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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—December 14, 2009 22 7C. Approve the 2010 Capital Improvement Plan; Motion to Adopt Resolution 2009-040 Adopting the Proposed 2010 Budget; Motion to Adopt Resolution 2009- 041 Setting the Final Levy for Taxes Payable in 2010 (continued) Councilmember McClung stated that with the purchase of the last two major pieces of equipment purchased by the fire department the City did not receive any type of credit for previous overpayments. There should have been some type of cost reduction for the cities. Mayor Harpstead clarified that the Council would like to review the fund balance policy and make sure that it is being applied properly. Councilmember Holden stated the budget was looked at in July, again in August, and again last month. There are a lot of wants versus needs in the budget but the residents are saying that they want benches in the parks and some of the parks fixed up. The Council did go through the CIP and took out a lot of wants. The Council reviewed each item so it is unfair to say that this was not looked at and pared down. What is being presented to the Council at this time is what the Council had agreed to. She would be willing to pare it down more if there are any ideas for this. Councilmember Holmes stated that the Council does need to be conscientious of the residents and their needs. According to the analysis the average change in taxes would be minimal; $24.00 per year. Residents are also saying that they do not want services such as snow plowing and park maintenance cut. Councilmember Grant stated in his analysis of his taxes since 2005 the $24.00 increase this year is more than half of the total $42.00 his taxes have been increased since 2005. This is a large increase in a year when there is deflation and high unemployment. Mayor Harpstead clarified that the total expenditures for the City have been level for the last three years. Some of what is being seen in the property taxes is a shift between the tax levy portion and the other revenue. The City has not had a robust permitting system or process this last year and these revenues are shorter. The Market Value Homestead Credit is in a different line as opposed to the levy line and there is a shift back and forth a little bit. As a person looks at the $24.00 versus $42.00 a person should look at the total dollars as well. This is a budget and as a body the Council will need to make decisions throughout the year about expenditures. There will be opportunities throughout the year for cost savings. Councilmember Holden stated that the levy contains revenue from fees and some of the fee schedules will be increased next year. Because there had not been a lot of