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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - December 8, 2008 <br /> <br />22 <br /> <br />Finance Director Iverson stated that if the City did not levy to the full amount this <br />year there was an opportunity to raise the levy next year. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant clarified that if the City did not levy the extra I % this year <br />they would not get that same 1 % next year. <br /> <br />Finance Director Iverson stated that this was correct. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that $27,000 out of $2,961,000 was a small amount <br />to consider. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated that he would agree with Councilmember Grant <br />and that the levy should be set lower. He would support a levy of 4.9% but not a <br />maXImum. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead asked Councilmember Grant what the dollar amount he was <br />looking to cut out was. <br /> <br />Finance Director Iverson stated that a 4.9% levy would be $2,934,418 which <br />would be a decrease of$27,576. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes agreed that the City wants to do what they can to help the <br />residents of the City but the amount that Arden Hills charges is a small amount and <br />the cuts that are being proposed would not make a significant impact for the <br />residents. She also stated that the City owes it to the residents to have the funds <br />available if the State does cut the Market Value Homestead Credit. This would <br />ensure that the City does not have to cut programs that the residents have been <br />asking for. <br /> <br />MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember McClung <br />seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution 2008-063: A Resolution <br />Setting the Final Levy for Taxes Payable in 2009 in the Amount of <br />$2,934,418 for a levy amount of 4.9%. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that the amount of the difference is small in the <br />relation to the amount of the budget and will not be a significant impact for the <br />residents. Simply asking for the maximum increase when there are items in the <br />budget that could be reduced and the City has not spent all of last years budget is <br />setting a budget that is based on fear. <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead stated that he would be voting against the motion. He stated <br />that he admired Councilmember Holmes' comments and that the City owes it to the <br />