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

Home

Mr. Thurston stated that the HUD and VA homes are not used in the comparison but there are some lower sales. He added that the assessor does not hand pick the sales. Councilmember Peterson mentioned that market value is discussed at the Board of Review meeting scheduled in the spring. Mr. Thurston informed the residents that the assessor's office will come out any time of the year to re-evaluate the person's home - nothing is carved in stone - it can be amended. Chester Plass, 9430 - 181st Avenue N.W., Ramsey, (with regard to services) stated that he has not seen a police officer go by his house in two solid months. He added that he has a problem with snowmobilers also. Mrs. Plass, 9430 - 181st Avenue N.W., Ramsey, stated that if you want things, you have to pay for them. Councilmember Peterson stated that a local snowmobile dealer donated a snowmobile to the Ramsey Police Department to assist in catching violators and a local snowmobile club offered classes on proper snowmobiling. Mr. Connolly inquired if the City funded the Police Department with extra hours so they could be out policing the snowmobilers to which Mr. Schroeder replied yes. Jeff Martin, 15159 Zuni Street N.W., Ramsey, inquired what percentage of salary increase Council is contemplating City Staff. He added that we try to make the City invite-able but the more people who come, the more expensive it is to live here. Mr. Schroeder, in answer to the question about salary increases, explained that there are two unions represented and one group of non-union employees. One union has a settled contract and the increase for the year is about 4 percent. The Police unit only had a one year wage contract. The exempt employees generally follow settlements of the average of the unionized employees. He added that the problem with new housing construction is your costs start being incurred sometimes up to three years before the tax revenues occur. In essence, we are spending money today and will not receive money back until 1996 or 1997. We are now starting to receive tax dollars from the latest housing boom. We should be able to plan a little more accurately our revenue from these. LGA has been relatively stable for the last four years. Our population has increased 26 percent. Growth no longer impacts aid. Upon inquiry, Mr. Schroeder stated that in a lot of cities the five and ten year plan turns out to be a wish list. This is not so in the City of Ramsey. If it's included in the five to ten year plan, there is also a funding source identified for it. In the 1980's, taxes were at a lower level and the City was paying for expenses in an on-going fashion. However, there was no money set aside for future plans. Now we are doing that - we think we have the fiscal ability in future years to handle our plan. Councilmember Hardin commented that the commercial property taxes are higher, therefore, it's paramount we continue to bring in quality businesses to promote the tax base. City Council/Budget Public Hearing/November 30, 1994 Page 5 of 6