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residents getting for their tax dollars — then it's easier to make a decision. We will have to make <br />some tough decisions but she wants to see a benchmark. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated we make decisions on the level of staffing. We have been providing a <br />good level of service for many years and we have to cut some. Where do we go — how low do <br />you cut and continue with the same level of service. We do not know where the bottom is. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated that if it is possible, he does not want to increase taxes. He is <br />willing to look at Council's strategic goals to see if we need to cut back somewhere instead. See <br />what we have in dollars and work from there. <br />Councilmember Elvig referenced the statement — where the bottom is. That's a very valid point. <br />In organizations it may take six months to a year — or two years to see impacts of changes. <br />When you push it too far, you do not allow backfill. If we push that too far, we will have to <br />catch up at some time. Access dollars that were spent — opportunities are immeasurable — we <br />have raised millions of dollars. It took a lot of extra money and we invested in the community. <br />Your point is very valid — we have to be very tempered with how much value we are getting — it <br />will take a while to settle. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated we have professional staff and all I want to know is what it will take to <br />provide the same level of service they are currently providing. Come up with a plan for the same <br />level of service. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that activity drives a level of service. He noted that <br />Councilmember Wise was commenting about his concerns of service he received from the City <br />of Dayton. The City of Ramsey has a reputation of always providing a good level of service. <br />We are pushing it right now with the staff level and we have to know what is acceptable. It's <br />hard to measure what the level of activity is. <br />Discussion ensued about whether the level of service has changed and snowplowing was used as <br />an example. <br />Councilmember Strommen asked what the benchmark is — what can people expect. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated people can expect for him to never vote for a tax increase. They cannot <br />afford it — we need to figure out how we can keep this level of service without increasing taxes. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated maybe there are some issues out there where we are not offering <br />the level of service we could. Maybe we need to keep the percentage at a certain level and be <br />able to bond. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated we need to have a 20 percent assessment to be able to bond <br />across the board. <br />Finance Director Lund stated it's for whatever the projects are that year. <br />City Council Work Session / May 29, 2012 <br />Page 10 of 12 <br />