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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 10, 2025 3 <br />expenditures. General government makes up 23.3% of total General Fund expenditures, Parks and <br />Recreation make up 15.4% and Public Works makes up 12.8%. <br />Finance Director Yang shared a chart showing the 2026-2030 CIP, showing a five-year outlook <br />by department. The largest Capital expenditure is the PMP Street Project, making up 54% of total <br />projected expenditures. Parks makes up 16%, water makes up 10%, equipment makes up 6.7%, <br />and public safety is 6.5%. There have been no changes since the September 29 meeting. <br />Mayor Grant asked what raises the Parks number so high in 2027. He wondered if it was the <br />trail. <br />Finance Director Yang confirmed that includes the Old Highway 10 trail. <br />Mayor Grant asked if it includes the $1.22 million which is the City's share or the entire cost of <br />the project. <br />Finance Director Yang confirmed it includes the entire project. It's the total expenditures. <br />Finance Director Yang shared a listing of the 2026 Capital projects which have a total projected <br />cost of $6.1 million. She noted the items that were moved to a later year. <br />Finance Director Yang said there is no change to the Utility Funds, based on previous <br />discussions. The water rate is set at 4%, sewer at 3% and surface water is 6%. <br />Discussion ensued regarding the amount those rates were reduced from. <br />Finance Director Yang stated a comprehensive utility rate study was last completed in 2018. The <br />City revisits rates annually to ensure the long-term health of the funds to cover operations and <br />capital investments. <br />Finance Director Yang shared the tax impact of the 18.32% levy, based on a 2026 median <br />household of $496,400. The annual tax impact is $255. <br />Finance Director Yang shared a chart showing the City's tax levy changes over the past decade. <br />The tax levy has increased over the years, the City's tax rate has averaged 25.90% <br />Finance Director Yang said the 2025 City tax levy increase was 13.50%, the 2025 City Tax Rate <br />is 27.65%. We were the lowest among Ramsey County Cities. She noted that Ramsey County has <br />not published the 2026 preliminary levies. She will share that with Council when she receives it. <br />Finance Director Yang said setting a proposed levy for 2026 at 16.88% would mean a levy of <br />$7,045,829, or an increase of $1,017,817. This is an increase of $685,817 to the General Fund. It <br />includes the $850,817 under Total General Fund Costs and,the reduction of $165,000 from the <br />excess franchise fees. <br />Finance Director Yang said there is $332,000 in CIP Funds. Total CIP Fund costs include the <br />$152,000 plus the incremental PIR Fund amount of $180,000 that was passed during the <br />preliminary levy. <br />