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