Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,September 10,2012 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (IS. ADOPT PRELIMINARYZOI3 TAXLEVYAND BUDGET, Continued) <br /> The total levy for debt service for 2013 is$755,500,which is a decrease of$9,000 from 2011. This <br /> money has been added to the General Fund tax levy. The levy increases slightly in 2014 and decreases by <br /> $123,000 in the 2015 budget year. <br /> Olson noted throughout the budget process,the draft budget information used to create the preliminary <br /> budget has not included the additional expenditures associated with providing police services to Mound. <br /> This budget is included as Budget Package A. Since the Council approved the contract earlier tonight,the <br /> Council should adopt Budget Package B. Budget Package B includes updated revenue and expenditure <br /> information to reflect the new police service contract. Approval of this package does not affect the ta�c <br /> levy. ' <br /> Franchot stated he is not sure why the City would commit itself to a lower levy at this point even though <br /> the City's budget is lower when there could be things that come up in the next couple of months. <br /> Bremer thanked Staff and Finance Director Ron Olson for their fine work on the budget and the <br /> information that has been presented. Bremer commented that hopefully property values will increase in <br /> the coming years. <br /> McMillan stated in speaking with other mayors from the Twin Cities area,they have noticed that there <br /> has been an increase in building permits being applied for. McMillan noted this is the third year of <br /> decreasing home values and that the City needs to make sure home values have hit the bottom and are on <br /> the rise before increasing Orono's tax levy. McMillan commented she appreciates the work of Staff in <br /> keeping the flat levy. <br /> Franchot stated he was not criticizing the tax levy but that he merely wanted to add in a buffer in the <br /> event something comes up in the next couple of months. Franchot noted that buffer could then be <br /> eliminated at the time the final budget is approved. <br /> McMillan opened the meeting up for public comment. <br /> Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road,asked what the elimination of the park levy is about. <br /> Olson stated the City Council has decided that while there has been a$5,000 levy for parks in the past,it <br /> is not enough to really do any improvements. In addition,the park fund does not need the $5,000, so it <br /> was eliminated. <br /> McMillan stated it was basically a token amount and there were always questions on why it was there. <br /> The City's projections for the Park Fund were carried out into the future for 20 years and the City Council <br /> will be revisiting the CIP in the coming months. The projections demonstrated the Park Fund would do <br /> well for a while and did not need the $5,000. McMillan stated if there is a certain project or land <br /> acquisition the City wishes to pursue,there are other financing options. <br /> Printup moved,Rahn seconded,to adopt RESOLUTION NO.6165,a Resolution Adopting the <br /> Preliminary 2012 Tax Levy Collectible in 2013,and to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 6166,a <br /> Resolution to Adopt the Preliminary 2013 General Fund Budget as presented in Budget Package B, <br /> with a public hearing set for the regular Council meeting of December 10,2012,at 6:30 p.m. <br /> VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. <br /> Page 24 of 26 <br />