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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,August 27,2012 Page 15 Ramalingam opined that it was unfortunate that City Manager Malinen was not present at tonight's meeting, as she had several questions to ask him; and he was apparently the person to whom those questions and concerns should be ad- dressed. Ms. Ramalingam opined that her concerns were very serious and the impacts of the proposed budget were costly. Tom Schroud, 1142 Rose Place Mr. Schroud noted that, while he had heard the many budget increases pro- posed, he had heard nothing on any spending cuts for 2013; and questioned if that was due to them not being significant enough to mention. Mr. Schroud had several questions: 1) Mr. Schroud noted that water and sewer base rates increased by 60-65% to pay for "new things;" and he considered that regressive taxation. Mr. Schroud stated that this was hitting the poorest people the hardest by in- creasing the base rate; and suggested instead that strong consideration be given to cutting the base rate and increasing service fees, so those using the service paid for it. Mr. Schroud opined that those trying to save every pen- ny could do little to reduce their expenses when the base rate was raised. 2) Mr. Schroud opined that a position at the License Center had been vacant since 2008 and the City had gotten by so far, maybe another position should be eliminated. To suggest that the City was losing income by cutting a per- son was, in Mr. Schroud's opinion, "stupid." Mr. Schroud opined that there were not enough additional Roseville residents or businesses in the City that would justify increased staffing at the License Center; and if the City had gotten by so far, he suggested that it continue to do so. With no one else from the public appearing to speak to the 2013 Budget, Mayor Roe closed the Public Hearing at approximately 7:33 p.m. Mayor Roe thanked residents for their comments; and reiterated the additional opportunities coming up over the next few months. In an attempt to clarify several comments, Mayor Roe noted that License Center staffing was not based on more staff equaling more income; but more work re- quiring more staff; and generation of income with more transactions being pro- cessed. Regarding comparisons based on the current peer group, Mayor Roe suggested that this suggestion made sense for further review and discussion by the City Council at a future meeting. For clarification, Councilmember Johnson asked staff to address how peer cities had been identified; and to address allegations made that those cities were not similar to Roseville.