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Regular City Couneil Meeting Monday, September 10, 2007 Page 10 quested Council action tonight that would provide for their action on four resolutions: three related to the City's preliminary 2008 not-to- exceed Levy, Budget and Debt Service Levy, and one related to the City's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) 2008 not-to- exceed Levy, under procedures outlined by Ramsey County. Discussion focused on property tax-supported programs in the Gen- eral Fund, and included: compliance with Cotimcil-adopted fiscal and budget policies; sustainable asset replacement funding mechanisms; safety-related and OSHA-required equipment purchases; reservation of current programs and service levels and initiation of Imagine Rose- ville 2025 vision goals and strategies. Budget impacts included Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for City employees; employee wage step increases depending on experi- ence and skills, and as merited; employee healthcare increases; state Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA)-mandated in- creases; general insurance premium increases; general building re- pairs; information systems replacement; pathway/boulevard mainte- nance; capital replacements; addition of two additional full-time equivalent (FTE) employees for street and maintenance departments; and motor fuel and energy cost increases. The City Manager recommended budget would increase the tax levy in 2008 by $1,835,000 or a 15.7% increase over 2007; and fora typi- cal home valued at $235,000, would increase those property taxes an estimated $92.00 annually, or $7.67 per month. Councihnember Roe initiated discussions related to inclusion of the Taxpayer Reduction Fund in General Fund assets and implications to the General Fund Reserves; phasing of $250,000 annually for five years for asset replacement fund reserves; and other initiatives to comply with Council-adopted policies. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of not increasing the levy to achieve policies or meet objectives; but to apply $2 million to that gap by transferring funds.