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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 9, 2024 14 Councilmember Fabel stated during the course of the year the Council heard a compelling presentation from Director Swearingen regarding the need for this additional staff member. He indicated the positive and negatives aspects were reviewed by staff. He commented after hearing the presentation, the Council recommended the position begin April 1. He recommended staff speak to the necessity and negative impacts if this position were not to begin in April of 2025. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen commented this position was a necessary component for operations for the City to get to the standard that is expected from residents. He reported if the position were delayed, the City would remain in the same status it was today and programs that could be developed by this new position would be further delayed. Councilmember Fabel indicated Director Swearingen’s own time would be used more efficiently and effectively if he didn’t have to do the tasks proposed for the new FTE. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported this was the case, noting he only had so much bandwidth. Councilmember Holden reported many of the new tasks for Director Swearingen were voted on by the Council. She asked what new parks programs were being proposed. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated he was speaking of programs very broadly. Mayor Grant commented three members of the Council prefer the 15.5% levy and if this were the case, the levy would be set at 15.5%. He indicated he would venture to say 2% could be removed from the levy. Councilmember Monson stated she did not believe it was fair for the Mayor to assume what the Council would or would not support. Mayor Grant asked what items Councilmember Monson would like to cut from the budget. Councilmember Monson indicated she was interested in hearing what the Mayor would like to cut from the budget. Mayor Grant commented he was of the opinion the City would not spend 100% of every cost center. He noted last year the City underfunded the budget by $182,000. He suggested the levy increase be reduced to 13.5%, which would be an underfunding of $106,000. Councilmember Holden stated she could support this number. Mayor Grant stated the 2% decrease would offer residents some relief. He indicated it has been expressed to him by residents that the City was devaluing their homes by raising taxes. He appreciated the improvements the City was making in the community, which helps keep property values up. Councilmember Rousseau asked how a levy increase of 13.5% would impact the median value homeowner.