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City Council Special Study Session — 09/09/04 DRAFT Minutes - Page 6 proposed budget and implications. City Manager Beets noted that the action to adopt the Preliminary 2005 Budget and Levy was the basis for the Truth in Taxation Notice publications by Ramsey County and the Public Hearings to be held in December. Councilmember Ihlan sought clarification on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Levy and Budget. Finance Director Miller noted that the HRA Levy was completely outside this levy. Mayor Klausing acknowledged that the Council could set a maximum levy in September, but noted that tough choices still remained and would become more difficult to make. Mayor Klausing encouraged Councilmembers to consider 1) What can we live with; and 2) Where are areas to reduce expenses or increase revenues? Mayor Klausing opined that, while public input was valuable, the City Council was still the ultimate policy-maker and was obligated to the community-at-large to make the tough decisions, determine the best course and realize the impact to the community of those decisions. Councilmember Maschka reiterated his opinion, from public feedback, that the support was there to maintain the current quality of life for Roseville. Mayor Klausing polled the Council for consensus on a 10% preliminary levy increase as recommended by Councilmember Maschka. Councilmembers Ihlan and Maschka, and Mayor Klausing were supportive; Councilmember Schroeder was not supportive of the proposed increase. Mayor Klausing noted that, he was not entirely comfortable with another 10% levy increase, above and beyond the 10% already applied for the referendum; further noting that he wanted to be sensitive to the fixed income of many residents and their assets tied up in home ownership; the probable increases from the School District and County on homeowner taxes as well; and questioned where other cuts could be made.