CC_Minutes_2013_1021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

DRAFT Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 21, 2013 Page 27 Councilmember McGehee noted that Councilmember Willmus had originally suggested using the CPI, which she thought was a good suggestion, as it provided a very organized and clean process going forward. Councilmember McGehee concurred with the comments of Mayor Roe in trying to pay a reasonable wage to keep employees whole, which she supported. Councilmember McGehee reiterat- ed that the concept of using the CPI seemed fine moving forward, since the 3.26% adjustment was looking back from the study done ten years before it, and the ad- justment was made. However, Councilmember McGehee reiterated her previous comments that now it was time to look forward; and spoke in support of looking at the previous year to move forward, putting the City on a good footing for the next year's budget cycle. Councilmember Willmus opined that, another component of this has been that an overall context discussion was pending on the budget and levy; and if required to make up his mind on this tonight, it would also require him to make a decision on the other items. Mayor Roe clarified that staff was not seeking a decision tonight, simply direction as noted in the RCA. Councilmember Laliberte advised that for her personally, she needed to know more about the other items for 2014. Councilmember Laliberte noted that Ram- sey County and several adjacent municipalities were proposing flat levies with no increases for 2014, and possibly for 2015. While understanding that the City of Roseville provided additional services compared to some of those municipalities, Councilmember Laliberte opined that she needed to have a better feel for the overall levy increase. Mayor Roe clarified that the proposed levy increase for 2014 was inclusive of the debt service. The 4.4% not-to-exceed Preliminary Levy adopted in September of 2013; including 1.4% exclusive of debt service. Mayor Roe further clarified that Ramsey County was able to project a zero percent levy increase based on their receipt of additional federal and state funding that they had not received be- fore; further clarifying that they were actually spending more,just not raising tax- es to do so. New Parks Maintenance Position (budgeted) Councilmember Etten opined that this position should remain in the budget; that it would bring the park system back up to what it had been in past decades; and serve to maintain existing and new items in the Park Renewal Program. At the request of Councilmember Laliberte, Mr. Miller clarified that this was the only new position that was tax-supported.