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of Ramsey. In t~ae Ramsey Resident it was stated that the City owns the right of way for utilities, <br />but actually ~ he citizens own the right of way. <br /> <br />Finance OffiCer Lund explained that the $525,000 is part of the overall State cut and the City has <br />to find a wa3 to Stay whole. <br /> <br />Mr. Reimam rep'lied that it is the Council's responsibility to make the cuts. <br /> <br />Councilmember ~Cook replied that they have made cuts, but the fact is if they are going to cut <br />anymore it hCs t6 come out of staffing. <br />Mr. Reimart~ rel~fied that if the Council has to make cuts it is on the City's shoulder and it should <br />not be put b~k ~n the citizens of Ramsey. <br /> <br /> · <br /> <br />Leon Fisher,ii5113 Nowthen Boulevard NW, Ramsey, stated that he has a small business in <br />another City ~ndla year ago he had 100 employees and now he is down to 25. His electric bill is <br />over $10,0001 so by adding the fee it could mean having to cut someone's job for some business <br />owners dunng thi)se d~fficult t~mes. He felt that the City had a long way to go before they started <br />passing the b~ rd~n back to the citizens of Ramsey. Mr. Fisher emphasized that this was not the <br />time for tax ~ncr~eases. Everyone is facing cutbacks and for the City to be creating a new tax <br />program is n{>t a~:ceptable. He felt that the franchise fee was a "dirty tax" because most people <br />don't know About it. He stated that the Council needed to consider what the economic impact <br />will be on th¢~ smtall businesses in the City of Ramsey. <br /> <br />John Sebeka. <br />on the reside <br />then they no <br />City is poor. <br />receiving any <br /> <br />Finance Offi{ <br />come in, the <br />because there <br /> <br />Councilmemt <br />limit so they <br /> <br />6840 - 167th Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that additional taxes have been thrown <br />its, ~hich is not fair. When he moved out to the City there were 2,000 people and <br />Jed!more houses and businesses to increase the tax base and now it sounds like the <br />Th~ huge tax base should be able to cover the loss. He inquired if the City will be <br />additional funding from the State after 2004. <br /> <br /> Lund explained that with levy limits in place, the more tax base the City has <br />;er <br />more the property taxes are reduced. The City is not able to increase the levy <br /> [ <br /> <br />are 'more people in the City. <br /> <br />,er Cook stated that the problem is that the City is not able to increase their levy <br />lav~ to find other ways to pay for services. <br /> <br />Mr. Sebeka r~epli.,ed that if the Council has researched every option and the only option is a <br />franchise fee ~heni I guess they have no options. <br /> <br />Ron Parry, 1~62l,.' Dolomite Street NW, Ramsey, stated that they are still paying taxes from the <br />Spanish Amei'icai~ War so there is no guarantee that the tax will go away anytime soon. He <br />questioned wliat they were basing the 4.5 percent on. <br /> <br />City Council/June 24, 2003 <br />Page 10 of 37 <br /> <br /> <br />