HomeMy Public PortalAbout11/20/91 Special CCM~
The Council
Taxation" public
7:35 P.M.
Present: Mayor,
Treasurer, Donna
Rabenort
Absent: Councilmembers, Wilfred Scherer, Philip Zietlow
of the City of Medina met for the purpose of conducting the "Truth in
hearing regarding the 1992 budget, on Wednesday, November 20, 1991 at
Gary Acromite; Councilmembers, Robert Mitchell, Ann Thies; Clerk-
Roehl; Public Works Director, James Dillman; Police Chief, Richard
Gary Acromite explained the process the city must follow and timetable for preparation of
1992 levy. He reported that a preliminary levy of $998,000, the same amount as in 1990,
had been submitted to Hennepin County in September, which number was then used to calculate
estimated taxes for individual tax notices. He stated that at this time the Tax Capacity
of the city is $5,623,700 and with deductions for contributions and tax increment and add-
itions for homestead credit and fiscal disparities the city would have to cut $130,000 from
the preliminary levy to maintain the 15.224 tax rate levied for 1991 taxes.
Public Hearing was opened.
Anne Theis, 4651 Walnut St., asked for the
Gary Acromite stated $97,500 was budgeted,
although some of the fees are charged back
amount of legal fees spent, by department, in 1991.
which is less than amount that will be spent,
to developers, etc.
Bob Raskob, 2295 Holy Name Dr., stated that they would have a 12% increase and that property
values had increased.
Ron Swift, 413 Ridgeview Cir., asked why there is an across the board increase.
Gary Acromite stated that the budget needs to be reduced.
Peter Faulkum, 495 Ridge View Cir. stated that expenditures need to be cut and projects done
in steps, although he did not want services to go down.
Gary Acromite asked what he would be interested in cutting.
Kim Gardner, 3431 Elm Creek Dr., asked what comprised the $100,000 attorney bills.
Gary Acromite stated that the planning and zoning fees for attorney are billed back.
Randy Mayer, 762 Hwy. 55, stated that his taxes went up 49% in 1991. He asked if council
could check on having an in-house attorney and engineer; Woodlake inspections should be
paid for by Hennepin County and the state; the computer consultant fees should eventually
go down; if new furnaces are needed the city could borrow the money and pay off on a yearly
basis. He stated that he would like to see more homes because they would add revenue and
loosen restrictions on commercial property to enhance development. He stated that Corcoran
has more people and more miles of road and if council wants Medina to remain rural it should
model itself after Corcoran, not Orono and Wayzata.
Ron Swift stated that council should let citizens look at the budget and make suggestions.
He asked if enough work was being gotten from police officers.
Anne Theis stated that some savings could be made by having staff draft garden variety type
resolutions rather that paying the attorney to do them.
Waver Weed, 2582 Co. Rd. 24, asked why the police department budget varies and stated that he
did not care for terrific roads.
Robert Mitchell stated that there are now five officers and the chief.
Gary Acromite stated that either the roads are sealcoated on a regular schedule or they can
be left go and be completely redone.
Weyer Weed asked if the police budget included needs or wants.
Robert Mitchell stated that surveys that have been taken show that people want 24 hour polic(
service which the city still does not have.
Weller Weed stated that he would need to know if that level of service is needed.
Gary acromite stated that the chief and Ann Thies could scrutinize the budget.
Pete Faulkum stated that he had not had time to study the entire budget but he made
some suggestions for cutting back expenses.
Gary acromite stated that it was to early for him to commit to what should be done.
Ann Thies stated that she was not in a position to make any decisions at this meeting.
Robert Mitchell asked if there was some way more revenue could be generated and should
wages be frozen.
Anne Theis, 4651 Walnut St., asked if someone should talk to 'Hhe patrol officers and
ask them if they really wanted to be in the union. Contract negotiations are very
expensive.
Randy Mayer stated that the reserve budget should be cut before the regular police.
Weyer Weed asked if there was any way the city could get money from users of Baker Park.
Bob Raskob stated that the police should be complimented for the work they do.
Moved by Thies, seconded by Mitchell to continue hearing until December 3 and 17, 1991.
Motion declared carried
Moved by Thies, seconded by Acromite to adjourn.
Motion declared carried
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
Clerk -Treasurer
November 20, 1991