Minutes - Council - 12/10/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Citizen Input Jim Bendtsen, 14131 Junkite Street NW, asked whether the information presented addresses a franchise fee of $192 per year. Finance Director Lund answered it does not, it only addresses the 2014 levy and budget. Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma, to close the public hearing. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Kuzma, Backous, Johns, Riley, and Tossey. Voting No: None. The public hearing was closed at 7:55 p.m. Council Business Mayor Strommen called the regular City Council meeting back to order at 7:55 p.m. The Council noted that at tonight's Work Session, it had reviewed the $159,000 in cuts to maintain the 2013 rate. Councilmember LeTourneau commented on this appreciation for the budget process, which has been underway for almost an entire year, and support of the process and budget as finalized. Councilmember Tossey stated why he did not support the 2014 budget, noting it results in an increase in spending . in every category of government and he supports making additional cuts beyond the $150,000 cuts that were easily found in the past two weeks. Councilmember Tossey stated the City received an additional $800,000 from decertification of TIF District #2 yet the budget reflects no cuts. Councilmember Riley noted the debt on the Municipal Center was refinanced and that debt takes up most of the tax capacity from TIF District #2. He stated the Council's goal was a steady tax, and that is what the Council accomplishes with the 2014 budget. Finance Director Lund confirmed that when the Municipal Center was originally financed in 2004/2005, it was structured around TIF District #2 coming back on line. Councilmember Backous stated the City's roads need to be fixed and he found assessments to be as much a "shadow tax" as franchise fees. He noted with assessments there is not much warning, it is not in the general levy, and results in a large bill for residents. Motion by Councilmember Kuzma, seconded by CouncilmemberJohns, to Adopt Resolution #13 -12 -227 Adopting the 2014 General Fund Budget in the amount of $9,750,135. City Council / December 10, 2013 Page 7 of 14