11-18-19-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 18, 2019 7 • TCAAP redevelopment • Current development projects • Transportation improvement projects • Public safety • Parks and trails • Financials and budget Communications Coordinator Skelly explained in past years, the City has invited representatives from MnDOT and Ramsey County to present on current and planned State road improvements project as well. Staff is requesting direction from the City Council on whether these representatives should be invited to attend the State of the City this year. Staff requested the Council have further discussions in order to assist staff in refining the event. Councilmember Holmes recommended the State of the City be held in early to mid-April to allow for the snowbirds to return. Councilmember McClung suggested the State of the City be held late April or early May. Councilmember Holden asked when National Small Business week was. Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported this would be held May 3, 2020 through May 9, 2020. Council consensus was to direct staff to hold the State of the City on April 16 or April 23. E. 2020 Budget Discussion Finance Director Bauman stated a budget workshop was held with the Council on August 19, 2019. Staff was not directed to make any changes to the proposed 2020 General Fund Budget and Council adopted a maximum tax levy increase of 5% on September 23, 2019. The final levy and budget adoption meeting are scheduled for December 9, 2019. Finance Director Bauman explained the 2020 proposed budget is currently being prepared assuming a 3.0%wage adjustment for all staff which is consistent with what other cities are doing in the area. Benefit amounts have been adjusted based on renewal information. Health insurance is set to increase by less than 2%and dental is set to increase by 2.9%. The city's payment toward employee health insurance is increasing $7.50 per month for an employee on a single plan and $11.72 per month for an employee on a family plan. This is approximately a 1.3% increase or a $2,910 increase in the budget. Finance Director Bauman discussed the personnel changes. She noted the Foreman position has been removed from the budget but an Office Support Specialist has been added to Public Works. This resulted in a savings to the 2020 Budget of $12,510. Other changes to personnel costs include changes in the allocation between departments and funds for various positions. Total personnel costs increased by $13,020 from 2019 to 2020. The step and COLA increases were offset by removing the Foreman position from Public Works and adding an Office Support Specialist, and a reduction in the budget for work comp and pension costs.