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<br />8, 2026; Adopt Resolution #26-216 Adopting Proposed 2027 General Fund Budget and <br />Resolution #26-217 Adopting Proposed 2027 EDA Budget <br /> <br />The staff report was shared with Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman clarified that the estimated $70 to $75 impact on a median-valued home <br />represented an annual, not monthly, increase. He also explained that the apparent increase in the <br />pavement-management levy should be considered in the context of the City's previous methods of <br />financing road improvements through special assessments and franchise-fee revenues. He noted <br />that Ramsey continued to grow, requiring infrastructure and public-safety investments before <br />receiving all revenues associated with new residents. However, he indicated that he had hoped to <br />see a preliminary levy increase below 6.13% and would not support the proposed amount. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley noted that comparisons of municipal tax rates did not necessarily reflect <br />other revenue sources available to individual cities, including Local Government Aid, franchise <br />fees, municipal utilities, or municipal liquor operations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher observed that comparisons limited to Anoka County municipalities did <br />not necessarily account for differences in population or growth rates. She noted that comparisons <br />with similarly sized communities provided additional context regarding Ramsey's tax position. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht thanked staff for the extensive work on the budget but said he would not <br />support the proposal because he continued to have concerns about certain staffing positions and <br />wanted a lower levy increase. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to adopt Resolution 26- <br />215 Adopting Proposed 2027 Payable Tax Levies (General, Pavement Management, EDA and <br />Debt Service) and Schedule Public Hearings for December 8, 2026 <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Peters, Olson, Buscher, and Riley. Voting No: <br />Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Specht, and Stewart. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Riley, to adopt Resolution #26- <br />216 Adopting Proposed 2027 General Fund Budget <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Peters, Olson, Buscher, and Riley. Voting No: <br />Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Specht, and Stewart. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Peters, seconded by Councilmember Specht, to adopt Resolution #26- <br />217, Adopting Proposed 2027 EDA Budget <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Buscher, Olson, Peters, Riley, <br />Specht, and Stewart. Voting No: None. <br />7.02: Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Retail Compliance Violation and Possible Suspension <br /> <br />City Council /September 22, 2026 <br />Page 7 of 10 <br /> <br />