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Truth in Taxation pgs 1-8 Regular City Council Meeting pgs 9-15 Monday, December Ol, 2008 Page 3 in view of those facts, this was the wrong time to be proposing a property tax increase of any magnitude. Mr. Ritchie advised that it would be more prudent for the City to deter- mine ways to economize, specifically in the personnel areas. Mr. Ritchie noted that the City's employees received competitive wages, but some taxpayers had no jobs, and un- employment rates were continuing to grow. Mr. Ritchie questioned if City employees were going to leave the City of Roseville for other jobs due to being asked to sacrifice substantial cost of living adjustments (COLA). Mr. Ritchie opined that the City had dif- ficult decisions to make related to upcoming budgets; and further opined that City em- ployees should also make economies as others were being forced to do. Mr. Ritchie expressed gratitude that fuel costs were apparently going down; however, he questioned what economies were being attempted with the holiday lighting around the OVAL, and questioned why this luxury was being continued at this time, placing a drain on the City. Mr. Ritchie also requested that the City look seriously at bringing down the proposed levy increase. Mr. Ritchie opined that this was only the beginning of years of budget constraints, but suggested that the City Council needed to take immediate action to reduce the levy to reduce impacts on overall budgets for Roseville taxpayers; and con- sider its taxpayers during their deliberations. Don Oren, 3105 Sandy Hook Drive Mr. Oren concurred with the previous speaker; noting from an employer point of view, he had been forced to let employees go over the last few months. Mr. Oren advised that he objected to anything going up in price, not just taxes, opining that this was just the wrong time for such action. Mr. Oren further opined that taxpayers were in a bad spot, and he couldn't fathom why the City Council would be entertaining a tax increase at this time; but rather should be finding ways to economize just like everyone. Susan Conley, 3138 Lake Owasso Ms. Conley noted that 1/3 of the homes in MN are currently in foreclosure. Ms. Conley opined that while Roseville was blessed to be below that figure, with the current financial situation, she opined that she expected that percentage to increase further. Ms. Conley opined that, since 2000, wages had not kept pace with inflation, and had actually gone down based on government statistics. Ms. Conley further opined that this was just the beginning of terrible economic times and a downturn in the retail sector; and that any tax increase would put a tremendous burden on property owners. Ms. Conley discussed her personal market value on her property; and opined that any increase in taxes could serve to place property owners on the brink of foreclosure over the edge. Ms. Conley further opined that we each had an obligation to help each other through this time, and asked the City Council's help in doing so as well. Garry Anderson, Skillman Avenue Mr. Anderson reviewed his personal home valuation decreasing, while his proposed tax levy for the City of Roseville was increasing by 12%. Mr. Anderson advised that many taxpayers were on pensions. Mr. Anderson opined that, similar to recent actions taken by