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City of Gem Lake City Council Meeting Minutes December 17, 2024 2 <br />These changes result in the city proposed preliminary tax levy of $718,736.00 for 2025. This compares to <br />2025 preliminary levy of $733,757.00 and 2024 final levy of $697,081.00. Using a 2025 property tax levy <br />of $718,736.00 and the City’s 2025 tax capacity ($1,809,157.00) and median valued home ($443,750.00) <br />for Gem Lake, that median valued home, would pay City property taxes of $1,680.37 in 2025 compared to <br />2025 preliminary levy of $1,725.55 (a decrease of $45.18) and the 2024 final levy amount of $1,529.81 (an <br />increase of $150.56). <br /> <br />Mayor Artig-Swomley informed those in attendance that the Council would begin with the Truth-in- <br />Taxation public hearing, and that they public would have a chance to provide input on the topic. <br />Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to open the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing at 7:14 p.m., <br />seconded by Councilmember Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br />One of the students in attendance asked how often the budget is redone? Every month? City Treasurer Tom <br />Kelly answered that it is completed annually and cannot go above the approved proposed budget in <br />October, but it can go down. <br /> <br />Another one of the students in attendance asked how are the increases determined? City Treasurer Tom <br />Kelly answered that the contracted cities set budgets and send those numbers to the City of Gem Lake and <br />those numbers are used to help budget for Gem Lake. A follow-up questions was asked if it was necessary <br />for Gem Lake to contract out these services instead of having its own police and fire? City Treasurer Tom <br />Kelly answered that it is more ethical for Gem Lake to contract it out to surrounding cities because the cost <br />of operating one out of such a small city would be very great. <br /> <br />Another one of the students in attendance asked what happens to the money if there is a surplus? City <br />Treasurer Tom Kelly answered that it would go back to the general fund, and it would be used to <br />supplement to help bring down the tax levy for the next year. <br /> <br />The public and Council had no other comment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to close the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing at 7:19 p.m., <br />seconded by Councilmember Amlee. Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br /> Resolution #2024-0028 Accepting 2025 Budget & Levy <br />The City Council is asked to approve (pass) Resolution #2024-0028, Adopting the Final 2025 <br />General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy. Councilmember Lindner introduced a motion to <br />approve the 2025 General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy, seconded by Councilmember <br />Johnson. Motion carried 4-0. <br /> <br />Consent Agenda <br /> <br /> Resolution #2024-0027 December 2024 Donation to White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf <br /> Resolution #2024-0029 Approving Operating Transfers for 2024 <br /> Resolution #2024-0030 SCORE Grant Funding 2025 <br /> Tobacco Licenses <br /> Resolution #2024-0031 Country Lounge Tobacco License 2025 <br /> Resolution #2024-0032 Smoke Den Tabacco & Vape Tobacco License 2025 <br /> Edible Cannabinoid Products License <br />Resolution #2024-0033 Smoke Den Tobacco & Vape Edible Cannabinoid Products License <br />2025 <br /> Liquor Licenses <br /> Resolution #2024-0034 Country Lounge Liquor Licenses 2025 <br /> Resolution #2024-0035 Gem Lake Hills Golf Course Liquor Licenses 2025 <br /> 2025 Annual Designation of City Official Depository <br /> 2025 LMCIT Liability Coverage Waiver Form <br /> Monthly Financial Report(s) <br /> Claims