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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—DECEMBER 8, 2014 6 <br /> With no one else coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. <br /> MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a <br /> motion to adopt Resolution #2014-066 — Certifying the List of Delinquent <br /> Utility Accounts to Ramsey County. <br /> Councilmember McClung expressed frustration that so many of his fellow Arden Hills residents <br /> were delinquent on their utility accounts. He recommended that an article on this issue be placed <br /> in an upcoming City newsletter. <br /> Councilmember Holden agreed that residents should be paying their bills; however, the City was <br /> collecting an 8%penalty on all of the outstanding bills. <br /> The motion carried (5-0). <br /> 8. NEW BUSINESS <br /> A. Adoption of the 2015 Budget and Tax Levy <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson recommended that the Council adopt <br /> the 2015 Budget and Tax Levy. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked about the proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA) for <br /> employees. <br /> Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated that the proposed budget <br /> includes a 2% COLA for non-union employees. She noted that a 1.5% COLA would reduce the <br /> levy by$4,518. <br /> MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a <br /> motion to approve Resolution #2014-063 — Adopting the 2015 Budget in the <br /> amount of$17,829,554. <br /> Councilmember McClung stated that he was not happy about the increases in public safety; <br /> however, there is nothing the Council can do. He explained that he could support a 2.6% increase <br /> in the levy to cover the public safety increases, but he would not be able to support a levy increase <br /> beyond this amount. He reported that if a 2.6% levy increase were approved, this would leave the <br /> City with a $95,173 shortfall that would need to be covered by reserves or excess from the 2014 <br /> budget. He suggested that the Council support the budget at the reduced level. <br /> Councilmember Holmes explained that in the past the excess from a budget has been placed in <br /> the Capital Reserve Fund. She believed that these funds were needed to ensure street <br /> improvements and utility projects could continue to move forward in the City. For this reason, <br /> she would not support the reduced levy amount. She requested that the Council move forward <br /> with the 5.05% levy as recommended by staff. <br />