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j ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 7 MOTION: Councilmember Rousseau moved and Councilmember Monson seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-049 for Planning Case 23-016 for a variance on a nonconforming detached garage due to the existing side yard setback for a corner lot of 1.4 feet to allow an addition on the north and south elevations that would decrease the current required side yard setback for corner lots from the minimum requirement of 40 feet to 5.8 feet and decrease the required front yard setback from the minimum requirement of 40 feet to 39.2 feet as measured from the footprint of the garage addition at 1945 Edgewater Avenue ("Subject Property") as recommended by staff with the two conditions as proposed by the Planning Commission. The motion carried (5- 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Resolution 2023-045 Setting Preliminary Levy For Proposed Taxes Payable In 2024 City Administrator Perrault stated this item was previously tabled from the September 11, 2023 City Council meeting, most of the information contained below remains the same with the exception of updated information regarding the Ramsey County Sheriff Office's and the Lake Johanna Fire Department's contracts for public safety services. Following the previous meeting, it was made public that the Lake Johanna Fire Department (LJFD) received a grant for additional positions in 2024, reducing their anticipated budget for Arden Hills by$103,306; and the Sheriff's Office received additional information reducing their anticipated budget for Arden Hills by $13,567. It also reflects an increase of$40,000 to support additional positions for LJFD starting in 2027 and avoid a large levy spike in the future. City Administrator Perrault reported State law requires that cities certify their proposed property tax levies to the county auditor by September 30th. The proposed tax levy that is given preliminary approval may be lowered but cannot be increased. Therefore, it is important that the proposed tax levy provides adequate revenues to finance the 2024 Budget. The City Council needs to decide the maximum levy that it is willing to approve and then adopt the attached resolution. The City will hold its Truth and Taxation Hearing and set the final tax levy at the December 11, 2023 City Council meeting. A budget workshop was held with the Council on August 21, 2023. Staff was directed to provide proposed maximum levy increase options from 0% to 16% (the amount needed to balance the General Fund). There will be another budget workshop in either October or November, prior to the final levy and budget adoption meeting in December. Staff commented further on the proposed budget and tax levy and recommended approval of the preliminary levy for taxes payable in 2024. Councilmember Monson asked if in order to balance the budget, a 14.7% levy increase would be needed. City Administrator Perrault reported this was the case. Councilmember Holden asked how much of a budget surplus the City would have at the end of 2023.