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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,December 05, 2011 Page 6 Gary Grefenberg,91 Mid Oaks Lane Mr. Grefenberg asked for clarification on the staff's memorandum (lines 47-50) dated December 5, 2011, and the actual effective year for servicing the 2011 bond issue of$10 million, and whether it would be included in 2012 tax impacts. Mayor Roe clarified that the debt service would begin in 2013, with the last bond issue repayment beginning in 2014; and clarified that the 2012 budget did not include financ- ing the $10 million bond sale already approved by the City Council, with repayments for the bonds structured to begin in 2013. Mr. Grefenberg expressed his concern that there was too much reliance in the City budget on property taxes; and applauded recent discussions on a proposed local option sales tax to share the costs for the City's park system and infrastructure with those using them be- yond Roseville residents. Mr. Grefenberg encouraged the City Council to put more atten- tion on alternative revenue sources; and opined staff's slide presentation was only part of the story. Mr. Grefenberg displayed his own interpretation of net tax levy comparisons he had personally researched with the Ramsey County Department of Property Records and Revenue for other communities, stating that the City of Roseville was only bested by that of the City of St. Paul. Mr. Grefenberg ranked those communities in order by pro- posed 2012 tax levy increased compared to their actual 2007 tax levy. Mr. Grefenberg addressed the City's reserve funds, which he called "surplus" funds; and based on his understanding from staff comments in the past, estimated that approximately $15 - $17 million could be made available through City Council discretion for use. Mr. Grefenberg opined that part of this surplus was due to water/sewer fees being increased over the last five (5) years for residents, and that the surplus was from unexpended funds that residents had been overcharged for those services; and that those funds could be used to soften the impact of the proposed 60% increase in utility fees. Mr. Grefenberg further opined that some of those surplus funds could be used for needed repairs in the City's park system, rather than relying on the most regressive type of tax, property taxes that were not based on income, when 25% of the Roseville population was aged 65 years or older and should not be relied upon to pay for park improvements. Without saying "no" to the future, Mr. Grefenberg opined that some of those reserve funds could be used to at least cover critical water sewer needs, while living without a few more ball fields or irri- gating them. Over the next year, Mr. Grefenberg asked that the City Council aggressively pursue a local sales tax option. Jim DeBenedet, 808 Millwood Avenue (Chair of PWET Commission) With respect to one line item as a potential keep in the General Fund budget, Mr. DeBenedet spoke in support of the$30,000 General Fund share for an Asset Management Program. Based on the scope of the City's responsibility in managing its significant as- sets and infrastructure system, Mr. DeBenedet opined that such a program was absolutely necessity going forward to make the right decisions and ensure sufficient, cost-effective,