HomeMy WebLinkAbout01(A) - 2021 Budget/Tax Levy Discussion Report
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION REPORT
2021 BUDGET/TAX LEVY DISCUSSION
The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the proposed 2021 budget with the Council which
will be the subject of the December 7 truth in taxation hearing. Staff is looking for Council
direction regarding any proposed budget changes and proposed tax levy change prior to the
December 7 public hearing.
The following budget development meetings have been held. The impact of these updated plans
and budget on the debt balance, tax levy, fund balance reserves and utility rates were a part of
the Council and staff discussion at these meetings.
June/July CIP work sessions
July 20 Financial planning work session
September 8 Budget work session
August 10 & Sept. 8 EDA meeting budget discussions
September 21 Preliminary 2021 budgets and certification
of preliminary 2021 city tax levy
On September 21, staff presented Council with a proposed preliminary tax levy increase of 5.67%.
Council directed staff to reduce the preliminary levy increase to 5.25% and adjust the preliminary
budget accordingly. The levy increase of 5.25% includes the City portion of 4.7% and EDA
portion of .55%. This action set the maximum tax levy for 2021 at $14,315,207.
After the preliminary tax levy hearing, several budget changes were necessary. The budget
changes were made within the constraints set by the council direction of a 5.25% max levy
increase.
Reduction in Parks department seasonal staff: Budget Impact -$24,000
The Parks seasonal budget was reduced to adjust the overall city budget to meet the preliminary
maximum tax levy approved by the council on 9/21. Staff removed $24,000 from the Parks
department seasonal staff budget. This represents about 3.5 summer seasonal positions for the
months of June-August. This will impact services normally performed by the Parks seasonal staff
and includes no flowers in the downtown area, no annual wood mulch where needed, no public
restrooms, and scaled back city mowing services. We will maintain the port-a-biff
program/placement utilized this year.
Council approved building inspector add in 2021 - Budget Impact - $0:
Staff recommended applying for a grant for partial funding of a building inspector position. Council
approved the MN Department of Labor grant application for partial funding at the July 20 council
meeting (RES20-077). The grant is $65k for two years (2021 and 2022). The 2021 budget
reflected a headcount reduction of .75. However, the new building inspector position will be a
headcount add of one. Therefore, the net change in the city headcount is an increase of .25
FTEs. The funding for the position is 2/3 from grant revenue and 1/3 from salary savings due to
recent new hires at entry level step on the pay scale.
2
2021 election costs: Budget Impact +$7k
A special election for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was scheduled for February 9,
2021 due to the death of candidate Adam Weeks. The status of the special election is the subject
of an ongoing court challenge. The budget for the special election costs is included in the 2021
budget as the outcome of the court challenge is unknown at this time.
Website budget presentation tool: Budget Impact +$11,500
With the upgrade of the new city website near completion, staff has included funding for a budget
presentation software. The goal is to centralize the budget data, provide meaningful updates
during the budgeting process, modernize and automate the process of creating the annual budget
book, and create an ADA-accessible and GFOA compliant document that council members and
residents can read and easily understand.
Increase in Township Fire & Rescue Aid Revenue: Budget Impact - $64,500:
City staff has reviewed the existing agreement for fire and rescue aid for Credit River and Spring
Lake townships. We have proposed changes to the contract that include financing annual
equipment replacement and facility repairs on a pay-go basis, financing major replacements and
repairs with debt that follows the city’s debt repayment schedule of ten years, and funding for the
city’s administrative costs of the Fire department. This will add $64,500 in revenue for fire and
rescue aid to the townships which reduces the tax levy impact.
Current Circumstances
The preliminary 2021 budget is $35,163,849 and the preliminary 2021 tax levy is $14,315,207
which is a 5.25% increase from the previous year.
