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The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents January/February 2018 2018 tax levy unchanged from preliminary 4.0 percent rate set in September At its December 11, 2017 meeting, the City Council adopted a 2018 property tax levy of $3,786,942. This sets the City’s property tax levy increase for 2018 at 4.0 percent, which is unchanged from the preliminary levy rate set in September 2017. Funding from the City’s share of regional fiscal disparities has increased for 2018 and will contribute $320,003 toward the levy total. The City’s tax capacity also has increased, and taxes paid by City property owners will account for the remaining bal- ance, or $3,466,939. The impact of a 4.0 percent levy increase – applied to a net tax rate increase – trans- lates to a $16.15 (or an approximate 2.0 percent) increase in annual taxes paid by resident owners of median valued homes (value changing from $308,200 to $333,800). In Arden Hills, the entire tax levy goes toward the General Fund expenditures in the City’s budget. The property tax levy ac- counts for approximately 76 percent of the General Fund revenues. Due to the current economic environment, $237,225 in re- serves was used to balance the 2018 budget. In 2017, the City had a reserves outflow budgeted of $195,956, but due to various cost savings the General Fund will likely end at or under budget for fiscal year 2017. Revenues • General Fund revenues in the 2018 budget are set at $4,939,531. • The most notable revenue line item is the levy amount, which will result in an additional $145,652 in revenue over the previous year. • Building permits and other revenues are expected to decrease due to changes in fees set by the State of Minnesota. Expenditures • General Fund expenditures for 2018 total $5,176,756. Public Safety costs are set to increase by 5.7 percent for the Lake Johanna Fire Department, 1.2 percent for the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department contract, and a decrease of 5.3 percent for dispatch services. • After accounting for the Public Safety increases, the remaining General Fund budget increases are primarily due to employee salary and benefit Cost of Living Adjustments and budgeted one-time expenditures. • Expenditures for City Hall main- tenance and infrastructure/capital reserve fund transfers to address in- creasing repair costs for the City Hall are included this year. Other Rate Increases: • 2018 utility rates have not been adjust- ed for 2018 yet due to a pending rate study. The associated utility rates are expected to change following the rate study. Residents will receive updated rates following the completion of the study (1st Quarter 2018). You can make a difference Volunteers are needed to serve on the City’s Planning Commission and other committees. Please visit the committees and commis- sions page on the City website for more information and to fill out an application. Interested residents can also call or stop by City Hall to learn more.