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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 3 <br /> A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll <br /> B. Motion to Accept Donation from the Arden Hills Foundation <br /> C. Motion to Approve Deputy Clerk Title Change to City Clerk <br /> MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a <br /> motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize <br /> execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried <br /> unanimously (5-0). <br /> 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS <br /> None. <br /> 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS <br /> A. TCAAP Development <br /> Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. <br /> With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. <br /> 8. NEW BUSINESS <br /> A. 2014 Proposed Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson reviewed the proposed 2014 <br /> preliminary budget and tax levy with the Council. She discussed the median value of homes in <br /> Arden Hills noting that property values were on the rise after five consecutive years of decreases. <br /> This is an encouraging sign that the housing market and economy are stabilizing. <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson explained that property taxes make <br /> up 78% of the operating revenues in the General Fund. Staff has prepared a levy of 3.05% per <br /> City Council direction for preliminary discussion and will be reviewing and refining this over the <br /> coming weeks before setting the final levy in December. She commented that a public hearing <br /> will be held at the December 9, 2013, meeting to take public input before approving the final levy. <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson displayed a chart addressing the tax <br /> levies for the past 10 years. She then discussed how the proposed 2014 levy will affect residential <br /> properties in Arden Hills. It was noted that the major increases in the 2014 budget are for public <br /> safety costs which account for 68.63% of the increase to the budget or 2.10% of the proposed levy <br /> increase. The other proposed increases in the budget were discussed in detail. <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson indicated that the preliminary levy <br /> needs to be established and certified by September 15th of each year to the County, while the final <br /> levy would be adopted in December. Once a preliminary levy is established, the amount can be <br /> reduced, but cannot be increased. <br />