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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/08/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ST.CITY LOUIOF S OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION August 19,2002 The meeting convened at 8:24 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Susan Sanger, Ron Latz, Chns Nelson, Sally Velick, Susan Santa and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Meyer), Finance Director(Ms. McGann); and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert) 1. 2002-2003 Budget Discussion Council and staff met to review the 2002 Revised and 2003 Proposed Budget document prior to the meeting of September 3, 2002 when the Council will be setting the preliminary levy for 2003. Ms. McGann stated that the city's 2003 budget is balanced with a property tax increase of 1.9% resulting in an increase to the overall budget of 3.4%. Council discussed the effects legislative levy limits and aid formulas have on the city budget and also asked questions specific to St. Louis Park's financial outlook for the coming year. Ms. McGann stated that though levy limits are set to expire at the end of 2003, she believed the legislature would be renewing the limits at the next legislative session. Councilmember Sanger asked if recent publicity received by a neighboring city regarding expenditure of public funds had affected city operations in any way. Mr. Meyer and Ms. McGann informed the council that they believed St. Louis Park was making expenditures responsibly and prudently and sufficient council authorization had been given for programs the city operates. Mr. Meyer informed the Council that cities may ask voters for levy in excess of the state limit at a general or special election. Voter-approved levies to exceed state levy limits are levied against net tax capacity, unless another general or special state law or local charter provision requires that it be levied against referendum market value. Special levy referendums must be held by August 31st to take effect the following year. Though Mr. Meyer was not recommending that the city move forward with a levy referendum, he felt it was important for the council to understand that the option exists. Further discussion on funding the City's Capital Improvement Program will be held at a meeting in the near future and staff will be presenting several options for the council to consider at that time. 2. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. a IP it.......,L)-. . . / .... Ci Clerk .y 1