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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — AUGUST 21, 2023 11 expenditures included in the 2024 Budget ($40,000 for ordinance updates and $17,500 for a comp study). This would cause the 2024 Budget to be underfunded by a minimum of $57,500. A tax levy increase of 16.6% ($782,030) would be needed to balance the budget in 2024. Staff provided further comment on the Preliminary 2024 General Fund Budget and requested feedback from the Council. Councilmember Monson asked where the surplus in the General Budget is transferred to. Finance Director Bauman reported these funds are placed in the PIR Fund. Councilmember Holden questioned if staff had pricing for the new City Attorney. City Administrator Perrault indicated it would depend on the chosen firm, but based on the proposals he did not anticipate they would increase the budget significantly. Councilmember Fabel expressed concern with the increased fees from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. City Administrator Perrault reported it was his understanding the sheriff's department had added two positions and was passing along higher administrative fees to their contract cities. Mayor Grant supported the fire department pursuing the safer grant. Councilmember Monson explained this grant would be pursued as the department commits to hiring new personnel for the full-time model. Councilmember Fabel questioned when the step and grade model was adopted for personnel. City Administrator Perrault stated this was done in 2014. He reported a compensation study was completed in 2018. Councilmember Fabel asked what the cost of living adjustment would be for 2024. Finance Director Bauman indicated the COLA was set to be 3%. Councilmember Monson expressed concerns with how inflation was impacting the economy and inquired if the 3% increase would be sufficient to retain employees. She asked if the personnel committee has looked into this. Mayor Grant commented on how Staff would be receiving step increases along with COLA. Councilmember Holden indicated Arden Hills was a small city and there were not the same opportunities as large cities. Finance Director Bauman reported the preliminary tax levy had to be approved by the City Council on September 11 or September 25. She asked if the Council would like to hold another budget worksession prior to considering the preliminary tax levy.