2021 Building Inspector Budget Impact:
New Building Inspector
Incremental
Cost/(Savings)
Building Inspector cost not covered by grant
revenue 31,000
Salary savings due to new staff hired at entry
level step on the pay scale (31,000)
2021 budget impact -
2021 FTE Impact
2020 budget FTEs 98.00
2021 FTE reduction in PW/Admin Departments (0.75)
2021 FTE add in Building Department (2/3 of cost
funded with grant revenue and 1/3 of cost
funded with new staff hired at entry level step)1.00
2021 budget FTEs 98.25
3
Estimated Tax Levy:
The following chart summarizes the 2021 proposed tax levy changes. See attachment 2 for
specific details of the components of the proposed 2021 tax levy change.
4
The chart below shows that proposed change in the city tax rates (tax capacity and market
value). Both tax rates show a planned reduction in 2021 based on the preliminary tax
levy proposed. This is because the tax levy is spread across a larger base due to the city’s
growth in tax capacity and market value.
Based on the proposed tax levy, the city tax rate would be reduced from 32.496% in 2020 to
31.075% in 2021. This is a 4.4% reduction in the city tax rate (tax capacity) and a 3.8% reduction
in the market value tax rate. The tax rate is applied against a home’s market value to arrive at
the tax paid by a resident.
Adopted
Budget 2020
Proposed Budget
2021
TAX LEVIES
General Fund 8,711,099 9,180,384
Debt Service Fund 3,561,288 3,560,073
Equip Revolving Fund 625,000 650,000
Revolving Park Equip Fund 319,000 375,000
EDA Fund 274,750 349,750
PIR (Street Overlay) Fund 80,000 120,000
Facilities Mgmt Fund 30,000 80,000
Total Tax Levies 13,601,137 14,315,207
SUMMARY OF CHANGE IN TAX LEVIES
General Fund 367,373 469,285
Debt Service Fund 127,017 (1,215)
Equip Revolving Fund 50,000 25,000
Revolving Park Equip Fund 51,108 56,000
EDA Fund 10,000 75,000
PIR (Street Overlay) Fund 95,000 40,000
Facilities Mgmt Fund - 50,000
TOTAL $ CHANGE IN TAX LEVIES 700,498 714,070
CURRENT YEAR TAX LEVIES ANNUAL % CHANGE
General Fund 6.9%5.39%
Debt Service Fund 1.8%-0.03%
Equip Revolv Fund 4.2%4.00%
Revolv Park Equip Fund 10.3%17.55%
EDA Fund 83.2%27.30%
PIR Fund -15.8%50.00%
Facilities Mgmt Fund 166.67%
TOTAL % CHANGE IN TAX LEVIES 6.44%5.25%
TAX CAPACITY TAX RATE 32.496%31.075%
Annual % Change -1.59%-4.37%
MARKET VALUE TAX RATE 0.006503%0.006256%
Annual % Change -3.91%-3.80%
5
Residential Impact of the City Tax Levy
The table below shows the estimated annual increase in the City portion of property tax for an
Average, $600,000 and $900,000 valued home. About 80% of the homeowner valuation change
fell between .01-10.00%.
37% of city homeowners had a market value increase of .01-5.00%. For an average valued home,
those homeowners would see a $21 annual decrease in the city portion of their taxes. Owners of
$600,000 and $900,000 valued homes would see a $31 and $55 annual decrease respectively.
41% of city homeowners had a market value increase of 5.01-10.00%. For an average valued
home, those homeowners would see a $42 annual increase in the city portion of their taxes (about
$5/month). Owners of $600,000 and $900,000 valued homes would see a $87 and $122 annual
increase respectively.
Based on Council feedback, staff has identified areas where additional funding is needed to
increase our current level of service.
Economic Development Authority (EDA):
• The EDA budget includes a funding increase of $75k to bring the EDA tax levy to $350k.
Rational: In addition to staff funded from the EDA, in 2021, the EDA has a commitment of
approximately $388,000 for the acquisition of the Sebastian Auto property as part of a
downtown redevelopment project. The downtown redevelopment will be a mix of
residential and commercial properties. With the tax levy set at $350,000, 2021 use of
reserves of $160,000 will also be needed to help fund the 2021 EDA expenditures.
