Laserfiche WebLink
Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, September 9, 2013 <br /> Page 15 <br /> Councilmember Etten recognized the positions of other Councilmembers, but <br /> stood by his proposed motion, opining that it allowed more openness, serving to <br /> eventually reduce the 2015 levy compared to current projections. Councilmember <br /> Etten recognized that a number of the reserve funds were targeted toward specif- <br /> ics and not all available to spend, but opined that if the City Council chose to be <br /> upfront with the budget, it was appropriate to use those reserves as proposed. <br /> Councilmember McGehee concurred with the comments of Councilmember Et- <br /> ten; and questioned Finance Director Miller on the percentage of reserves were <br /> earmarked and targeted as to how they could be spent. <br /> Finance Director Miller clarified that all reserves were segregated in specific <br /> funds, with some legally restricted to certain applications, and estimated $5 mil- <br /> lion to be within those outside legal restrictions, with the rest having City Council <br /> discretion. Mr. Miller advised that the General Fund had $5.5 million in reserves, <br /> with the other reserves segregated for other City programs and services, and cau- <br /> tioned that any reduction in those reserves would serve to impact those opera- <br /> tions. <br /> At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Miller confirmed the reserve in <br /> the General Fund was at 42% of the current reserve policy range of 35 —45%.. <br /> Roll Call <br /> Ayes: McGehee and Etten. <br /> Nays: Laliberte, Willmus; Roe. <br /> Motion failed. <br /> Willmus moved, Roe seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 11092 (Attachment <br /> A) entitled, "Resolution Submitting the Preliminary Property Tax Levy on Real <br /> Estate to the Ramsey County Auditor for the Fiscal Year of 2014;" set at <br /> $14,328,721 for programs and services and $3,700,000 for debt service for a total <br /> tax-supported levy of$18,028,721. <br /> Amendment <br /> McGehee moved, Etten seconded, a friendly amendment to the motion to add an <br /> additional $50,000 to the levy specific to the CIP. <br /> Councilmember McGehee stated that she made this amendment, since 2 years <br /> ago, CIP funding was set at $275,000 and this would be an example of the City <br /> Council doing what they said it would do. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte agreed that CIP funding should remain on track to <br /> avoid the reinvestment/redevelopment cycle every ten (10) years as addressed by <br /> Mr. Miller. However, Councilmember Laliberte spoke in opposition to this <br /> amendment, as she had previously moved for the City Manager to provide a flat <br />