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Truth in Taxation pgs 1-8 Regular City Council Meeting pgs 9-15 Monday, December O1, 2008 Page 2 Mr. Miller advised that staff was hopeful that some energy-related and fuel impacts could be further reduced if prices continued their downturn, and with a joint purchasing con- tracting pending with other agencies. Mr. Miller advised that, due to economic realities facing cities, staff had felt it necessary to freeze all other budget categories to assist homeowners and ultimately the City in aggregate spending concerns. Mr. Miller further advised that the proposed budget impacts would include unknown inflationary results at this time (between 3.9 and 4-5%); stagnant non-tax revenues for the City's core services (i.e., Fire, Police and Street); funding for Imagine Roseville 2025 initiatives could not be fully or some even marginally implemented or initiated due to funding constraints; and the public would most see evidence of reduced service levels in street and park mainte- nance. Mr. Miller noted for the public's benefit, that increases being experienced by the City due to personnel and employee health care costs were not unique to the City of Roseville or others in the business community. Mr. Miller concluded his presentation by detailing the impacts to homeowners and com- parisons of the proposed 2009 Budget with other communities. Mr. Miller noted staff's and the City Council's cognizance of overall tax impacts to Roseville residents and homeowners. Mr. Miller provided comparison rates between Roseville, the State of MN, and nation-wide related to unemployment rates; and costs to typical homeowners living in Roseville as a benchmark for comparisons nation-wide. Mr. Miller suggested that the City Council solicit public comment and reflect over that over the next few weeks, rather than attempting to respond at tonight's Public Hearing. Following staff's presentation, Mayor Klausing opened the Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. for public comment. Public Comment Dick Lambert, 800 Brenner Avenue Mr. Lambert thanked all City Councilmembers for their service to the community; how- ever he expressed his concern about the historic cost of Roseville government and its continued growth. Mr. Lambert provided a bench handout, providing his research enti- tled, "History of Roseville Levy Increases vs. Resident Wage Increases." Mr. Lambert expressed his concern about his perceived disparity of wage earners and levy increases, and opined that the continued direction of levy increases was disturbing. Mr. Lambert asked that the City Council consider the City's budget as they would their individual budgets. Scott A. Ritchie - no address provided Mr. Ritchie explained, from his personal perspective, the concept of fixed incomes; pen- sion funds concerns during current economic times; and the realities he was dealing with from being on a fixed income. Mr. Ritchie noted that it had been declared that the nation was officially in a recession and he opined that it was only going to get worse, potentially lasting for 7-10 years before recovery was evidenced. Mr. Ritchie reminded Council- members of the earlier recession in the 1980's and the resulting inflation; and opined that,