The city has added nearly 390,000 square feet of new commercial/industrial
property to the city over the past few years in part due to the support of the EDA.
This new commercial and industrial square footage results in an estimated $150,000 in
annual property tax payments to the City of Prior Lake. That equates to over 1% of our tax
levy annually that is paid by this new commercial tax base that has been recently added.
The city is striving to increase this commercial tax base and the additional funding request
would be used to this end and support the downtown redevelopment.
RESIDENTIAL IMPACTS
% Net Net Net Net Net Net
of Inc/Dec Difference Inc/Dec Difference Inc/Dec Difference
Inc/Dec Total 20 vs 21 % Change 20 vs 21 % Change 20 vs 21 % Change
+15.01+%596 6%135$ 11.5%265$ 13.0%389$ 12.0%
+10.01-15.00%967 10%106$ 9.0%206$ 10.1%300$ 9.2%
+5.01-10.00%3,814 41%42$ 3.6%87$ 4.3%122$ 3.8%
+0.01-5.00%3,412 37%(21)$ -1.8%(31)$ -1.5%(55)$ -1.7%
No Change 3 0%(52)$ -4.4%(90)$ -4.4%(144)$ -4.4%
-0.01-5.00%452 5%(84)$ -7.1%(149)$ -7.4%(233)$ -7.2%
-5.01 - 10.00%36 0%(147)$ -12.5%(268)$ -13.2%(411)$ -12.6%
-10.00 - 15.00%12 0%(210)$ -17.9%(386)$ -19.0%(588)$ -18.1%
-15.01% +9 0%(242)$ -20.6%(445)$ -21.9%(677)$ -20.8%
9,301 100%
% EMV Value Range
# of
affected
Properties
AVG MV $366,600 $600,000 $900,000
6
Use of General Fund Reserves: The City’s comprehensive financial management plan calls for
maintaining a fund balance between 40-50% to ensure adequate reserves for cash flow,
unplanned expenditures, and to maintain the city’s credit worthiness (AA+ credit rating). The 2020
and 2021 reserve estimates are shown below.
• 2020 Year End Estimate: 50-52% (does not include CARES Act impact)
• 2021 Year End Projection: 48-50%
The impact of the CARES Act funding and eligible unbudgeted expenditures is not reflected in
the 2020 projection information shown above. Staff will be treating the CARES Act funding
separately, outside of the 2020 projection, until completion of the Federal single audit scheduled
for Spring 2021. Staff will update the reserve estimates when we close the 2020 year for financial
purposes.
The 2021 budget includes a planned use of reserves of $115,000 to offset anticipated revenue
shortfalls in building permit/plan check fees and SMSC aid for police services. Further
information on the planned use of reserves is summarized below.
• The city collects building permit and plan check revenue on new residential and townhome
units built. The estimate for new construction for 2021 is 125 units which is less than the
2020 estimate of 135 units. This has a budgetary impact of $55k. The budget reflects a
one-time use of funds of $35k to fund a portion of the revenue shortfall as compared to
the 2020 budget as this is anticipated to be a “one-time” funding need. Initial building
permit projections at the start of the pandemic were 115 for 2020. That number has been
revised to 160 based on the YTD permit activity through September. Staff has been
conservative in the 2021 building permit estimate as there is uncertainty in the new
housing market due to the pandemic. It is anticipated that this will be a “one-time” revenue
shortfall based on the housing demand we have experienced prior to the COVD19
pandemic.
• City staff have been in discussions with the SMSC regarding the agreement for SMSC
local government aid for Police services. The preliminary agreement indicates that we will
receive $700,000 in 2021. However, this is $100k less than the 2021 budget amount of
$800,000. The COVID19 pandemic has impacted Mystic Lake operations as it has
impacted many businesses across the state. When Mystic Lake operations return to
normal, we anticipate that the SMSC aid for Police services will include additional funding
to move closer to our 2021 $850,000 funding recommendation. The budget reflects a
one-time use of funds of $100k to cover this shortfall for 2021 police aid between budget
and preliminary agreement received with the SMSC as this is anticipated to be a “one-
time” funding need.
