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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, September 10, 200'7 Page 12 discussion was related to the Parks and Recreation portion of the Gen- eral Fund. Councilmember Ihlan asked Mr. Miller to indicate the proposed total percentage increase to the tax levy resulting from the City Manager recommended budget at 15.7% and the proposed HRA levy budget levy. Mr. Miller estimated that the total levy increase would be approxi- mately 19%, representing an estimated $109/year, or $9/month in- crease to an average home with a 5% increase in their market value. Mayor Klausing opined that, it was his observation that percentage in- creases skewed actual costs and benefits of services and programs provided; and further opined that it was incumbent upon the City Council to identify those items being funded. Mayor Klausing noted that the City Manager's recommendations included many unfunded mandates and met requirements for OSHA; Imagine Roseville 2025 initiatives; complying with budget reserve policies; and encouraged Councilmembers and the public to look at actual dollars and impacts and implications of those dollars. Councilmember Kough noted increased costs for employee health care benefits that needed to be included in the levy proposal; in addi- tion to COLA increases; and overall contributions to all departments and to make the best out of what was available. Discussion included COLA at 3.5% in the City Manager recom- mended budget; peer municipalities and Stanton V comparisons; col- lective bargaining unit contract agreements, negotiations, and status of multi-year contract language and provisions; health insurance in- creases; non-disparities of non-union and union employees; and con- figuration of those employees covered by union agreements and those non-union employees. Councilmember Pust sought clarification from Mr. Miller on whether contract language included an escalator.