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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 3 . . . $11,165 E, F. Net General Fund Impact Day in the Park Spending (Increase from $1,500 to $7,500) Net General Fund Impact County Road E Light Poles Net General Fund Impact Add Community Development Director Position Net General Fund Impact $6,000 $5,165 $60,000 ($54,835) $50,000 ($104,835) G, H. I. 1. K. Mr. Post noted that with the proposed levy increase of2,5% there would be two major items that could not be funded without some other revenue sources. These items were the County Road E Light Poles and the Community Development Director position. Mayor Probst asked if there was a forecast for the outcome of the 2000 budget. Mr. Post stated that he believed that there would be an operational surplus in the 2000 budget. Mayor Probst asked if the projected surplus will be enough to cover either of the two items identified as un-fundable for 2001. Mr. Post stated that when Mr. Stafford first proposed the light pole issues, Mr. Post's recommendation at that time had been that if the desire was to move forward with this project, this may be the year to do so. With regard to the Community Development Director position, Mr. Post stated that this was an ongoing expenditure that would impact the levy each subsequent year unless there was additional funding from other sources, Mayor Probst asked if the surplus from this year's budget could be carried over to next year to fund the County Road E light poles, Mr. Post stated that the City could dedicate the surplus dollars to the Capital Fund. He pointed out, however, that the City earlier became aware of another unbudgeted Capital Fund project, the new roof for the maintenance building, Councilmember Larson asked if it was known whether the special brackets will extend the life of the light poles, or ifthis was simply a short-term temporary fix, Mr. Post stated that Mr. Stafford has indicated that he felt comfortable with the brackets adding up to, but no more than 24 months of additional life to the poles, Councilmember Aplikowski stated that she had been concerned that the 2,5% levy increase would not be sufficient. She stated that rather than proposing a 3% increase she was almost desperate enough to suggest a 5% increase, which would provide an increase of approximately $100,000, She stated that, since the increase amount can be reduced, then the City should set the preliminary levy increase at 5%, Then, if it is found that a 5% increase is not nceded, then the numbcr can be reduced, She felt that it would be foolish for the City to not increase the levy to 5% with all that needs to be done next year, including the new City Hall which will incur extra costs, Mayor Probst noted that this issue will be discussed later in the meeting and that this portion of the agenda was simply an update on the proposed 2001 budget and preliminary levy.