7
Enterprise Funds
The budget summaries of the three enterprise funds (Water, Sewer and Stormwater) that the City
operates are included on Attachment 1. At the City Council work session on August 3, staff
presented rate increases necessary to fund operations as well as capital projects identified in the
Capital Improvements Plan. For example, in the approved Transportation Plan, there are $3.8
million of water projects, $2.3 million of sewer projects, and $.7 million of water quality projects
planned over the next five years. Based on Council direction, the timing of projects has been
adjusted to manage the number of streets under reconstruction within the next year and moderate
the impact on the tax levy and utility user rates. An annual rate increase is reflected in the water,
sewer and storm water budgets and will be presented to the Council for approval as part of 2021
fee schedule adoption at the November 2 Council meeting. The City conducted a utility rate study
in Fall 2019 to ensure revenue sufficiency and a rate calculation that is equitable and promotes
water conservation. The Council directed staff to move forward with the utility rate structure
change which includes adjusting the base rate to cover a greater portion of our fixed costs and
move from a two tier to a four tier r ate structure to promote water conservation and charge a
higher rate for users that generate the greatest demand on the city’s water and sewer
infrastructure.
City of Prior Lake 11/2 Council Workshop
2021 Budget Attachment 1
Budgeted Funds
Capital Revolving Revolving Park Permanent Facilities Total Total
General Debt Cable Park Equipment Equipment Improvement Management EDA Governmental Water Sewer Water Quality Enterprise Budgeted
Fund Service Fund Fund Fund Fund Revolving Fund Fund Funds Fund Fund Fund Funds Funds
Revenues / Sources
Property Taxes
Levy - Tax Capacity Operating 9,180,384$ -$ -$ 650,000$ 375,000$ 120,000$ 80,000$ 349,750$ 10,755,134$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 10,755,134$
Levy - Tax Capacity Debt Service 3,121,498$ 185,000 3,306,498$ 3,306,498$
Levy - Market Value 253,575 - - - - - - - 253,575 - - - - 253,575
Levy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Special Assessments - 446,370 - - - - 173,000 - - 619,370 - - - - 619,370
Licenses & Permits 795,551 - - - - - - - - 795,551 - - - - 795,551
Fines & Forfeits - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Intergovernmental 2,095,735 - - - - - - - - 2,095,735 - - - - 2,095,735
Charges for Services 1,864,672 - 28,000 455,000 - - - - 8,450 2,356,122 4,411,774 4,317,042 1,190,699 9,919,515 12,275,637
Other Revenues 240,800 46,406 - 22,700 9,600 10,500 7,800 5,800 5,300 348,906 54,600 19,800 14,500 88,900 437,806
Bond Proceeds - - - - 555,000 - 163,200 - - 718,200 - - - - 718,200
Lease Proceeds - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Transfers From Other Funds
General Fund - 253,575 - - - - - - - 253,575 - - - - 253,575
Debt Service Funds - 75,000 - - - - - - - 75,000 - - - - 75,000
Water Fund 523,000 565,700 - - 145,000 - - 117,000 - 1,350,700 - - - - 1,350,700
Sewer Fund - - - - 145,000 - - 13,000 - 158,000 - - - - 158,000
Water Quality Fund - - - - 20,000 - - - - 20,000 - - - - 20,000
Trunk Reserve Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TIF Fund - 25,500 - - - - - - - 25,500 - - - - 25,500
PIR Fund - 287,150 - - - - - - - 287,150 - - - - 287,150
