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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,August 25, 2014 <br /> Page 28 <br /> no problem showing that information on this document, since the onus would then <br /> be on the City Council to have this discussion during the annual budget cycle; and <br /> therefore stated that he would support the motion. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte stated that she found the idea of a property tax relief <br /> fund as proposed very amenable, as it was very transparent and would be con- <br /> sistent to move funds in accordance with the Finance Commission's policy rec- <br /> ommendation, and if there were excess funds, they should be clearly transparent <br /> and contained within one fund for the purpose of tax relief; and therefore she was <br /> comfortable in retaining the statement on this document. Councilmember <br /> Laliberte expressed her interest in a transparent policy statement for the benefit of <br /> the public to show how and when those funds can be used, turned around or re- <br /> funded. <br /> Councilmember McGehee concurred with the comments of Councilmembers <br /> Willmus and Laliberte, opining they were similar to what she had stated. For the <br /> most part, Councilmember McGehee stated that she had no problem with the in- <br /> tent of the document; however, she did oppose the motion as stated specifically <br /> for property tax relief, since a property tax relief fund was a policy statement, and <br /> the body had yet to whether excess reserve funds would be used to cover CI <br /> shortfalls. Without a specific policy laid out, Councilmember McGehee opined <br /> that it would be too easy from one budget cycle to another to change directions; <br /> and until a policy was adopted incorporating the three recommendations of the <br /> Finance Commission, she found it premature, even though she agreed in general <br /> to the intent, but found the matter of semantics problematic. <br /> Mayor Roe clarified that this document and the aggregate reserve line was only a <br /> line on a table, and not powerful enough to force the City Council to commit to <br /> use of 100% of reserves for property tax relief; and further clarified that it was <br /> never intended as such. However, Mayor Roe opined that the three options pro- <br /> vided by the Finance Commission were not part of this document, but would be <br /> another action, and now showing on this chart. <br /> Roll Call <br /> (Motion incorporating aggregate reserve note) <br /> Ayes: Willmus, Laliberte and Roe. <br /> Nays: Etten and McGehee. <br /> Motion carried. <br /> c. Review Housing Redevelopment Authority Levy Request for 2015 <br /> Community Development Director Paul Bilotta briefly reviewed the HRA Levy <br /> Request for 2015, as detailed in the RCA dated August 25, 2014, and bench <br /> handout providing a notated comparison 2014 and 2015 budget for Fund 723. <br /> The HRA adopted their preliminary levy by resolution at their August 19, 2014 <br /> prior to this presentation to the City Council; seeking a maximum levy of <br />