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cityofardenhills.org • Nov. 2024 • 1 <br />The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents November 2024 <br />Truth in Taxation Hearing Scheduled for December 9 <br />Planning for Rice Creek Commons <br />continues with the Joint <br />Development Authority (JDA) and <br />the County and City project staff <br />focusing on the next steps for <br />infrastructure development, green <br />energy standards, and an updated <br />development agreement with Alatus. <br />As previously covered in the August/ <br />September newsletter, the JDA <br />recently approved the pursuit of LEED <br />for Communities for the RCC project. <br />Based on that recommendation, <br />the Energy Advisory Committee <br />has been working with energy <br />consultants from LHB and Ever-Green <br />Energy to advance the green energy <br />vision. At the Oct. 7 JDA meeting, <br />Ever-Green Energy reviewed the <br />green energy vision and presented <br />scenarios for thermal energy <br />solutions to implement that vision, <br />including a potential community <br />district energy system. The JDA <br />will review the energy analysis and <br />recommendations in the coming <br />weeks for further discussion at <br />the Nov. 4 work session to finalize <br />sustainability design guidelines and <br />determine a plan for carbon-free <br />energy options such as thermal <br />energy solutions and solar. <br />The County is working in partnership <br />with Alatus on the planned <br />construction timeline and phasing <br />for the spine road and overall <br />mass grading to accommodate <br />planned private development <br />phasing and ensure the public and <br />private development work is closely <br />coordinated. A revised preliminary <br />layout for the spine road is scheduled <br />to be completed this winter, with <br />final design plans and specifications <br />expected by the end of 2025. Pending <br />full funding, construction of the Spine <br />Road would begin in the spring of <br />2026, with completion in the fall of <br />2027. <br />For the most up-to-date information, <br />please watch the City’s website, JDA <br />meetings, and the project page at <br />ricecreekcommons.com. <br />The City will hold a Truth-in-Taxation <br />Hearing on Monday, December 9, <br />at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council <br />Chambers. The proposed 2025 <br />General Fund expenditure budget is <br />$6,745,489, with a preliminary tax <br />levy increase of 15.50%, setting a <br />maximum levy at $6,134,231. Despite <br />this increase, Arden Hills remains <br />among the lowest taxed cities in <br />Ramsey County. This amount may be <br />reduced before the end of the year <br />but cannot be increased. <br />The proposed levy increase goes to <br />support the following: <br />• General inflation <br />• Increased cost for typical City <br />operations, such as street <br />maintenance and election <br />services <br />• Increased Public Safety <br />costs: <br /> <br />o Increased charges for <br />policing services from the <br />Sheriff’s Office <br /> <br />o Increased costs for fire <br />protection from the Lake <br />Johanna Fire Department <br />• Increases for employee <br />costs, such as wage <br />(as a result of a recent <br />compensation and class <br />study) and cost of living <br />adjustments, health <br />insurance costs, and other <br />benefits <br />Based on the preliminary values, <br />the City’s share of property taxes <br />would increase by $211 annually <br />on a median-valued home, which is <br />projected to value $480,900 in 2025. <br />Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Update