CC_Minutes_2008_1215 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 15, 2008 Page 29 Councilmember Ihlan proposed looking at further reductions in the HRA levy; by not authorizing a levy this year as an option to achieve a zero percent levy in- crease, rather than impacting personnel, and without having to consider the per- sonnel-related recommendations of the City Manager in staff's December 15, 2008 report. Roe moved, Willmus seconded, reducing the 2009 budget for vehicle and equip- ment purchases by $340,000. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of the motion, opining that if monies were not going to be set aside, spending should be reduced accordingly. Mr. Miller suggested Councilmembers not specifically identifying which vehicle and/or equipment expenditures be reduced, allowing staff to further discuss priori- ties and overall operational impacts. Roll Call ` Ayes: Ihlan; Willmus; Pust; Roe; and Klausing. Nays: None. Klausing moved, Roe seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 10674 entitled, "Resolution Submitting the Final Property Tax Levy on Real Estate to the Ram- sey County Auditor for the Fiscal Year of 2009;" as amended from the previous levy amount of $13,478,860 minus the $340,000 for a new levy amount of $13,138,860. Councilmember Ihlan spoke against the motion, opining that the City Council had not gone as far as they could in reducing the budget and levy for 2009. In regard to the HRA Levy, Councilmember and HRA Council Liaison Pust indi- cated that an additional $142,500 could not be removed from their proposed final budget without further line by line item analysis, and that the HRA didn't have the ability to perform that analysis at this late date. Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her frustration that the City Council didn't have the ability to reduce the HRA levy by whatever amount they so chose; opining that the HRA should be able to operate activities in 2009 with their cash on hand. Councilmember Pust clarified that the City Council did indeed have that right; however, noted the impacts to the HRA for outstanding loans and the Har Mar Apartment project. Councilmember Roe spoke in support of the motion; opining that the Council was able to accomplish a substantial amount with their previous action.