1998-12-07 Truth in Taxation HearingPage No. 1
December 7, 1998
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Monday, December 7, 1998
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the adjourned meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:30 o'clock p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights,
Minnesota.
Acting Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were
present: Acting Mayor Smith, Councilmembers Dwyer, Huber, and Krebsbach. Mayor Mertensotto had
notified the Council that he would be absent.
TRUTH IN TAXATION Acting Mayor Smith opened the meeting for the purpose of
HEARING conducting a Truth -in- Taxation hearing to consider the proposed city
tax levy and budget for 1999.
Treasurer Shaughnessy informed Council and the audience that this
evening's meeting is to receive input on any changes Council would
like to see in the budget and to receive public comments. He
explained that the final budget and levy documents will be presented
to Council at the December 15 continued Truth -in- Taxation hearing.
Treasurer Shaughnessy reviewed a number of graphics showing
comparisons of tax capacity from 1994 through 1999 and the impact
of state imposed tax capacity rate changes. He informed Council the
proposed city levy should result in a reduction in the city portion of
next year's property tax for both residential and commercial
properties. He reviewed graphics showing informed Council that
reviewed the proposed General Fund Revenues and expenditures as
well as revenues and expenditures for the Engineering, Utility and
Storm Water Utility Enterprise funds. He explained that the
proposed net levy is $2,800,000, which is $18,000 less than what
had originally been proposed. He stated that the expenditure for
hospitalization insurance costs has been reduced by $9,000 and that
the city will receive $9,000 in PERA aid that had not been
anticipated.
Page No. 2
December 7, 1998
Treasurer Shaughnessy stated that the proposed budget includes a
$60,000 contingency which will be used in part for correction of
Year 2000 (Y2k) non - compliant equipment problems.
He informed Council that the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief do
not currently receive pays for calls or training but are paid an
administrative salary. He explained that contingency funding has
been placed in the budget in each of the past three years to allow for
an adjustment in the Chief and Assistant Chief pay. Responding to a
question from Councilmember Huber, he stated that the proposed
budget was prepared with a proposed increase in the administrative
salaries for the two individuals but no pay for calls or training.
Acting Mayor Smith stated that it is her understanding that there are
many different ways the fire chief and members of the department
can be compensated and those possibilities have been listed in
communications to Council. She asked if staff has researched what is
being done throughout the fire community.
Administrator Batchelder responded that staff has been compiling
research and will submit information to Council for the December 15
meeting.
Treasurer Shaughnessy stated that the hourly rate of pay for
volunteer fire fighters is not proposed to change, but an increase is in
the city's contribution to the firefighters' pension fund equal to 3%
of their salary (an 11 % increase in the Fire Relief levy) is again
proposed for 1999. He noted that the department members have
requested that annual increases go to the pension fund rather than
salaries. He informed Council that the chief and assistant chief are
paid salaries but they receive the same retirement benefit as the other
members of the department because the total contribution to the
pension fund is divided equally amongst the members irregardless of
the amount they individually receive in fire pay.
There were no public comments.
Acting Mayor Smith stated that the Truth -in- Taxation hearing will
be continued to a subsequent hearing on December 15. She invited
the members of the community to visit City Hall and look at the
proposed budget and to attend the December 15 meeting if they have
any questions or to give Council input.
ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council,
Councilmember Dwyer moved that the meeting be adjourned to the
Page No. 3
December 7, 1998
subsequent Truth-in-Taxation Hearing to be held at 7:30 p.m. on
December 15.
Councilmember Huber seconded the motion.
Ayes: 4
Nays: 0
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:15 p.m.
Kaffileen M. Swanson
City Clerk
ATTEST:
Jill Smith
Acting Mayor