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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 20, 2018 4 <br /> She noted tree roots were now included in their coverage. She expressed concern that SLWA had <br /> not worked with staff to negate their mistake and feared what mistakes would be made in <br /> SLWA's next mailing. <br /> Councilmember Holmes agreed SLWA was a concern. She explained the City thought they <br /> were acting in good faith on behalf of the residents but noted this had turned into something <br /> different altogether. <br /> Mayor Grant requested staff investigate the termination clause within the agreement with <br /> SLWA. <br /> E. Sympathy/Greeting Card Floral Arrangement Policy <br /> City Administrator Perrault stated the Council has previously asked City staff to bring forward <br /> a policy to address when the City will send out sympathy/greeting cards. The City has also <br /> historically sent floral arrangements in certain cases, which has also been added to this policy. <br /> Mayor Grant recommended this item go back to the Personnel Committee for further review <br /> prior to being addressed by the City Council. <br /> F. Preliminary General Fund Budget <br /> Finance Director Bauman stated annually, City staff prepares and submits a preliminary budget <br /> to the City Council for review and feedback. Staff reviewed the City's preliminary General Fund <br /> budget for the 2019 fiscal year. She explained each department provided their respective forecasts <br /> for this budget. The proposed 2019 budget is $5,519,250, an increase of$342,494 or 6.6%. For <br /> the purpose of this discussion, there is no tax levy increase reflected in the budget. As presented, <br /> the General Fund Budget is underfunded by $368,130, with $237,225 of the shortfall being carried <br /> over from the 2018 budget and $130,905 from current year projections. This practice is not <br /> sustainable in the long term. A tax levy increase of 9.72% would be needed to balance the budget <br /> in 2019. <br /> Finance Director Bauman explained according to information provided by Ramsey County, the <br /> median home value in Arden Hills will increase from $333,800 for 2018 taxes to $346,900 for <br /> 2019 taxes, an increase of 3.9%, which is less than the countywide average of 7.4%. The annual <br /> impact of different levels of the City levy increase to a median valued home was reviewed with <br /> the Council. Staff reviewed the proposed budget in further detail with the Council and asked for <br /> comments or questions. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked how the City Planner's position had been budgeted for 2019. <br /> Finance Director Bauman reported this position had been put into contractual services. She then <br /> provided the Council with further information on the Ramsey County Sheriff's 2019 budget and <br /> noted they would be adding an investigator for the contract cities. <br /> Mayor Grant expressed frustration that the investigator was being added only to the contract <br /> cities and stated Ramsey County may no longer be a cost-effective measure for the City of Arden <br />