1989-11-21 Council workshop minutes BudgetCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting
Held Tuesday, November 21, 1989
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the adjourned meeting of the
City Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 6:30 o'clock P.M.
at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 6:30 o'clock P.M.
The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Councilmembers
Anderson, Blesener, Cummins, and Hartmann.
BUDGET WORKSHOP
Council acknowledged receipt of a memo from
the Acting City Administrator regarding the
impact of the 1990 levy as proposed and a
list of potential budget cuts which was
developed by the department heads, and the
effect of levy reductions of 3%, 5% and 7% on
property taxes.
Treasurer Shaughnessy informed Council that
the notice of budget/levy hearing was
published with a proposed levy at the City's
legal limit, however the general fund levy
necessary to fund the budget as proposed is
$1,793,000. He then reviewed the impact of
the proposed levy on residential property
taxes.
Councilmember Blesener pointed out that even
if Council cut a full 7% from the proposed
levy, the homes receiving the largest tax
increase will only see a $6.32 tax reduction.
She stated that there is no way the City can
make an appreciable difference in the tax on
that value of a home and asked why the City
is the only agency considering cuts.
Councilmember Anderson stated that the tax on
homes of an average value in the City is
going to be reduced regardless even of
whether cuts are made and that the incentive
in the tax law is for the City to spend.
Councilmember Cummins suggested hiring a
full-time police officer rather than a
community service officer. He stated that he
is the one who pressed Council to make cuts,
but that knowing Council has been frugal for
years past and looking at the kinds of cuts
proposed and their negligible impact on
overall taxes, he suggested that Council
consider the 22% increase as projected in the
proposed budget.
Councilmember Blesener felt that the budget
is bare-bones enough without making further
cuts. She also agreed that Council should
consider a sworn officer position rather than
a CSO position.
Councilmember Cummins asked what cuts would
be needed in order to finance a sworn officer
position.
Police Chief Delmont expressed his
appreciation for Council's concerns, but
informed Council that other department heads
have proposed cutting very important items.
He stated that he would rather the Council
levy the limit than make cuts. He informed
Council that his department's 1989 budget is
in the red in 9 line items and that he feels
that as a group the department heads have cut
the budget too much already. He stated that
a new police officer is really needed but
that there are many things that are needed by
all of the departments. He informed Council
that he would prefer to have a sworn officer
for six months of 1990 rather than a CSO for
the full year.
It was the consensus of Council to shift
proposed 1990 Administration capital outlay
items and commodities as recommended into
1989 and to hire a full-time police officer
on April 1, 1990.
There being no further business for the
adjourned session, Council adjourned to the
regular meeting.
Kathleen M. Swanson
City Clerk
ATTEST:
Charles E. Mertensotto
Mayor
ADJOURNMENT
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
There being no further business to come
before the Council, Councilmember Hartmann
moved that the meeting be adjourned to 7:00
P.M. for a Commission candidate interview
session to be followed at 7:30 P.M. by a
closed session workshop on City Administrator
recruitment.
Councilmember Cummins seconded the motion.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:05 o'clock P.M.
Kathleen M. Swanson
City Clerk
ATTEST:
Charles E. Mertensotto
Mayor