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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 9, 2024 5 how the proposed tax levy compared to other cities in Ramsey County. She commented on the resources available for property tax relief. Staff discussed how the median value home would be impacted by the proposed tax levy and asked for comments or questions from the Council. Councilmember Holden asked what percent Public Safety was of the overall budget. Finance Director Yang stated Public Safety made up 46% of the overall budget. Mayor Grant opened the Truth in Taxation public hearing at 7:36 p.m. Steve Erler, 1704 Chatham, spoke in support of the budget being considered by the Council, along with the 15.5% tax levy. He believed the Council has done all they could to come up with a reasonable balanced budget. He indicated the increase was justified due to increases in public safety expenditures and employee salaries. Brad Bjorklund, 3550 Ridgewood Court, stated he has served on the Planning Commission for several years now. He explained two years ago, the City Council let many weeds grow and allowed Rice Creek Commons to languish in weeds for 10 years, which cost every citizen in the community $400 in legal fees to no avail. He appreciated the fact Rice Creek Commons would now be developed thanks to the new City Council. He reported this development would enrich the community. He stated the City’s reputation of practicing institutional racism was enhanced by Councilmember Holden and Mayor Grant’s stance against the development of Rice Creek Commons, the lawsuit and the elimination of the Human Rights Commission. He believed the proposed budget and tax levy were a reflection of all the things Councilmember Holden and Mayor Grant let slide. He stated massive buckthorn weeds have taken over the City’s parks and a couple of City benches were not enough. He discussed how City employee wages have been neglected and employee happiness was being threatened. He stated no meaningful or substantial input has been received from Mayor Grant or Councilmember Holden on where cuts could be made to offset the need for this tax increase. He discussed how inaction was no longer a meaningful option. He believed the proposed tax increase was meaningful and he appreciated the Councilmember’s who supported it. Russell Bertsch, 4419 Amble Circle, stated this year’s proposed tax bill was a concern to him, especially given the double digit increase that occurred last year. He explained he wanted to understand why his property value goes up 2.5% and his taxes were proposed to increase 18%. He indicated this was outrageous. He stated his County taxes were slated to go up 7.2% as well. He believed an increase of $255 per year was excessive for the City. He encouraged the Council to consider how the levy increases were impacting residents because Arden Hills would no longer be affordable. He feared that the Council would be pricing people out of the housing market in Arden Hills. He asked that the Council consider this before approving another double-digit levy increase. He discussed how residents were making adjustments to their standard of living and suggested the Council take the same measures in order to reduce costs. Steve Scott, 4286 Norma Avenue, stated he has experience managing City finances and setting tax levies. He explained he was astounded by the callous nature of some of the members on the Council with respect to how they were approaching the proposed budget and tax levy. He encouraged the Council to truly consider how the proposed increase will impact residents. He stated Arden Hills was proposing the second highest tax levy increase in Ramsey County. He spoke on behalf of an elderly neighbor noting this resident has lived in Arden Hills for the past 40