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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 17, 2008 Page 14 tified as budget impacts creating a property tax increase; and further opin- ing that she didn't believe the City Council should increase taxes to pay for outside consultants, and that she would consider some other way to work funds into the budget. Mayor Klausing, before proceeding with Council discussion, opened the meeting for public comment. Public Comment John Kysylyczyn, 3083 N Victoria Street Mr. Kysylyczyn commented on his personal tax notice received in the mail; asked why he was unable to access the 2009 proposed budget on line; and, provided comment on individual Councilmember suggestions. Ihlan moved, Roe seconded, removal of the $100,000 allocation for Park System Master Planning; specifically to remove this item from any prop- erty tax levy increase. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of the motion, while recognizing the need for master planning; opining that it should be considered as a one- time cost with reserves used for funding. Councilmember Roe advised that, after reviewing the City's portion of the recently-mailed tax statements and it being the highest, he had changed his perspective considerably. Councilmember Roe noted that the City's tax base growth had not grown to the level previously anticipated. Councilmember Willmus echoed Councilmember Roe's comments; opin- ing that reserves could be utilized in this instance, and that he would sup- port doing so in this case. Councilmember Ihlan clarified that the specific motion was to remove the allocation from the tax levy, not to authorize use of reserves, which she advised that she would not support. Mayor Klausing spoke in opposition to the motion, opining that this repre- sented acommon trap that Council fell into, and the need to make hard choices for funding proposals, and further diminishing reserves or defer- ring expenditures, only creating additional problems for future Councils to grapple with. Mayor Klausing noted that staff had provided several good recommendations and options for paying actual costs of the RFP for park planning.