Minutes - Council - 11/30/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Schroeder stated that in 1989 and 1990, the City's budget was at an artificially low number - it makes things look exponential. He explained that Ramsey is among the lowest of the cities in staffing levels, dollars spent for staff, total dollars per capita expenditures and total budget itself. Mr. Meyer stated that he is close to retirement age and if taxes continue to increase at this rate, he will not be able to afford to live in this county. Councilmember Peterson stated to Mr. Meyer that when he was younger and had a young family, he had a lot more needs than he does now - parks, etc. He explained the needs of the young families moving into Ramsey and stated he feels the 5 percent increase is "in the ball park". Jim Prody, 14770 Fluorine Street N.W., Ramsey, noted page 11 in the informational packet Staff disseminated and questioned how the area-wide increase could be 5 percent and the City of Ramsey's increase be approximately 6.9 percent. Ms. Hart stated it is because of the make up of various areas in the taxes. The top figures are the maximum levy but what's budgeted for the City's share is 3.93 percent. Council will adopt the level they feel will service the City's needs. The top equates to what the truth in taxation notices were sent out at. She added that most people are showing a valuation increase also. Councilmember Hardin stated that the numbers in the lower part of that page are based on the balanced budget Staff brought to City Council. The numbers on the top would exceed the balanced budget by $33,000. The budget numbers are balanced and the higher numbers are greater than balanced. Councilmember Peterson stated that to get to a balanced budget, we have had to delay and post pone projects and ask people to do more with less. Ed Daeger, 16451 Dysprosium Street N.W., Ramsey, stated "these numbers do not mean a lot to me". "These numbers (referring to tax statement) do mean something to me". He stated he built his home 17 years ago. His tax statement says the taxes are increasing 14.4 percent. Ms. Hart told Mr. Daeger that he is experiencing a value increase. Mr. Daeger inquired how a tax assessor determines market value. Mr. Thurston explained the process. Mr. Daeger inquired if Mr. Thurston had forms and records available to which Mr. Thurston replied he did. Jim Connolly, 16235 Kamacite Street N.W., Ramsey, felt that HUD and VA homes should be included in the sales market for assessing values because the only direction it goes is up, the lower valued homes are not taken into consideration. City Council/Budget Public Hearing/November 30, 1994 Page 4 of 6