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Mayor Ramsey stated that with regard to the budget for next year — the concern was previously <br /> we did not want to levy any more money than what was levied last year. The trouble we will run <br /> into with the new way things are calculated, it will look like we raised taxes. <br /> Finance Officer Lund responded that the direction was to keep taxes the same. With two school <br /> districts, it will be a little more difficult. If the direction is that Council would like to see the <br /> levy kept the same — the reduction is $32,000. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated we need to be at least there. <br /> Councilmember Strommen stated she agrees with that goal but we also should have that entered <br /> as part of the conversation. The dollars we invest in the streets and neighborhoods — that's a <br /> value to residents too. $50 to $100 is worth it. There are two sides to this — one is to keep the <br /> levy the same and the other is we need to invest in our City. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated that we need to keep the streets up but we do not want to have foreclosures <br /> either. Will $50 to $100 cause foreclosures — he thought it could. <br /> Councilmember Strommen reiterated it's about investment into our community. <br /> Councilmember Tossey expressed concern about declining home values and added he does not <br /> want to raise the levy. <br /> Councilmember Elvig commented that we are trying to add in The Draw for example — but then <br /> we are trying to cut other things. We will have several million dollars coming on with street <br /> reconstruction — there will be a lot of complexities in the next couple of years. <br /> Councilmember McGlone stated that in the good years, we built up fund balances for one time <br /> money for bad times. Everything we build costs money. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated he would be interested in losing that $30,000 and keeping it the same. <br /> Councilmember Strommen asked what we are giving up to lower it that $30,000 — and is it worth <br /> it. When is what we are giving up not worth it. She views it as a range. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated he wants to be able to say he did not raise taxes. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich stated he is confident we can come back with a budget to reduce that <br /> $30,000, without significant impacts. We will work on that and bring it back to the City Council <br /> and have the levy slightly lower than last years. <br /> Ms. Lund reported in 2008 it was $10 million, in 09 it was $9,978 million, in 2010 it was $9,639 <br /> million, in 2011 it was $9,449 million and in 2012 the proposed amount is $9,689 million and <br /> having TIF 1 come back to help absorb that. We have been decreasing for the last five years. <br /> City Council Work Session / November 1, 2011 <br /> Page 8 of 10 <br />