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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A - 2015 Budgets Public Hearing U U 4646 Dakota Street SE '�INrvEso�P Prior Lake, MN 55372 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 8, 2014 AGENDA#: 7A PREPARED BY: FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER JERILYN ERICKSON, FINANCE DIRECTOR PRESENTER: FRANK BOYLES AGENDA ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED 2015 CITY BUDGETS AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES DISCUSSION: Introduction The 2009 Legislature made some significant changes to the Truth in Taxation (TNT) process for 2010 and beyond. At the September 22, 2014 meeting during which the City Council considered a preliminary 2015 budget and tax levy, the Council was required to announce the time and place of the council meeting at which the 2015 budget and levy would be discussed and which would allow for citizen input. It was announced and included in the meeting minutes that a public budget meeting on the proposed 2015 budget and tax levy would take place on Monday, December 8, 2014 at 7:00 pm. The requirement for publishing a TNT notice in the Prior Lake American was repealed. In lieu of publication, the announcement of the time and place of the public hearing was required. In addition property owners received parcel specific Truth in Taxation notices which included the date and time of the public budget meeting for each taxing jurisdiction including the city. Current Circumstances The purpose for the public budget meeting tonight is to provide information to the public regarding the City's proposed 2015 budgets and the amount of property taxes that the City proposes to collect in 2015. The public must be given a reasonable amount of time to comment and/or ask questions on the proposed property tax levy and budget. Robert's Rules of Order may be used to govern the conduct of the meeting. Staff will provide a brief PowerPoint presentation (as part of the drop box and in the document center as soon as it is finalized but in no case later than this Friday at the end of the business day) with respect to the proposed 2015 tax levy and budgets for the General Fund, Debt Service Funds, Cable Fund, Capital Park Fund, Equipment Revolving Fund, Facilities Management Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, Water Quality Fund, Transit Fund and the Economic Development Authority. The City Council will have an opportunity to ask questions, after which the public may offer comments or ask questions. Any written comments submitted prior to or during the meeting are to be entered into the official record. The final budgets and property tax levy will be considered for approval by the City Council later on this agenda. By Minnesota Statute the final property tax levy amount must be certified to the Scott County Auditor's Office no later than 5 working days after December 20 (December 29, 2014). ISSUES: This public budget meeting is the primary opportunity for the public to comment or ask questions about the proposed 2015 budgets and tax levies. It is suggested that the City Council solicit and record resident questions during the public portion of the meeting. Once everyone wishing to speak has had a chance to, then the staff can respond to the questions and council members can ask additional questions or append onto responses already made. This format will provide council members and staff to have a reasonable and informative discussion which should enhance the public's understanding of the budgets and tax levies. ALTERNATIVES: 1. If all questions have been answered, close the public budget portion of the meeting. 2. If the council deems appropriate the hearing could be continued to the December 22 meeting pending receipt of additional information. RECOMMENDED Depending upon the results of the public hearing. MOTION: 2