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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 17, 2007 Page 15 11. i. Adopt Resolutions Approving the Fina12008 Budget and Taz Levy Finance Director Chris Miller referenced the staff report dated December 17, 2007 and required actions of the City Council in accordance with County Auditor submissions. Councilmember Roe suggested that early in the next budget cycle (2009, consid- eration be given to setting targets for levy increases based on the overall picture, including reviewing trends, changes in property values, and inflationary issues. Discussion included single-family home median values; market values; assessed values; 2006 versus 20071evy increase comparisons; and increased personnel and operational costs. Roe moved, Klausing seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 10582 entitled, "Resolution Submitting the Final Property Tax Levy on Real Estate to the Ram- sey County Auditor for the Fiscal Year of 2008;" representing a tax levy of $12,896,360." Councilmember Roe expressed appreciation to staff in their willingness to reduce their original levy recommendations; and opined that this proposed budget and levy represented a responsible levy increase, even though recognizing that it was higher than the rate of inflation as he would have preferred, but would bring the City back up to pace to correct past deferrals. Councilmember Ihlan presented, as a bench handout, a memorandum authored by her, dated December 7, 2007, detailing her personal suggestions for reducing the proposed tax levy increase. Subsequent motions were made, and rationale for each, as detailed in the memorandum was verbally outlined by Councilmember Ihlan. Ihlan moved, Kough seconded, allocation of $250,000 for capital replacements and information systems from reserve funds, rather than through the tax levy (Councilmember Ihlan's memo item #1). Mayor Klausing expressed his concern, procedurally, with governing and present- ing proposals for public consumption at the "11`f' hour;" noting that budget dis- cussions had been held throughout the year, based on the budget calendar adopted in June of 2007, with the express purpose of avoiding such an issue. Mayor Klausing further noted that staff had encouraged individual Councilmembers, and the Council as a whole, with numerous opportunities and alternatives, to provide their suggestions even as late as November. Mayor Klausing strongly encouraged that the City Council develop greater discipline in working together throughout the budget process.