Facilities Management Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Capital Park Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Police Forfeiture Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total Revenues / Sources 14,953,717$ 4,821,199$ 28,000$ 477,700$ 1,709,600$ 385,500$ 464,000$ 215,800$ 363,500$ 23,419,016$ 4,466,374$ 4,336,842$ 1,205,199$ 10,008,415$ 33,427,431$
Expenditures / Uses
Employee Services 10,679,740$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 135,422$ 10,815,162$ 825,245$ 807,538$ 366,593$ 1,999,376$ 12,814,538$
Current Expenditures 4,125,902 - - - - - - - 388,750 4,514,652 1,323,950 1,981,457 255,800 3,561,207 8,075,859
Capital Outlay 9,500 - - 1,781,000 595,000 - - 500 2,386,000 179,250 118,750 - 298,000 2,684,000
Capital Improvements - - - 400,000$ - - - 447,600 - 847,600 1,918,000 736,500 360,000 3,014,500 3,862,100
Subtotal 14,815,142$ -$ -$ 400,000$ 1,781,000$ 595,000$ -$ 447,600$ 524,672$ 18,563,414$ 4,246,445$ 3,644,245$ 982,393$ 8,873,083$ 27,436,497$
Transfers To Other Funds
General Fund -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 208,000$ 208,000$ 107,000$ 523,000$ 523,000$
Treatment Plant (Debt)- - - - - - - - - - 565,700 - - 565,700 565,700
Equipment Fund - - - - - - - - - - 145,000 145,000 20,000 310,000 310,000
Park Equipment Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Debt Service Funds 253,575 75,000 - - - - 287,150 - - 615,725 - - - - 615,725
PIR Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Facilities Management Fund - - - - - - - - - - 117,000 13,000 - 130,000 130,000
EDA Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Severance Compensation Fund - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Contingency - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Debt Service - 5,243,627 - - - - - - - 5,243,627 169,650 169,650 - 339,300 5,582,927
Subtotal 253,575$ 5,318,627$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 287,150$ -$ -$ 5,859,352$ 1,205,350$ 535,650$ 127,000$ 1,868,000$ 7,727,352$
Total Expenditures / Uses 15,068,717$ 5,318,627$ -$ 400,000$ 1,781,000$ 595,000$ 287,150$ 447,600$ 524,672$ 24,422,766$ 5,451,795$ 4,179,895$ 1,109,393$ 10,741,083$ 35,163,849$
Change in Fund Balance (115,000)$ (497,428)$ 28,000$ 77,700$ (71,400)$ (209,500)$ 176,850$ (231,800)$ (161,172)$ (1,003,750)$ (985,421)$ 156,947$ 95,806$ (732,668)$ (1,736,418)$
2021 Property Tax Levy Comparison 11/2 Council Workshop
Attachment 1
Change 20 - 21
Property Taxes 2020 2021 Amount Percent
Levy - Tax Capacity
General Fund - Operating 8,711,099$ 9,180,384$ 469,285$ 5.39%
Debt Service 3,319,231 3,306,498 (12,733) -0.38%
Revolving Equipment Fund 625,000 650,000 25,000 4.00%
Revolving Park Equipment Fund 319,000 375,000 56,000 17.55%
Permanent Improvement Revolving Fund 80,000 120,000 40,000 50.00%
Facilities Management Fund 30,000 80,000 50,000 166.67%
Levy - Economic Dev Authority 274,750 349,750 75,000 27.30%
13,359,080 14,061,632 702,552 5.26%
Levy - Market Value - General Fund 242,057 253,575 11,518 4.76%
Total Levy 13,601,137$ 14,315,207$ 714,070$ 5.25%
2021 Budget Expenditure Comparisons (2020 Original Budgets)
Capital Revolving Revolving Park Permanent Facilities Total Total
General Debt Service Cable Park Equipment Equipment Improvement Management EDA Governmental Water Sewer Water Quality Enterprise Budgeted
Fund Funds Fund Fund Fund Fund Revolving Fund Fund Funds Fund Fund Fund Funds Funds
