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<br />with the County EDA levy there is no assurance that the funds will stay in Ramsey; the policies <br />along that line have not been set yet. Mr. Sullivan explained the other thing that is difficult to <br />quantify is that the County EDA levy would be attached to their HRA, so an expenditure of <br />0.014% could go to 0.018%, which would be an increase of $11 per resident. Currently the <br />County HRA is not at the maximum threshold for this area, so there are still some increases that <br />could occur within the HRA levy within Ramsey. The County had indicated they would get <br />back to staff with the exact level this levy is currently at and the impact to the citizens. If they <br />were to add the EDA onto the HRA levy limits that would be a net increase of $11 per household <br />on a $250,000 house. However, currently since they are not at the maximum levy with the HRA <br />there is that gap that could be filled in addition to the $11. <br /> <br />Member Elvig commented in the discussion with the County it sounded like some communities <br />thought this was great because they do not have an EDA. As was stated there is the gap that <br />could still be filled with the HRA levy, with the EDA levy in addition to that gap. He noted that <br />the EDA has extra powers that could be used for bonding, which is a big tool to be able to bond <br />with those powers for projects that normally could not be done through the HRA. <br /> <br />Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan indicated the County will be providing additional <br />information that was requested from the Council. He suggested further review by the EDA if <br />information is provided that makes this more appealing to the City. <br /> <br />Member Strommen stated she will be abstaining from the vote on this case until the additional <br />information is presented to Council. <br /> <br />Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan suggested a recommendation to Council that with <br />the current information available the need to opt in to the economic development component of <br />the ACHRA is not seen at this time. <br /> <br />Motion by Member Schindel, seconded by Member LeTourneau, to recommend to City Council <br />that with the current information available the need to opt in to the economic development <br />component of the ACHRA is not seen at this time. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Riley, Members Schindel, LeTourneau, and Steffen. <br />V oting No: None. Abstain: Members Elvig and Strommen. Absent: Member Kiefer. <br /> <br />Chairperson Riley requested information regarding Anoka County Partners. Economic <br />Development Coordinator Sullivan replied that Community Development Director Trudgeon sits <br />on the Board of Anoka County Partners. Mr. Sullivan stated he has put an email in to David <br />Piggott asking when the web site will be up and running. He received a response back that it <br />should be up in the next two weeks. He would like to see what that website looks like. He has <br />the impression that the County is considering whether to participate with the County EDA <br />powers or with Anoka County Partners. Currently the County contributes $100,000 per year <br />towards Partners. Partners will not likely be in existence in the future if the County does not <br />continue their financial support. <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/August 9, 2007 <br />Page 3 of9 <br />