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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 17, 2006 <br /> <br />6 <br /> <br />Mr. Siddiqui stated that City staff has been working on the 2007 preliminary budget. In order to . <br />complete the preliminary budget, City staff is seeking City Council input regarding levy limits <br />for 2007. <br /> <br />Members of the City Council recommended a 4% levy for 2007. <br /> <br />Chief Financial Officer Murtuza Siddiqui requested guidance from the City Council regarding <br />the COLA salary increases for non-union staff members in 2007. At this time, the Local 4gers <br />are scheduled to receive a 2.75% increase in 2007. City staff is recommending a COLA increase <br />of2.75% for non-union employees. <br /> <br />Members of the City Council were agreeable to the proposed 2.75% COLA increase for 2007. <br /> <br />Mr. Siddiqui statcd that City staff has received preliminary numbers from our health insurance <br />providers for 2007. City staff is scheduled to meet with our health insurance broker next week to <br />discuss the proposed health and dental rates for 2007. At this time, the preliminary numbers are <br />for a 10% to 20% increase in health premiums and a 6% to 8% increase in dental rates. In 2006, <br />the City contributed $586.00 a month towards employee benefits. Recently, the City and <br />employees have evenly split the cost increase for employee benefits. <br /> <br />Members of the City Council requested that City staff meet with our insurance brokers and report <br />back to the City Council when we have more concrete numbers regarding the proposed health <br />and dental rates for next year. . <br /> <br />Mr. Siddiqui asked if City Councilmembers would be interested in including a future pay <br />increase for the Mayor and City Council positions in the 2007 budget. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant said that he would be an advocate for a pay increase. <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson said that he was comfortable with the existing salary. <br /> <br />Mayor Aplikowski said that it may be a good idea for the City Council to explore the possibility <br />of adjusting the pay rates for elected officials. <br /> <br />City staff will begin compiling information for the City Council to review regarding the pay rates <br />of City Council members in other communities. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden requested that the City budget $10,000 annually for Northwest Youth <br />and Family Services (NWYFS). <br /> <br />Assistant City Administrator Schawn Johnson said that charitable gambling revenues currently <br />cover the City's annual contribution to NWYFS. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant said that a problem could arise for the City if charitable gambling <br />revenues would decline and they would not be able to cover the City's contribution. . <br />