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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—DECEMBER 8, 2025 9 revenue projections but stated it was safe to say the City's revenues could be increased by $60,000 which would lower the levy by 1%. Councilmember Weber asked why the Mayor believed revenues were projected $60,000 lower. Mayor Grant stated revenues were a projection and he understood there was one large project on the horizon and larger projects help the City's revenues. Councilmember Weber explained he was not interested in underfunding the budget for 2026. He explained he could support moving forward with a reasonable and justified budget and tax levy increase that would keep the City solvent. Councilmember Rousseau reported the Mayor supported reducing the levy by at least 1% and Councilmember Monson and Councilmember Weber supported reductions also. She suggested the EDA levy be omitted and recommended the INET expenditure be paid down through the surplus. Councilmember Weber reported using the surplus would reduce the 2026 budget. He stated he would be willing to cover the INET expenditure through the surplus. Councilmember Holden stated the capital improvement fund has deficits over the next 10 years. She indicated Ramsey County was changing the formula for what the City pays for sidewalks and trails on County roads. She discussed how the PIR Fund would be needed to cover placeholder items in the future but noted none of the items listed were guaranteed purchases. She explained she was uncertain that should be able to approve the $300,000 loader expenditure. Councilmember Weber questioned if the PIR Fund covered the purchasing of equipment. Finance Director Yang reported the City had a separate fund for equipment. Councilmember Weber inquired if the $300,000 loader was included in this budget. Finance Director Yang stated the $300,000 loader was not included in the 2026 budget. Mayor Grant commented this Council would need to have more detailed discussions regarding the PIR Fund in early 2026. Councilmember Monson strongly disagreed with the Mayor's comment noting the Council has been discussing the future of the PIR Fund. She explained she supported Councilmember Rousseau's recommendation to move forward with the tax levy at 12.97%. She stated she would like to put a motion on the floor to this effect because she had to leave the meeting in ten minutes. She was of the opinion the Council should be able to run its meetings and be done by 9:00 p.m. Councilmember Holden stated she would like the summary to be from the Mayor and that she knows Councilmember Monson is in a hurry. Mayor Grant said he knows Councilmember Monson is in a hurry and he's sorry she has to go.