Ramsey Resident - 2003 - September/October

Home

8 TAX CAPACITY ARTICLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 2003, the City of Ramsey's allowable General Fund levy, as mandated by the State of Minnesota, was $3,839,038. TAX FREEZE /LEVY LIMIT FREEZE - The tax levy that a local taxing jurisdiction (city, county, school) may levy is the same as the prior year. When a tax /levy limit freeze is in place, there are no additional allowances for inflation, household growth and commercial construction. For example, The City of Ramsey's General Fund levy would once again be mandated by the State of Minnesota at an amount not to exceed $3,839,038. There is a misconception that the City is able to `pocket' all of the additional value that is currently being created via commercial /residential growth. As the word freeze implies, the City of Ramsey is `frozen' and the levy is frozen to what was levied in the prior year. What can occur when a freeze is in place and growth is occurring is an actual decrease in the amount of property taxes that a resident pays. How can this be? Because of the additional growth in the City, the City has a higher tax capacity rate (taxable market value). From definition above, property taxes are determined using tax capacity. The following demonstrates the effect on property taxes when a tax /levy limit freeze is in place for the City of Ramsey (the table holds all factors constant from 2003 with the exception of total taxable market value): Because of the increase in taxable market value from 2003 to 2004, largely due to additional residential /commercial growth, a Ramsey taxpayer would see their City of Ramsey share of property taxes decrease by approximately $68. The decrease is a direct result of more residents/ businesses sharing the `pie' (levy). DOG REGULATIONS No man is so poor as to have nothing worth giving. — Henry Wadsworth Lonfellow The Ramsey City Council realizes that dogs are an important part of the community in that they provide companionship, recreation, and protection for many citizens. The Council realizes that if not properly treated and controlled, a dog may become a nuisance and a hazard to persons and property. One way the City controls dogs is through licensing. The City limits two dogs per residence. Three or more dogs requires either an administrative kennel license or a conditional use permit for a kennel license. Call Chris Anderson, Community Development Assistant at 763 - 433 -9905 for additional information on a kennel license. The City Code requires all dogs to be licensed. Licenses are available, for a fee, from the City upon proof of rabies vaccination (required once in every 24 -month period and prior to the age of six months). Licenses are for a two -year period. The City of Ramsey sponsors a pet clinic, provided vendors are available, in late April or early May of each year. At that time, dog licenses are offered at a reduced rate. An owner or keeper of a dog must require the dog to be under the control and in custody of a person of sufficient age to adequately control the dog at all times while the dog is off the premises of the owner. The owner of a dog found running at large is guilty of a misdemeanor. Remember to take a scoop along when walking your dog! Section 5.09.03, Subd. 19 of City Code requires any person who owns or has custody of a dog to clean up dog excrement and place it in a proper receptacle. To protect citizens, no person may keep a dog that howls, yelps or barks to the reasonable annoyance of another person. The City's Animal Control Officer may request the person to stop or prevent the annoyance, and if they refuse to comply, a citation will be issued. If the officer needs to stop the annoyance, the dog may be taken to the Animal Pound. Any dog placed in the pound may be reclaimed by the owner upon payment of the impoundment fee, plus boarding fee. 2003 2004 City of Ramsey Total Taxable Market Value $ 10,386,884 $ 11,723,702 Levy Limit (General Fund) $ 3,839,038 $ 3,839,038 City of Ramsey Tax Capacity Rate (Levy limit /Taxable Market Value) 37.0% 33.0% For the following use property tax calculation above: Residential Property Market Value $ 150,000 $ 150,000 Class Rate 1.0% 1.0% Residential Property Net Tax Capacity (market value x class rate) $ 1,500 $ 1,500 Total Local Tax Rate (2004 Rate decreases by 4% due to decrease in City of Ramsey's 2004 Tax Capacity Rate from 37% to 33 %) 108% 104% Residential Total Property Tax (Net Tax Capacity x Local Tax Rate) $ 1,620 $ 1,560 City of Ramsey Share of Property Tax $ 567 $ 499 8 TAX CAPACITY ARTICLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 2003, the City of Ramsey's allowable General Fund levy, as mandated by the State of Minnesota, was $3,839,038. TAX FREEZE /LEVY LIMIT FREEZE - The tax levy that a local taxing jurisdiction (city, county, school) may levy is the same as the prior year. When a tax /levy limit freeze is in place, there are no additional allowances for inflation, household growth and commercial construction. For example, The City of Ramsey's General Fund levy would once again be mandated by the State of Minnesota at an amount not to exceed $3,839,038. There is a misconception that the City is able to `pocket' all of the additional value that is currently being created via commercial /residential growth. As the word freeze implies, the City of Ramsey is `frozen' and the levy is frozen to what was levied in the prior year. What can occur when a freeze is in place and growth is occurring is an actual decrease in the amount of property taxes that a resident pays. How can this be? Because of the additional growth in the City, the City has a higher tax capacity rate (taxable market value). From definition above, property taxes are determined using tax capacity. The following demonstrates the effect on property taxes when a tax /levy limit freeze is in place for the City of Ramsey (the table holds all factors constant from 2003 with the exception of total taxable market value): Because of the increase in taxable market value from 2003 to 2004, largely due to additional residential /commercial growth, a Ramsey taxpayer would see their City of Ramsey share of property taxes decrease by approximately $68. The decrease is a direct result of more residents/ businesses sharing the `pie' (levy). DOG REGULATIONS No man is so poor as to have nothing worth giving. — Henry Wadsworth Lonfellow The Ramsey City Council realizes that dogs are an important part of the community in that they provide companionship, recreation, and protection for many citizens. The Council realizes that if not properly treated and controlled, a dog may become a nuisance and a hazard to persons and property. One way the City controls dogs is through licensing. The City limits two dogs per residence. Three or more dogs requires either an administrative kennel license or a conditional use permit for a kennel license. Call Chris Anderson, Community Development Assistant at 763 - 433 -9905 for additional information on a kennel license. The City Code requires all dogs to be licensed. Licenses are available, for a fee, from the City upon proof of rabies vaccination (required once in every 24 -month period and prior to the age of six months). Licenses are for a two -year period. The City of Ramsey sponsors a pet clinic, provided vendors are available, in late April or early May of each year. At that time, dog licenses are offered at a reduced rate. An owner or keeper of a dog must require the dog to be under the control and in custody of a person of sufficient age to adequately control the dog at all times while the dog is off the premises of the owner. The owner of a dog found running at large is guilty of a misdemeanor. Remember to take a scoop along when walking your dog! Section 5.09.03, Subd. 19 of City Code requires any person who owns or has custody of a dog to clean up dog excrement and place it in a proper receptacle. To protect citizens, no person may keep a dog that howls, yelps or barks to the reasonable annoyance of another person. The City's Animal Control Officer may request the person to stop or prevent the annoyance, and if they refuse to comply, a citation will be issued. If the officer needs to stop the annoyance, the dog may be taken to the Animal Pound. Any dog placed in the pound may be reclaimed by the owner upon payment of the impoundment fee, plus boarding fee.