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Orono City Council <br /> Work Session <br /> Tuesday, MA,y 28,2019 <br /> Council Chambers 5:00 p.m. <br /> PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Walsh, Council Members Richard F. Crosby II, Aaron Printup <br /> and Victoria Seals. Representing staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief, Finance <br /> Director Ron Olson, Police Chief Correy Farniok, and City Clerk Anna Carlson. <br /> Guests: Long Lake Fire Department Chief James Van Eyll, John Hall, and Shane Gardner <br /> Meeting Start Time: 5:04 p.m. <br /> 1. Heritage Preservation <br /> City Administrator Dustin Rief stated Council Member Victoria Seals had a resident <br /> reach out to her in regards to heritage preservation districts for Orono. Rief requested <br /> guidance and input from the Council about heritage preservation for Orono. <br /> Mayor Dennis Walsh stated that it may be better to look into this later in the year after the <br /> budget is established. Walsh recommended readdressing it later in the year after Council <br /> Members had a chance to review the information received in regards to heritage <br /> preservation. <br /> Rief mentioned staff will look into how many houses we have that are over one hundred <br /> years old. <br /> 2. Budget Priorities <br /> Finance Director Ron Olson presented a high overview of the significant factors that <br /> make up the budget. Staff has until June 7ffi to get their budget into the City <br /> Administrator for review. He briefly ran through revenue and expenditure estimates for <br /> 2020. Olson also noted the City's tax levy can increase by 4.78%without increasing the <br /> City's tax rate due to the City's increased Taxable Market Value. <br /> Walsh mentioned if the Council can be comfortable with raising the levy to help fund the <br /> roads budget to get that specific budget to where it should be. He noted if the City wants <br /> to increase the pavement fund, it could be raised roughly by 3%. Council needs to figure <br /> out what they are comfortable with. He added that he would like to see what we have <br /> done for the permits over the last few years so Council can compare and use it to figure <br /> out estimates. Walsh recommended the Council to consider incrementally increase the <br /> levy now so we don't have to make such a huge jump to get where we want to be. <br /> Seals agreed that by making the increase of 3% since the City has the option to lower it if <br /> needed. <br /> Page 1 of 2 <br />