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posted to the website. Finance Officer Lund asked if the City Council is comfortable with the <br /> budget and levy as presented. <br /> Councilmember Elvig stated he is not sure the intent was to offset the tax increase with TIF <br /> decertification. <br /> Finance Officer Lund indicated the budget is increasing but it includes a fire truck at $300,000 <br /> and funding from the Capital Equipment Fund so it is not a true statement that it is offset by just <br /> TIF 1 decertification. <br /> Acting Mayor Wise suggested staff make a statement at the beginning of the presentation that the <br /> City Council's goal was for homeowners as a whole to not have an increase in tax dollars. <br /> Councilmember Strommen stated staff needs to be clear whether they are talking about the <br /> budget or the levy so property owners are not confused. She indicated she would provide staff <br /> with suggestions on rewording the press release. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich stated the Council's goal and objective was to keep the taxes the same <br /> as previous years and it would be good to make that statement up front. <br /> The City Council indicated support for the 2012 levy and general fund presentation with <br /> adjustments as discussed. <br /> 2) Review Legislative Redistricting Timeline and Impacts to City's Ward and Precinct <br /> Boundaries <br /> Deputy City Administrator Nelson reviewed the staff report. <br /> Senior Planner Gladhill reported on the Anoka County meeting he attended. He displayed a map <br /> of ward precincts and described the options being considered to attain a balanced +10% <br /> variation. <br /> Councilmember Strommen asked if the plan is to focus and equalize Wards 1 and 2, or a broader <br /> revision. <br /> Senior Planner Gladhill explained the State legislative proposal is to change some boundary lines <br /> which may impact the City's polling locations. He indicated staff supported minimum disruption <br /> to the Ward boundaries. However, staff can take a broader look beyond Wards 1 and 2, if that is <br /> the desire of the City Council. <br /> Acting Mayor Wise suggested staff also consider housing projects proposed and under <br /> construction when considering adjustment to the ward boundaries. <br /> Senior Planner Gladhill stated that is a good point and noted the census was based on occupied <br /> units today but there are some developments like Brookview and Sweet Bay Ridge that will be <br /> occupied in the future and may impact population so staff should forecast growth. He reviewed <br /> City Council Work Session / December 6, 2011 <br /> Page 3 of 12 <br />