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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—DECEMBER 11, 2023 7 <br /> Councilmember Fabel commented on the Council line item increase, which was within the <br /> General Fund. He requested staff speak further to these increases. <br /> City Administrator Perrault explained the most significant increase for the Mayor and Council <br /> budget line item was the City reentering the North East Youth and Family Services contract, <br /> which totaled $23,000. <br /> Councilmember Monson asked that staff speak to why the TCAAP budget looks the way it does. <br /> City Administrator Perrault stated the JDA was a separate entity and they approve their own <br /> budget. He explained the City was responsible for funding its respective consultants and staff <br /> time. He noted the City's JDA budget increased by$20,000 which would assist in offsetting costs <br /> for the AUAR which would be completed in 2024. <br /> Councilmember Holden questioned if the City's attorneys' fees should increase for 2024 to <br /> ensure all JDA documents could be reviewed and considered by the City Attorney. <br /> City Administrator Perrault explained staff had $10,000 in the budget for City attorneys' fees. <br /> Mayor Grant opened the Truth In Taxation Hearing at 8:04 p.m. <br /> Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated she could not understand what staff was saying <br /> regarding the JDA. <br /> City Administrator Perrault reported the City funded staff and consultant time for the JDA. He <br /> noted the City added $20,000 to the budget for 2024 to offset costs for the AUAR. <br /> Russ Bertsch, 4419 Amber Circle, stated he was surprised there was not more residents in <br /> attendance. He discussed how the value of his home had increased and explained his property <br /> taxes were set to go up over 12%. He commented on how these increases were impacting <br /> taxpayers and potential future buyers. He stated a future homebuyer would now be paying over <br /> $3,200 per month for his home given the value the County has put on his home and with the <br /> current interest rates. On top of this, the property taxes for his home would be increasing by $70 <br /> per month. While he appreciated living in Ramsey County and in Arden Hills, he questioned <br /> where people were supposed to come up with this type of money. He believed residents were <br /> being taxed out of the State of Minnesota and encouraged the City Council to reconsider the <br /> increase. <br /> Mayor Grant clarified for the record, the City of Arden Hills does not set the value of homes. He <br /> explained this was done by the Ramsey County Assessor. <br /> Donna Wiemann, 1406 Arden View Drive, reported St. Anthony is another suburb that was <br /> located in Hennepin and Ramsey County. She recommended the slideshow presented by staff to <br /> the City Council reflect this information. <br /> Mayor Grant closed the Truth In Taxation Hearing at 8:11 p.m. <br />