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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, December 06, 2010 <br /> Page 12 <br /> RCA) appeared to total an approximate aggregate amount of 4 and sought an <br /> estimate from Mr. Miller on how much was related to healthcare increases. <br /> Mr. Miller estimated that $60- 70,000 was health -care insurance- related, with the <br /> rest PERA. <br /> Councilmember Pust clarified that PERA was a statutory requirement, not within <br /> local control; and that healthcare was within local control, and had been kept <br /> down to the extent possible; and opined that during her tenure, she had never seen <br /> an annual increase as low as had been achieved for 2011. Councilmember Pust <br /> noted that the only thing within the City's discretion was the 1% COLA and step <br /> increases. Councilmember Pust, for the benefit of comments received during the <br /> Public Hearing, reiterated that pension benefits were mandated by law; and that <br /> health care costs were at the lowest and best rates possible to achieve. <br /> Line 22 and 23 (RCA) <br /> In reviewing the list of new tax levy dollars, Councilmember Ihlan noted her con- <br /> cerns with increasing the tax levy for replacing revenue reduction in market value <br /> homestead credit aid ($25,000) and replacing revenue reduction in interest earn- <br /> ings, court fines, and other state aids, and surplus monies from the License Center <br /> ($218,660). Councilmember Ihlan noted the comments heard regarding the poor <br /> economy, low property values and high unemployment, and reduced wages, in- <br /> cluding no COLA for Social Security recipients given the large senior population <br /> in Roseville; as well as the overall business climate; and suggested that it wasn't <br /> prudent to raise taxes to facilitate lost revenue as may be possible during better <br /> economic times. Councilmember Ihlan opined that specifically the $25,000 <br /> seemed an insignificant amount that could be found from other revenue sources or <br /> budget cuts. <br /> Ihlan moved. Pust seconded (for discussion purposes), to remove $25,000 and <br /> $218,660 as above referenced from the 2011 tax levy and budget. <br /> Councilmember Pust sought additional information from Mr. Miller on court fine <br /> revenue. <br /> Mr. Miller expressed hope that projections would be better, but based on current <br /> trending, the level or arrests and/or prosecutions revenue was down. <br /> City Attorney Gaughan concurred with Mr. Miller, noting from an anecdotal point <br /> of view for prosecution, while their case load had not diminished, they were see- <br /> ing Ramsey County judges being more cognizant of people coming through the <br /> system in the current economy and their ability to pay being diminished, with <br /> fines reduced accordingly over the past few years. <br />