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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 12 Discussion ensued regarding how the decision was made to reclassify some positions and why some positions didn't warrant a change. Councilmember Monson said she is comfortable if the cost lands between $124,000 and $155,000. The numbers changing won't move the levy as much as she hoped unless something more dramatic was done. Mayor Grant summarized that it appeared that Option 1 was going to be the choice and now Option 2 seems to still be an option. Interim City Administrator Jagoe stated that Staff understood Council direction to be $155,000. She thinks there may be a discrepancy between how it was calculated and how it was conveyed. Staff didn't create a different strategy for implementation, the $155,000 amount is the direction, as she heard it, that Council gave. Councilmember Holden agreed, that is clearly the direction Council gave to staff. Interim City Administrator Jagoe summarized what she heard. This will be part of the bigger budget discussion. Staff will leave the amount that is there as a place holder for the budget discussion. Councilmember Fabel said it is a question of equity for him. He is inclined to believe it is more equitable for everyone going up about the same amount now with the reclassified employees having a more aggressive schedule. Tessia Melvin said she has enough direction for now and Finance Director Yang will let her know what amount is agreed upon and she will find options to make that work. The Council recessed the work session at 6:51pm. The Council reconvened the work session at 9:06 pm. Councilmember Fabel was not present for the continuation of the work session. C. Preliminary 2025 General Fund Budget Discussion Mayor Grant introduced the discussion. He said Council has agreed that they will give Finance Director Yang a range for the preliminary levy. The Preliminary Levy needs to be agreed upon by the end of the month. Finance Director Yang continued the discussion on the preliminary general fund budget for 2025. The City is required to adopt a maximum tax levy by the end of September. This will have to be done at the September 23 Council meeting. She is seeking direction for what scenarios Council would like Staff to bring forward. Finance Director Yang provided 5 scenarios based off the August 19th Special Work Session and guidance provided by council.