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<br /> ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSlON MINUTES <br /> August 15,2005 3 <br /> ..m.__.__ <br /> . <br /> As part of the budget preparation process, City staff is reviewing the five-year CIP, fuel costs, <br /> utility fees, and other services that are impacted by inl1ationary costs. Also, City staff is <br /> reviewing our existing revenue collections. At this time, the City is expecting a reduction in <br /> revenue in the area of building permits due to a reduction in the number of projects (Guidant and <br /> Bethel University) occurring in the City this year. The projected shortfall is $150,000. Staff is <br /> looking at either eliminating smaller projects or pushing back these projects into future years in <br /> order to offset a portion of the anticipated shortfall. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked if the City Council would consider a lcvy of 5% and then lower <br /> the rate at a future meeting if the additional revenue were not needed. <br /> City Administrator Michelle Wolle said that City staff could provide the City Council with a <br /> number of different funding options to consider. <br /> Mayor Aplikowski stated that she would be comfortable with a 5 or 6 percent levy, <br /> Councilmember Holden said that she would be comfortable with a 4 percent levy. <br /> Councilmember Larson said that hc would be comfortable with a 4 percent levy, but would like <br /> to see a 5 percent levy and have the additional funding Llsed for park improvements. <br /> . Councilmember Rem also suggested that a 5% levy be approved by the City Council and utilize <br /> the I percent for future park improvement projccts. It is a one year increase and future City <br /> Councils could decide if this practice should be continued in the future. <br /> Mayor Aplikowski said that the levy tool is therc tor the City Council to raise additional <br /> revenues. <br /> Finance Director Siddiqui stated that an additional 1 % levy would result in $24,000 of additional <br /> funding dedicated to the park fund. <br /> Councilmember Larson recommended that the City Council approve a 4% levy for 2006 and <br /> explore other funding options that could lead a more pemlanent funding mechanism for future <br /> park improvement projccts. <br /> Members of the City Council agreed to a 4% preliminary lcvy for 2006. <br /> Financc Director Siddiqui asked the City Council if they were comfortable with offering City <br /> staff a 2.75% cost of living increase for 2006. The 2.75% salary increase is the same increase <br /> that the Local 4gers are schcduled to receive in 2006. <br /> Members of the City Council were in agreement with the proposed 2.75% salary increase for <br /> . City staff in 2006. <br /> 3 <br /> ---.--- <br />