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City Administrator Hagen noted that he does not think that Staff would be able to make more cuts <br />to the budget in good faith. He said if the Council needed them to make more cuts, then they could <br />find areas to cut; however, from a perspective of what is needed to move the City forward to match <br />its current growth, the current proposed budget is what is needed. <br />Mayor Heineman stated they may get to a point where they say they no longer want to add any <br />new positions; however, he does not think they could get to this point until the City stops growing. <br />Councilmember Stewart asked if any new Staff positions could be cut. <br />Mayor Heineman noted that the Staff has already cut a few of their requested positions at the <br />Council's request. <br />City Administrator Hagen reviewed each of the remaining new positions and why each is needed. <br />Councilmember Buscher shared that Anoka just hired a full-time firefighter, and their wages were <br />much higher than those of the City. City Administrator Hagen noted that Staff is doing their best <br />to make sure these salaries are reasonable requests. <br />Mayor Heineman asked about the levy increase over the last several years. <br />City Administrator Hagen said they have had increases between 8% and 18% over the last several <br />years. <br />Finance Director Lund added that if they wanted to decrease the levy even further, then they could <br />use more available funds from the HRA fund. <br />City Administrator Hagen noted that the cash flow in this fund does not reflect the vacant land in <br />the COR that does not have a project proposed. <br />Councilmember Riley asked that Staff look at the new positions and remove a few more. <br />City Administrator Hagen asked if there are certain positions they would like to see removed or to <br />get more information on why the position is still being requested. <br />Councilmember Riley said he thinks the part-time Communications Specialist and the additional <br />Parks Maintenance Worker could be cut. He stated he has not heard enough about the need for an <br />additional Firefighter. <br />Councilmember Stewart agreed with not being supportive of the Communications Specialist and <br />the additional Parks Maintenance Worker. She said she is supportive of the additional Firefighter. <br />Councilmember Specht said he struggles to see the need for the Communications Specialist. <br />City Council Work Session / August 12, 2025 <br />Page5of7 <br />