Agenda - Council - 01/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I '1 I ! I CITY COUNCIL - BUDGET PUBLIC HE,adtlNG (TRUTH IN TAXATION) CITY OF RAMSEY ANOKA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA cq The Ramsey City Council conducted the annual Truth in Taxation Budget Public Hearing on Monday, December 4, 2000, at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Boulevard N-W, Ramsey, Minnesota. Members Present: Mayor ;rhomas G. Gamec Councilmember Susan E. Anderson Councihnember Margaret Connolly Councilmember Terry Hendriksen Members Absent: Councilmember Gerald zimmerman Also Present: City Administrator James E. Norman Finance Officer Diana Lund CALL TO ORDER Mayor Gamec called the mmual Truth in Taxation Budget Public Hearing to order at 6:06 p.m. City Administrator Norman explained that this is the annual Truth in Taxation hearing which is an opportunity for taxpayers to come in and discuss the proposed City budget with the City Council. He pointed out the information packet prepared by staff for the Council and the residents, and described the sections entitled The Basic Concepts of City Budgeting, Your Property Tax Dollar, Proposed 2001 Property Taxes, How are Your Property Taxes Determined, Property Classification Rates, Tax Capacity Rates, Tax Capacity Comparison of Metro Area Cities with Populations Between I0,000 and 25,000, Local Government Aid, Homestead and Agricultural Credit Aid Equalization Aid, and Metropolitan Fiscal Disparities Program. He explained the differences in the tax capacity rates for residents living in the Anoka Hennepin School District versus the Elk River School District. Mr. Norman noted that, although there is an "across the board" increase in property taxes in Ramsey, we remain near the bottom (8th from the bottom) in tax capacity rates in sirnilar sized cities. - Finance Ofricer Lund referred to the handout entitled Proposed 2001 General Fund Budget In Brief and stated the City's budget is $5,557,928. She explained revenues and expenditures, noting that the majority of the revenue comes frorn taxes and intergovernmental revenues (grants, LGA and HACA) A large amount of revenue also comes in from the licenses and permits, clmrges for services, and plan check fees. She added that the investment item is being budgeted conservatively. Ms. Lund continued with the expenditures. She pointed out that the City plans to hire several employees in the year 2001, such as another Street Maintenance Worker, Clerk II, Community Service Officer, Patrol Ofricer, Crime Specialist, Fire Code Inspector and a part-time Building Maintenance Worker. She.explained what is included in the budget under General Goverru'nent, Public Safety, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and "Other". Ms. Lurid commented that there are I0 properties affected by the Mississippi Storm Drainage and that there is a difference between the tax for residential and commercial. City Council Budget Public Hearing (T,'uth in Taxation) - December 4. 2000 Page 1 or'5 -35-