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• <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />TRUTH -IN- TAXATION MEETING <br />Monday, December 6, 2010 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Bailey indicated she would be happy to meet with city staff and the police department to discuss the types <br />of conflicts they handle. In 2009, there were 16 cases that were referred to mediation, and in 2010, 14 <br />cases were referred. Bailey noted their organization is listed on the City's web site. <br />White noted the City had requested information from Community Mediation Services prior to the budget <br />being finalized but did not receive any response. That amount was then taken out of the budget and any <br />funding would require special council consideration. <br />Bailey indicated they were unable to provide that information earlier due to a problem with their data <br />base. <br />McMillan asked if those cases were Orono related. <br />Bailey indicated they keep their statistics by zip code and that those numbers may include Orono, <br />Minnetonka Beach, Long Lake, and Crystal Bay. <br />Bremer indicated it is likely that people serviced by the Orono Police Department were given that <br />information. Bremer noted they had requested information a couple of times and did not receive <br />anything. Bremer commented there are a number of good options available for this type of service and <br />that the City Council should look at it prior to the adoption of the final budget. <br />Elizabeth Levang, 4010 Bayside, asked for additional information on the one percent increase that will go <br />• to all employees. <br />Olson stated the one percent increase would go to all nonunion employees but that the police would be <br />under a different contract. <br />Levang asked if there is a cost associated with arbitration. <br />Olson indicated there is and that there is no guarantee the City will win. <br />Esau stated the cost of the increase in salaries is ongoing and will go up every year. The post <br />employment benefit packages based on compensation also continues to increase. Esau suggested that the <br />City have a payroll freeze and go on a flat budget. Esau pointed out federal employees are not getting an <br />increase. Esau stated he understands a one percent increase is nominal but that it does send a message to <br />the residents. <br />White noted employees have also experienced increased health costs and other costs. White stated Orono <br />is not a high salary city and that they are at the bottom half of the cities as it relates to tax increases. <br />Orono's employees are not paid like federal employees and they do not have life -long benefits. <br />Esau stated from his perspective it would be a good message to send during the poor economy <br />A resident commented that approximately 55 percent of everyone in the United States has lost their job or <br />has taken a pay cut. The resident indicated he would like his road paved. He has lived here 32 years and <br />it has not been paved yet. <br />. White indicated they do have a pavement management plan that was recently adopted and that the City is <br />planning to pave the roads throughout the city. <br />PAGE 5 of 6 <br />