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<br />Special City Council Minutes - 09/09/02 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka asked Finance Director Miller a <br />series of questions regarding staffing and tax capacity. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough commented about residents living on <br />fixed incomes; the Public Safety and Public Works projects; <br />and compromising. <br /> <br />Councilmember Maschka how Councilmember Kough's <br />proposed estimated $150,000 levy cut would be accomplished <br />and expressed concern that if reserves were reduced, it would <br />further stress the system; spoke to the anticipated 20 - 25 % <br />employee health and dental insurance premium increases, <br />pending union contract negotiations, and cost of living salary <br />increases. Councilmember Maschka further addressed the level <br />and stability of reserves, representing half of the City's annual <br />budget, which was in his opinion a good historical and forward <br />thinking plan, and also commented on reduced interest rates. <br /> <br />Councilmember Klausing commented on levy rates versus <br />inflation rates, and decreases in overall City taxes paid by <br />Roseville residents. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schroeder suggested that a levy reduction be <br />financed through the Tax Reduction Fund, and voiced his <br />concern in using General Debt Service Funds to buy down the <br />levy. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough suggested that departments tighten <br />their belts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Klausing commented on the number of months <br />spent preparing the budget and levy figures, with Council now <br />considering eliminating another $147,000 from it, requiring <br />reducing expenditures from somewhere. Councilmember <br />Klausing suggested that the preliminary levy stand at the <br />previously adopted 1.65% increase, with the next two months <br />spent fine-tuning additional reductions prepared as options by <br />staff. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kough asked for City Manager Beets' input on <br />