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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 13 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 191h Special Work Session and guidance provided by council. Scenario 1 includes a 3% COLA, 10% health and 4% dental increases and Option 1 for $155,000, from the previous Work Comp Study. It also includes Ramsey County Police, Lake Johanna Fire Department and Ramsey County Election Services contractual increases. The CIP increase of $160,000 is also included. There is a $100,000 of EDA levy transfer to the General Fund. Scenario 2 includes everything in Scenario 1 with the addition of $151,000 for Public Works staffing updates. Scenario 3 includes Scenario 2 with the addition of the Lake Johanna Fire Station. Scenario 4 includes Scenario 3 with the addition of Old Highway 10 Trail. Scenario 5 includes Scenario 4 with the addition of Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail. Councilmember Rousseau would like to discuss the Franchise Fee. If Council decides not to move forward with the franchise fee, that could change how this looks. Councilmember Monson agreed. She wondered what the timing was on the franchise fee. Finance Director Yang said it would be 90-days prior to implementation.