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CITY OF GEM LAKE, MN 4200 Otter Lake Road Gem Lake, Minnesota 55110 City Council Members, Citizens and Others: It is my privilege to present the 2015 budget for the City of Gem Lake. This budget, as adopted by the City Council identifies how the City resources will be spent in 2015. This budget is the City's financial management plan and has been designed to be responsive to public service demands and for carrying out services over the coming year. The 2015 budget is the result of sound financial management, and affords some protection for the future operation of the City. It is the City's intent to submit and manage the budget in the most open and straightforward manner possible, which will allow consistent and careful management of all resources. The City continually faces many challenges which draw upon the resources and value judgments of all of us. The City budget focus has been to maintain services provided and existing infrastructure. Public safety remains a priority for the City and this budget includes expenditures for increased patrols and law enforcement. Also for 2015 the City has included in the budget $13,000 for updating and filing the City's MS4 Report (storm water management plan) to the State. The Ice and Snow Removal budget was decreased to reflect past expenditure levels. Also included in the 2015 budget are funds for the City to hire an Administrative Secretary position to staff the City offices and provide administrative assistance to the City Council. This task was previously provide through an agreement with the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department which ended in 2014. On the revenue side the largest revenue source is property taxes which make up almost 81 % of total revenues for the City. The City remains committed to maintaining the property tax levy possible. To that end the City will use reserves of $80,000 to fund General Fund operations in 2015. The 2015 property tax levy is increased 10.40% and the City's tax capacity also increase 3.76%, which results in a tax rate increase of 6.40% to 28.249%. Based on this most residents would see an increase in their City property tax bills from 2014 to 2015. As 2015 unfolds, the City is well positioned to meet current and future challenges through sound fiscal management. It is our hope this budget will meet the expectations and need of Gem Lake residents. My sincere thanks are extended to the City Council for their time and effort in the preparation of this document. Respectfully, Tom Kelly City Treasurer Look for us on the World Wide Web at gemlakemn.org