Agenda - Council - 09/22/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Debt Service Levy - Approximately $240,000 of levy increase. $103,144 of this levy is attributed to funding the Garnet Street & Overlay projects. These were the first road projects that were undertaken as part of the long-term road reconstruction plan. $109,213 of this levy is attributed to the construction of the new fire station #2 that is currently under construction to replace the current fire station #2. . As noted, the EDA levy is included in the overall levy amount of $10,176,817. While the proposed levy can always be reduced, it cannot be increased without "higher" level approval through an appeals process. As noted, the amount of the levy was determined by the majority of the council at the work session of September 8, 2015. After much discussion, the city council elected to authorize a higher preliminary levy increase at this time with the understanding that all avenues for levy reductions will be perused during the months leading up to final levy adoption in December. The proposed levy must be certified to Anoka County by Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Therefore, the Council must make a decision at tonight's meeting as to the amount of this levy, or schedule a special meeting prior to the 30th. Schedule Budget Public Hearing Date: The Truth -in -Taxation law was changed in 2009. The City is no longer required to hold a special TNT hearing or to publish a notice of the TNT hearing. In lieu of the eliminated formal TNT hearing, the City is required to hold a regularly scheduled meeting at which the budget and levy will be discussed. The City may adopt the budget and levy immediately following. The public meeting must be held between November 25 and December 29 and held after 6:00 P.M. Staff is recommending that the public meeting be held at its regularly scheduled meeting of December 8, 2015, with adoption of the 2016 General Fund Budget and levy to immediately follow. The public meeting date must be certified to Anoka County by Wednesday, September 30, 2015; therefore, the City Council must make a decision as to the date selected for the 2016 payable public meeting at tonight's meeting. Observations/Alternatives: As this is the adoption of a preliminary levy that can be amended (only lowered) no alternatives are being listed. Budget worksessions until final adoption in December will allow for alternations if needed. Funding Source: None required. Recommendation: Based on the recommendation of the City Council at its work session of September 8, 2015, recommend authorization of preliminary levy in the amount of $10,176,817 with the possibility of reduction prior to City Council adoption of the final levy on December 8, 2015 and to schedule the city of Ramsey's budget/levy public meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.