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Regular City CouncillVleeting Monday, September 14, 2015 Page 26 Mayor Roe noted the need to certify soinething for the RHRA levy to Ramsey County until it had been officially dissolved. Councilmember Etten stated his support of the overall City Manager recommend- ed budget and levy increase in general, representing important investments in cap- ital improvements, and retaining a relatively low operating budget. Councilmein- ber Etten opined that by malcing these key investments in the CIP, it addressed important recommendations made by the Finance Coinmission; and further ex- pressed his appreciation for the key investments in personnel that would occur as part of this budget. Similar to Councilmember McGehee, Councilmember Laliberte noted that she had several questions between now and the final budget and levy adoption in De- cember, particularly with carryover funds not yet expended which would be more refined closer to yearend. Councilmeinber Laliberte noted that, while requested additional personnel did not have a huge impact on the levy and operating budget since soine of the positions would be funded in [other] ways other than with the General Fund, she still had concerns with the continued upward growth of that operating budget. Councilmember Laliberte stated that she was fully supportive of the CIP and asset needs to be financed and with whatever preliminary levy was adopted tonight. However, Councilmeinber Laliberte stated that she may be less supportive on the operating side as the process moves along. Regarding the RHRA levy, Councilmember Laliberte agreed that the City Council should take action to certify zero dollars to Ramsey County to be clear on what was being done. Councihnember Laliberte noted that the RHRA clearly had sufficient funds from property sales and other resources regenerating from past expenditures to support their function going forward. � Mayor Roe asked if there was a inechanism to certify an HRA levy inidyear to Ramsey County or if it would be necessary to wait until the following tax year. City Manager Trudgeon advised that the course wouldbe to wait; with the options of an internal loan and return of levy dollars after the fact. Mayor Roe noted the availability of reserve funds as an option, in addition to the PA levy as well that may or may not get added to the City levy —depending on further research and analysis. Mayor Roe noted the need to clearly explain those funding options going forward with a new inodel for public information and transparency purposes. In the initial creation of the RHRA, Councilmember Willmus noted that it was created midyear and had been initially funded through an interfund loan.