Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – AUGUST 16, 2021 <br /> 3 <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman reviewed the overall General Fund budget summary, revenues by <br />source, expenditures by department and by type. She discussed the tax levy history, the <br />implications of the proposed tax levy and General Fund tax levy assumptions. She discussed <br />budgeted amounts versus actual activity by year and other funds relying on tax levy dollars. <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman said the current assumption for wages and benefits is a 3% COLA, <br />8% health insurance increase and 3% dental increase. She asked if any of those assumptions <br />should be changed. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault commented that the health insurance increase was a preliminary <br />number from the provider. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes felt they shouldn’t be budgeting for a hypothetical project when <br />discussing building permit fee revenue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott said a placeholder would be beneficial. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung agreed. <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman said it is anticipated that $200,000 of the $240,000 set for 2021 <br />sealcoating and resurfacing would be used. She wondered if the Council wanted to keep it at <br />$240,000 for 2022. <br /> <br />After a brief discussion, direction from Council was to set it at $220,000. <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman said the placeholder for the TCAAP budget (legal and financial <br />consultants) is $89,400 for 2022. Should this amount be reduced? <br /> <br />After discussion, direction from Council was to leave it as is. <br /> <br />Finance Director Bauman said if they would like to talk about the maximum levy at another <br />work session they could but she needed to know the range where they were comfortable. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott felt they shouldn’t underbudget and should move up a bit from 3%, to <br />between 3 and 5%. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes said 3-5%. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung was comfortable with 3%. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant said he was probably on the lower side but staff should come back with a 3-5% <br />range. <br /> <br />D. City Diseased Tree Control Program <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director Swearingen stated they are specifically talking about he <br />Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. He reviewed the action steps in the current plan. <br />