Comp Plan 1981-1983 FILE #3 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

10- o Figure 8 shows that the net debt is projected to remain within the net debt legal limit of 6-2/3 percent of assessed valuation. All of the city's current debt is payable from nontax sources (presumably from special assessments). It would be informative to the city council and to the citizens to show debt service cash on hand plus annual debt service revenues to equate with the annual debt service payments shown in Figures 7 and 7a. Any net shortage of revenues must be covered by a tax levy. Assuming that levies are collected as necesary and accurately applied, there is no possibility of a deficit because such levies are authorized in excess of any limitation (full faith and credit). If tax receipts ad special assessment collections are delinquent, there could be problems in having funds on hand when needed. There is no evidence in the city's comprehensive plan that it currently is in financial difficulty. However, to maintain the current service levels in the future with the current financial base may not be possible without incurring operting deficits. Such operating deficits could only be relieved by increased local revenues which may or may not be possible, largely depending on future actions of the legislature. Therefore, it would seem more practical for the city council to take some action to concentrate the development of the city to control the growth in costs. To further examine its debt carrying ability, the city may wish to review the relationship between its debt service revenues and needs. Environmental Protection (Carl Schenk) The plan contains a thorough collection of narrative descrip- tions, inventories, maps and policies for management of the city's sensitive environmental features. Addressed are: natural watercourses, lakes, wetlands, floodplains, slopes, soils, woodlands and historic sites. These plan elements are part of a management system designed to reduce conflicts between environmental, economic and social concerns. In addition to the land use management element, the city has prepared a comprehensive stormwater management plan. The drainage plan, encompassing the Mississippi River and Rum River drainage basins, covers the entire urban and transitorial service areas of the city. The plan describes natural drainage features and defines runoff increase to be anticipated from "the complete transition of land from its existing predominant agricultural use to urban development." An implementation program is also described in the plan in sufficient detail. Descriptions of zoning, subdivision and citywide environmental protection ordinances are described, and the city's environmental review permit procedures are identi- fied. Procedural and performance standards in the subdivision ordinance are also noted. The Metropolitan Council previously reviewed the Ramsey Critical Area Plan and Regulations. The Council recommended that modified