Ramsey Resident - 2008 - December 08/January 09

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Gjobodf Ramsey Council Proposes Tax Rate Freeze Through this year's budget pro-2007, and possible double digit price ment and commended staff for their cess, the Ramsey City Council was increases in such areas as health diligence and hard work. Mayor Tom dedicated to ensuring the city is living care and natural gas costs, each city Gamec stated, “city staff excelled in within its means for the proposed department head was required to pare keeping the tax rate status quo and 2009 General Fund Budget and 2009 their budgets to maintain priority ser-coming up with budget solutions that property tax levy. Staff was directed vices. After much deliberation, staff maintained services.” to bringing back a budget that main-proposed the reduction of stafﬁ ng by Residents may learn more about tains all high-priority services such as one and one-half personnel and hold-the city’s proposed 2009 budget and police,ﬁ re, snowplowing and street ing off the purchase of major capital property tax levy at the public hearing repairs, but also keeping the tax rate equipment.known as “Truth in Taxation”. The constant with the rates adopted in On November 5, 2008, at its last public hearing will be held in the both 2008 and 2007. The city would budget work session, the City Council Council Chambers at the Ramsey be freezing its tax rate for the third was presented with what is deemed Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood straight year at a rate of approximate-to be the ﬁ nal 2009 budget in the Drive, Ramsey on December 1, 2008, ly 39.25%amount of $10,102,130 or a 0.53% at 6:00 pm. Staff was handed no small feat. increase over the adopted 2008 bud- Questions regarding the 2009 Faced with state-mandated levy limits get of $10,049,236. Not only would Budget and Levy can be directed capped at 3.9%, a modest property city services be maintained, but the to Diana Lund at 763-433-9847 or taxable value increase of 3.6% versus rate would be held at the required dlund@ci.ramsey.mn.us. increases of as much as 19.7% in 39.25%. Council was in agree- Qvcmjd!Opujdf Wooden Lath Available For Easement/Curbline Staking In an effort to reduce the amount metal fence posts and other non- ment. Metal posts also present a of damage caused by snowplows con-breakaway material in the public danger to other motorists if they were tacting the easement (curbline) early right-of-way. City staff will remove to slide into one of these posts with a in the snow plowing season, the city materials that pose a threat to public car or snowmobile. Lastly, the metal will provide wooden lath for hom-safety or interfere with maintenance posts prove to be a hindrance to snow eowners to install along the easement. operations. Small ﬁ berglass poles removal crews when pushing snow The lath should be spaced every and aluminum poles with reﬂ ectors back to provide room for visibility or twenty to thirty feet along the ease-may also be used, but will be the additional snow storage space. ment to help plow drivers identify the responsibility of the homeowner to Wooden lath are available at the edge of the road early in the season.maintain. Public Works Building, 14100 Jaspar The lath will eventually break off; In the past, some residents have Street NW, Ramsey, Monday - Fri- however, by that time it will have used metal fence posts to mark the day, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. served its purpose in establishing the edge of the road and this causes For further information, please curb line.several problems. There is the danger contact the Public Works Secretary Please remember the Boulevard of striking a buried utility line when at 763-433-9820 or mwarner@ Staking Policy prohibits the use of installing metal posts into the ease- ci.ramsey.mn.us. 4 www.ci.ramsey.mn.us