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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JUNE 20, 2016 7 <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund requested further information on the budget from a 20,000-foot aerial <br />view. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator/Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br />reviewed the general fund budget from a broad perspective in further detail with the Council. She <br />noted the City had an approximate $700,000 surplus in 2015 and had a 62.9% fund balance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund was interested in investing the City’s surplus into infrastructure. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant recommended the City work with the County on the trail section south of the <br />railroad. He stated he had discussed this possibility with County Commissioner Huffman. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned when the budgets from police and fire would be available. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator/Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br />reported she had received the numbers but had not had a chance to review them. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden indicated she was in favor of proceeding with a 5% tax levy. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes could support a levy of public safety plus 2%. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant supported this recommendation as well. However, he wanted to see what was <br />included or removed. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator/Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson <br />questioned what the COLA adjustment should be for 2017. She noted a 2.75% increase was <br />approved for 2016. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s COLA and step raise increases. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes supported a 2% COLA increase. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden supported a 2.5% COLA increase. She also wanted to see the <br />healthcare split changed to 40/60 with the City paying 40% and employees paying 60%. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant believed a 2% COLA was fair. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund was in favor of a COLA increase higher than 2.5%. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden commented on the Johanna Marsh tennis court. She suggested money <br />be put into the CIP for renovation of this park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund questioned how the CIP was funded. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator/Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson defined <br />how the City funded the CIP. <br />