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ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S.Postage Paid I Arden Hills,MN• 55112-5734 St.Paul,MN NH S Permit #1962 n City sets 2010 levy S Allina ambulance service The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents January/February 2010 • POSTAL CUSTOMER - t d City seeking administrator Arden Hills City Council sets 2010 tax levy e Workforce housing plans small tax levy increase in 2010 Unallotment will maintain City services The Market Value Homestead hile compensating for Credit is a state deduction on most increases in public safety contracts homeowners'local property taxes. 'The City Arden Hills has set to and the unallotment of a State rebate. The State is supposed to reimburse the 2010 tax levy at$3.02 million local units of government for their lost Notes from the City COUnCII On December 14 the City Council set revenues.But the State gave Arden •This is a 2.3%increase over 2009 the 2010 levy at$3.02 million,a 2.3 Hills only a partial reimbursement in percent increase. 2008 and no reimbursement in 2009 •City taxes on a median-value would like to wish you all a interim,Sue Iverson has been appointed the country's population.As a result and 2010.That's a loss of$66,000 for house will increase by about$15 happy and prosperous new year. as the Acting City Administrator. we need everyone to be counted to Taxes on amedian-valued 2010. in 2010. A start of a new year always invites help maintain our state's influence in home($2 meth)will increase us to review the events of the past and The financial status of Arden Hills Washington, D.C. approximately$15 in 2010. Other cuts •The City's total 2010 budget is look forward to new events. remains strong and stable. We are The total 2010 budget is$11.26 $11.26 million,a 6.5%decrease not affected by reductions in local In closing,I would like to ask everyone Increases on the City's public million a 6.5 percent decrease. from 2009 Last year's most significant event government aid and have held the to consider volunteering to serve on safety service contracts equate to a Reduced TCAAP-related expenses and was the decision by the developer to operational expenses level. This a City committee. We currently have 2.1 percent levy increase,and the fewer capital improvement projects •In addition to the le City pull out of the agreement to purchase past year we were able to replace several openings on each committee levy, n' Governor's unallotment of the Market contributed to the overall decrease. revenue comes from inter ov- and develop the TCAAP property. several streets at a good value,and we and would welcome your participation. g Value Homestead Credit required ernmental revenue, licenses and This decision was based on the plan to continue to look for similar another 1.1 percent increase. Spending The total capital improvement budget economic difficulty for new property opportunities this coming year. Best wishes and happy new year, p p g fees for licenses and permits, cuts in other areas reduced the levy is$3.11 million.Major projects fines,and charges for services development during the recession. g increase by 0.9 percent for a net planned for 2010 include: sanitary such as utilities Recently the City has been working The federal Census will be conducted / ( )• �,�,(� increase of 2.3 percent sewer line improvements,new trail with Ramsey County to complete the in the next few months. An accurate transfer of the wildlife corridor and and complete census is critical for the along Old Highway extension Public safety of the Elmer L.Anderson Memorial trail connections to the county,before City and State. The State of Minnesota Stan Harpstead,Mayor Police and fire protection make up Trail,and road improvements on the land is sold at auction.While is very close to losing a congressional p wanted to make even more cuts more than a third of the City's general Snelling Avenue,Katie Lane,and in while other members believed most the process has shifted to an auction seat based on the redistribution of fund operating costs.The City's the Valentine Avenue neighborhood.g residents are willing to pay a little format,over the years Arden Hills, contribution to the Lake Johanna Fire more to maintain City services. along with neighboring communities, Department budget increased 5.6 HELP WANTED. P g Other budget cuts include eliminating has shaped future land-use plans and percent while the Ramsey County the open assistant city administrator The Council didn't decrease staff's these plans are still in place. The City of Arden Hills currently has openings on the following Sheriff's Department contract osition and reducin the recordin commissions and committees: p g g proposed budget.Thus the$41,000 At the end of 2009,City Administrator increased 1.1 percent and fees for secretary budget and Northwest Youth will come from reserves unless cost h Communications(newsletter committee) the new 911 dispatch center jumped and FamilyServices contribution. Ron Moorse left the City of Arden savings or new revenue is generated •Economic Development Commission 17.4 percent. Some Council members This year's budget doesn't include any over the course of the year. Hills.The City has retained Richard questioned some elements of the fire Financial Planning and Analysis Committee q contingency funds to cover unexpected Fursman of the Brimeyer Group to conduct a search for a new city •Parks,Trails,and Recreation Committee and sheriff expenditures and called for expenses. additional oversight over their future administrator. This transition process • Planning Commission budgets.Aside from the contracts, More cuts? is well underway.In the meantime other City operating costs remain The$3.02 million levy is$41,000 less the City is well served by a senior Contact City Hall for more information or for an application. relatively flat. than what City staff had proposed. leadership team that has served Arden Hills for the past three years.In the __ - — The Council approved the reduction on a 3-2 vote. Some Council members