Ramsey Resident - 2004 - December

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3 PROPOSED LEVY INCREASE COULD ADD $7 A MONTH To TAX BILL On December 6, the Council will hold a public hearing on the 2005 budget and set the date for final levy adoption. Since preliminary adoption of the levy on September 13,2004, the City Council has been reviewing the budget proposal, considering revisions and studying the impact of initial budget decisions. If approved at the December 6 City Council meeting, the owner of a $218,000 home would see a property tax increase of about $83 for the year (calculation below). The City's levy increase does not affect your entire property tax bill - just the City's portion of the bill. The City's portion of the property tax levy is about 39 percent of the total property tax bill. The City's levy increase does not affect the 61 percent of the tax bill that goes to the School District, Anol(a County and other governmental entities. Calculation of Taxes Payable on a Residential Property valued at $218,000 (9% marl(et value increase) in 2005: 2004 2005 Residential Property Market Value $200,000 $218,000 City of Ramsey Tax Capacity Rate 37.4% 39.07% For the following use property tax calcula- tion above: Class Rate (State statute mandates rates) 1.0% 1.0% Residential Property Net Tax Capacity $2,000 $2,180 (marl(et value x class rate) Total Local Tax Capacity Rate (Includes 100.103% 97.648% County, School District and City of Ramsey) Residential Total Property Tax (Net Tax $2,002.06 $2,128.73 Capacity x Local Tax Capacity Rate) City of Ramsey Share of Property Tax $748.77 $831.69 (Residential Total Property Tax x City of Ramsey Tax Capacity Rate) The increase would ensure a balanced budget and would be used to - · Provide a three percent wage increase to city employees · Handle rising overhead costs (fuel, equipment, etc.) · Add Additional Personnel in Public Safety and Public Works · Restore funding for annual street maintenance (seal coating and bituminous overlays) BULK MAILING OF THE CITY NEWSLETTER It is at the discretion of your Post Office to have the newsletter delivered in a timely manner. DOG REGULATIONS The Ramsey City Council recognizes 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 in late April or early May of each year. At that time, dog licenses are offered at a reduced rate. An owner or l(eeper 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. Control and "custody" shall mean on a leash of not more than six (6) feet in length. It shall be lawful to have a dog in an automobile without a leash, but it must be on a leash if taken out of the vehicle. Violation of the Section shall be a petty 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. Think big thoughts but relish sInal! pleaures. - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.