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1998 ANNUAL REPORT <br /> <br /> Each year this report to the citizens of Ramsey highlights the major activities that occurred <br />during the year just completed. The City continues to grow and federal and state aids continue to <br />decline. Despite the disparity, elected officials and staff members work to provide stable or <br />improved levels of City services. <br /> <br />Population <br /> <br /> Ramsey's population has increased from 12,408 (3,641 households) in the 1990 census to <br />an estimated 1998 population of 18,600 persons in 5,639 households. By the end of the decade <br />the population is expected to be about 19,000. <br /> <br />Taxes <br /> <br /> Financial aid from other levels of government has been stable or shrinking throughout the <br />1990s. In 1990, intergovernmental aid amounted to 50% of the City's total revenues. In 1998, it <br />is estimated to amount to 27% of City revenues. In order to replace the disapPearing <br />intergovernmental aid, the City has had to increase local property taxes as well as charges and <br />fees for City-sponsored activities. <br /> Even though a larger percentage of City revenue comes from local taxes, tax rates in <br />Ramsey have not increased proportionately. This is because there are more property owners <br />paying taxes and the market value of property in the community has increased. For example, the <br />residential tax base in Ramsey increased 106% between 1990 and 1996. <br /> The City tax rate did not change from 1996 to 1997. The 1998 tax rate will be 4.5% higher <br />than the 1997 rate. <br /> For several years Ramsey's tax rates have been among the lowest in the North Metro area. <br /> <br />Community Development <br /> <br /> Through December, 1998, the City issued 262 permits for new homes, down slightly from <br />the 1997 total of 211. The total number of permits issued in 1998 (including swimming pools, <br />accessory structures, decks, additions, commercial buildings, etc. was 1,945, an increase of 449 <br />permit over 1997. <br /> The value of permits issued annually since 1991 has been: <br /> <br />1991:$15,212,850 <br />1992:$27,083,600 <br />1993:$39,042,750 <br />1994:$26,416,609 <br />1995:$28,318,900 <br />1996:$41,201,300 <br />1997:$26,526,500 <br />1998:$35,212,900 <br /> <br /> <br />