10-11-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 27, 2021 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 5 FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT 11. Adopt 2022 Preliminary Tax Levy – Resolution No. 7218 Finance Director Olson gave a presentation on Agenda Items 11 and 12 stating they have been working on the budget since May. Tonight, they set the preliminary tax levy which sets a maximum and cannot increase after this evening but can be decreased. The final levy and budget will be adopted at a meeting on December 6, 2021. Public input will be allowed before final adoption at the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:00 p.m. on December 6, 2021. He shared revenue sources, noting this increase in the property tax levy will not increase the property tax rate. Mr. Olson noted property taxes are 53% of the General Fund budget which is a fairly low number compared to surrounding cities, some of which are 82-83%. He walked the City Council through the line item changes and explained each one. Seals stated se was approached about potentially increasing the Golf Course budget by $10,000 to do marketing. She is in support of it because it is paying for itself; she wants to bring it up to the group as they don’t typically have a lot of marketing of the golf course. Mayor Walsh thinks they should bring the City Council a plan and explain the marketing proposal. Edwards noted if there are increased revenues, the Golf Course could bring a marketing plan to the City Council and those funds were authorized. Mr. Olson continued the presentation, comparing the average City property tax distribution in the State of Minnesota (29%) to the City of Orono (15%). He showed the 2022 proposed tax levy and budget on screen and explained each line item including the General Fund, Facilities Fund, Pavement Management, and Parks. Printup moved, Seals seconded, to approve the Resolution 7218 to adopt 2022 Preliminary Tax Levy and Resolution 7219 to adopt 2022 Preliminary General Fund Budget. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 12. ADOPT 2022 PRELIMINARY GENERAL FUND BUDGET – RESOLUTION NO. 7219 CITY ATTORNEY REPORT 13. CITY ATTORNEY LEGAL SERVICES RATE INCREASE This item was added to the Consent Agenda. CITY ADMINISTRATOR/ENGINEER REPORT Edwards shared the previous week was the Big Island Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, it was successful and a good mark to end the project. Regarding communications, Edwards and the City Clerk are reviewing the various communications systems starting with the website and filing systems within the City.