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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTNT December 8, 2008 C I T Y o F 0 NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W, . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US City of Andover Truth in Taxation Hearing 2009 Proposed Budget Monday, December 8, 2008 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers 0 0 0 ANDOVER TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING - DECEMBER 8, 2008 MINUTES The Truth in Taxation Hearing of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, December 8, 2008, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota~ Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude Councilmember absent: None Also present: Assistant Finance Director, Lee Brezinka Others 0 2009 BUDGET PRESENTATION Mr. Brezinka stated this year the Andover City Council is holding a Truth in Taxation public hearing (although not required by State Statute due to the limited tax increase). This hearing is intended to give the public the opportunity to comment on the proposed 2009 budget and tax levy. Mr. Brezinka reviewed the 2009 budget with the Council and residents. Councilmember Jacobson asked if it was true what was reported in the Star Tribune that the taxes in Andover were only going up by$7.00 for 2009. Mr. Brezinka stated it depended on the property. Councilmember Trude thought it may be the City portion of the tax. TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, to open the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Richard Kulkey, 16683 Sycamore Street NW, asked why Ham Lake and Ramsey are freezing their taxes and services along with Anoka and why isn't Andover doing that. He thought raising taxes was wrong. Councilmember Orttel wondered what the other cities froze. Mr. Kulkey stated they froze taxes on 0 everything. Councilmember Trude stated when he gets his property tax valuation form he should contact the Assessor to have his home appraised for the correct value if it is not correct. Councilmember Jacobson stated they have not really raised taxes in Andover. Mayor Gamache stated ifhe looked at the actual budget from 2008 to 2009, the budget is actually less than previous 0 Truth in Taxation Hearing Minutes - December 8, 2008 Page 2 years. Mr. Kulkey indicated it did not seem like that. Councilmember Jacobson asked if Mr. Kulkey had any ideas on where they could cut the budget. Mr. Kulkey stated they have to go with the way the economy is going. Mayor Gamache stated they are doing that. Councilmember Orttel stated half of their budget is Police and Fire, which they are required to provide along with public services such as snow plowing so there really is not any "fat" in the budget that they can cut. Mr. Jim Nelson, 3342 143rd Avenue NW, stated one of his concerns is the valuation of his property. He wondered if there was a number he could call to have a fair market assessment done on his property. Councilmember Trude stated the number is on the valuation statement. Councilmember Jacobson stated they will have a hearing in April for the valuation meeting and he should come to that to voice his issues. Ms. Judith Carlson, 680 Constance Blvd NW, stated her sister called Jason Dagostino, Anoka 0 County Assessor to find out if her property could be reevaluated and he left a message that he was going to look at both lots at the same time but did not call her to indicate that. Councilmember Orttel stated they have raised vacant land valuations by 16 to 17 percent and he did not know why they have done this. He suggested when Jason calls her to talk to him about it and reevaluate it and then come to the April 2009 meeting. Mr. Winslow Holasek, 1211 Andover Blvd NW, thought the City did a good job on preparing the budget but he had a few questions. He stated the proposed 2009 budget is down slightly but the proposed property taxes are up by 4.3 % and he wondered why that was. He noticed the tax capacity was also up a little bit. Mr. Brezinka stated the reason for this is the numbers include all funds and the property tax levy is primarily the general fund operations and also includes a large portion ofthe debt service. Mr. Holasek wondered why the levy increased. Mr. Brezinka stated it is largely due to the increase in law enforcement. Mr. Holasek stated they cannot cut essential services but some ofthe departments could be cut down because the City is not as busy as it used to be. He stated he hated to see layoffs but thought if someone left the staff they could look to see if that person needed to be replaced or not. Mr. Holasek thought the City has done a goodjob of budgeting and thought a lot of the credit had to go to Jim Dickinson and staff for their hard work. 0 Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. By consensus ofthe Council they agree there is no need for a continuation of the meeting. 0 Truth in Taxation Hearing Minutes - December 8, 2008 Page 3 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Orttel, to adjourn. Motion calTied unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary 0 0