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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 9 City Administrator Perrault reported this surplus was typically placed in the PIR Fund. Councilmember Rousseau stated she supported the preliminary levy being set at 12.55%. Councilmember Fabel commented on how labor movement has become more active in recent days. He believed this current state should be considered when going into union negotiations. Because of the uncertainties surrounding the union negotiations, he recommended the preliminary levy be set at 14.7%. Councilmember Holden indicated the union negotiations were not just about money, but rather the City offered other benefits such as having every Friday afternoon off in the summer. She commented on how City staff appreciated having summer hours and ample vacation hours earned. Councilmember Monson stated she could support going down to the 12.55% levy increase with the assumed budget surplus money from 2023. She indicated she was concerned with the union negotiations and where those numbers would end up. Mayor Grant commented the Personnel Committee met regarding making Arden Hills a bit more flexible and enjoyable for employees. He discussed how Consent Agenda Item B offered employees more flexibility when it came to scheduling and how employees dress for their day. He believed this set Arden Hills apart and made it more enjoyable for working. He reported he has been on the City Council for the past 23 years and he has seen surpluses occurring for 23 years. He commented on how the City did not spend 100% of the budget for 100% of the budgeted items. He stated he believed in levying an amount of dollars that closely reflected the amount that would be spent. Councilmember Monson asked if when the City budgeted over all these years and hadn't spent the money, was it because the City didn't have people to exercise the goals and visions for the budget? She questioned why the City regularly has not hit its budget. Councilmember Holden stated every time Council set the levy, it was set lower than what the budget asked for. She noted that of course being a Director, she would always ask for more money than was needed and that you pad your budget some because you don't know. She said that at the same time, these are estimates. She went on to say that the maintenance schedule is a maintenance schedule, it's not a for -sure. She gave the example that Public Works may have a truck that has had no issues except for a little rust on the bottom, and they want to replace it. The Council can say no and schedule the replacement out another year or two. She noted the Council has the prerogative to say yes or no to everything that comes before them. Councilmember Holden stated that many times the City has been fully staffed but sometimes revenue does come from not funding a salary in the case of a staff vacancy. She noted she believes an approximately $10 million dollar field house would be built. Mayor Grant discussed how the City has a policy in place that requires the City to have 50% of its budget on hand. He commented on how this assists the City in covering expenditures in between receiving property tax payments, noting these were only made to the City two times a