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City Council Regular Meeting — 04/24/06 <br />DRAFT Minutes - Page 37 <br />12. Establish General Priorities for the 2007 City Budget <br />Finance Director Chris Miller reviewed past Council discussions <br />regarding establishing general priorities for the 2007 Budget, <br />specifically identification of any specific programs or services <br />that should receive more or less emphasis. Mr. Miller addressed <br />the multiple functions within particular departments for <br />programs and services; and requested direction from the City <br />Council regarding an acceptable level of increase to the property <br />tax levy and user charges, at an inflationary type increase, or <br />another amount desired by the City Council. <br />Discussion included general priorities; potential categories or <br />obligations coming off the 2007 budget; additional spending <br />obligations replacing reduced or eliminated spending obligations; <br />probable assumptions; and additional tax values through <br />increased taxes and new development, anticipated by Ramsey <br />County and the Community Development staff at approximately <br />10 — 15% and that spread to the overall tax base estimated at $4 <br />billion. <br />CouncilmemberKough requested projections for union and non- <br />union salary negotiations; cost of living adjustments; health care <br />costs; development improvements at the Twin Lakes <br />development; and any anticipated additional revenues from that <br />project to offset taxes. <br />Mr. Miller noted that when the Twin Lakes development begins <br />to develop, while generating additional fees, it will require added <br />staff costs to facilitate project reviews and inspections; with any <br />additional revenues going into the Community Development <br />Fund, not the City's General Fund. <br />Councilmember Kough again addressed his concerns regarding <br />numerous contract maintenance currently outsourced (i.e,, tree <br />trimming, electrical inspections, building custodial maintenance) <br />and questioned if these contracts were necessary, rather than <br />using an on-call basis for needed services. <br />Mayor K�ausing refocused discussion to establishing general <br />Establish General <br />Priorities for the <br />2007 City Budget <br />