Officer Lund stated this is just to give Council a broad overview - if you hold taxes <br />constant, you would be looking at Ievying the same as last year - 0% market value increase. <br />Councilmember Look stated we need to look at what we want to do with the $605,000. He felt <br />there is enough of a storm cloud brewing so that you will need to keep the money in there. He <br />stated he would have an "appetite" for 39% -and to look at cutting $200,000 in the budget. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he is on a similar page -past Councils tried to build up funds for <br />storm sewer funds and lighting, etc. - to burn all that is a real hazard when we worked so hard to <br />build them up. We need to seriously look at the level of service we are providing. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated that past Councils did do things for storm water funds, etc. but <br />they did absolutely nothing with the roadways. He stated he is not in favor of raising the tax <br />percentage even apenny - he is for digging deeper to see what can be cut or done differently. <br />He stated he is for sticking to what we currently have. He added if that makes it so it takes three <br />minutes longer to answer a fire call -then it will have to be. <br />Mayor Ramsey asked to go on record as saying he is not in favor of any cuts that would increase <br />the time to get to a fire call. <br />Councilmember Elvig agreed with Mayor Ramsey -the main reason City Hall is here is for <br />public safety. <br />Councilmember Wise stated this would be a tax increase. Haue it explained as the same money <br />spent as last year. We do need to look at changing expectations. He felt the majority of the <br />citizens will understand that. Show them some options -the Cadillac version with a tax increase <br />City Council Work Session -June 29, 2010 <br />Page 5 of 10 <br />