Ramsey Resident - 2015 - September/October

Home

City AdministratorÔs Corner As part of its regular operation, the City contin- ues to look at alternative funding sources as a way to is may take the form of joint powers By Kurt Ulrich, City Administrator agreements with neighboring communities, partner- ships with private companies, or federal, state, or rmed the regional grant funding. organizational working mission for the next three years, e main outcomes we use to measure success- which is: to work together to responsibly grow our com- nancial stability as a City include; maintaining a cient stable tax levy rate, maintaining the highly rated AA+ bond rating, and success in attracting quality econom- e four cornerstones of the Citys mission are to ic development. achieve these four major goals: nancial stability for Ramsey states Financial Stability that, as a community, we will strive to, ensure strate- A Connected Community gic economic development that complements the Citys Smart, Citizen-focused Government desired quality of life and builds a stable tax base, while ective Organization maintaining a low tax levy. is edition of the will City Administrators Corner ort, the City has committed to nancial stability in more detail. improving its budget preparation to identify opera- nancial stability is important for any organiza- ciencies and cost-savings. Each area of the tion and a topic that potentially impacts every member budget looks at long-term trends, multi-year budget of the community. For example, the upcoming annual projections of revenues and expenditures, tax impacts, budget for 2016 will determine what services are priori- service level goals, and performance outcomes. If you ties for funding in 2016, which services are not, and it nding out more about the Citys will determine City tax levies for every property. Longer nancial planning, or economic develop- term expenditures such as the street reconstruction pro- orts, please check out our web site at www. gram, and the purchase of capital equipment need to be cityoframsey.com. anticipated well in advance, so that future expenditure levels can be predicted and balanced of the years. Carton Recycling nancial controls are excel- lent. We recently received recognition by the Gov- cers Association for 20 years of Did you know that nancial reporting. In addition, the City you can recycle aseptic rmed, giving third-party packaging through the validation to the fact that the City has sound manage- curbside recycling pro- nancial health. gram? Aseptic packaging, Increased economic growth and development is more commonly referred e to as cartons, include items like milk and juice car- sale of land for development and the construction of ese new business and industry means that the City is gain- items can be placed in your recycling cart along with ing additional tax-base, jobs, and services that make for e more material e City is constantly working ll space is saved, as well as less to retain existing businesses and to attract new ones. To consumption of energy and water (takes less energy that end, the City is exploring the designation of a new and water to recycle a material into new material than business park, with private land owners, to ensure that it does to process raw/virgin materials.) If you have the City maintains a healthy mix of both residential and questions about Ramseys recycling program, please commercial development. For the same reason, invest- contact City Planner Chris Anderson at 763-433- ments in infrastructure, such as the Armstrong inter- 9817 or canderson@cityoframsey.com. If you have a change project along Highway 10, also continues to be a c item is recyclable, high priority. contact ACE Solid Waste at 763-427-3110. 4 Ramsey Resident ¤ September/October 2015