2021 Total Expenditures / Uses 15,068,717$ 5,318,627$ -$ 400,000$ 1,781,000$ 595,000$ 287,150$ 447,600$ 524,672$ 24,422,766$ 5,451,795$ 4,179,895$ 1,109,393$ 10,741,083$ 35,163,849$
2020 Total Expenditures / Uses 14,656,748$ 5,432,317$ 9,200$ -$ 1,200,000$ 346,000$ 979,933$ 114,000$ 453,135$ 23,191,333$ 3,401,315$ 3,465,196$ 819,692$ 7,686,203$ 30,877,536$
Change 2020 to 2021 ($)411,969$ (113,690)$ (9,200)$ 400,000$ 581,000$ 249,000$ (692,783)$ 333,600$ 71,537$ 1,231,433$ 2,050,480$ 714,699$ 289,701$ 3,054,880$ 4,286,313$
Change 2020 to 2021 (%)2.81%-2.09%-100.00%n/a 48.42%71.97%n/a 292.63%15.79%5.31%60.28%20.63%35.34%39.74%13.88%
2021 Budget Expenditure Comparisons (2020 Amended Budgets)
Capital Revolving Revolving Park Permanent Facilities Total Total
General Debt Service Cable Park Equipment Equipment Improvement Management EDA Governmental Water Sewer Water Quality Enterprise Budgeted
Fund Funds Fund Fund Fund Fund Revolving Fund Fund Funds Fund Fund Fund Funds Funds
2021 Total Expenditures / Uses 15,068,717$ 5,318,627$ -$ 400,000$ 1,781,000$ 595,000$ 287,150$ 447,600$ 524,672$ 24,422,766$ 5,451,795$ 4,179,895$ 1,109,393$ 10,741,083$ 35,163,849$
2020 Total Expenditures / Uses 14,780,210$ 5,432,317$ 9,200$ -$ 1,460,183$ 542,000$ 979,933$ 234,000$ 453,135$ 23,890,978$ 3,427,595$ 3,491,476$ 819,692$ 7,738,763$ 31,629,741$
Change 2020 to 2021 ($)288,507$ (113,690)$ (9,200)$ 400,000$ 320,817$ 53,000$ (692,783)$ 213,600$ 71,537$ 531,788$ 2,024,200$ 688,419$ 289,701$ 3,002,320$ 3,534,108$
Change 2020 to 2021 (%)1.95%-2.09%-100.00%n/a 21.97%9.78%-70.70%91.28%15.79%2.23%59.06%19.72%35.34%38.80%11.17%
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021BUDGET ACTIVITY ORIGINAL AMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDCLASSIFICATION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEFund 101 ‐ GENERAL FUNDTaxes 8,367,851 8,953,156 8,953,156 9,433,959 480,803 5.37 Charges for Services 1,832,896 1,808,050 1,808,050 1,800,172 (7,878) (0.44) Intergovernmental 1,925,225 2,126,362 2,126,362 2,160,235 33,873 1.59 Miscellaneous Revenues 454,862 267,466 267,466 240,800 (26,666) (9.97) Sale of assets 9,877 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Transfers in 456,300 470,000 470,000 523,000 53,000 11.28 Debt Issued‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Licenses and Permits 992,096 830,464 830,464 795,551 (34,913) (4.20) Fines and Forfeitures 996 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 101 14,040,103 14,455,498 14,455,498 14,953,717 498,219 3.45 DEBT SERVICE FUNDSTransfers in 1,345,091 1,214,646 1,214,646 1,206,925 (7,721) (0.64) Taxes 3,262,773 3,319,231 3,319,231 3,121,498 (197,733) (5.96) Miscellaneous Revenues 846,835 546,395 546,395 492,776 (53,619) (9.81) Debt Issued‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ DEBT SERVICE FUNDS 5,454,699 5,080,272 5,080,272 4,821,199 (259,073) (5.10) Fund 210 ‐ CABLE FRANCHISE FUNDCharges for Services 28,901 32,000 32,000 28,000 (4,000) (12.50) Miscellaneous Revenues 2,849 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 210 31,750 32,000 32,000 28,000 (4,000) (12.50) Fund 225 ‐ CAPITAL PARK FUNDCharges for Services 309,190 531,200 531,200 455,000 (76,200) (14.34) Intergovernmental 100,000 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Miscellaneous Revenues 75,157 26,800 26,800 22,700 (4,100) (15.30) TOTALS ‐ FUND 225 484,347 558,000 558,000 477,700 (80,300) (14.39) BUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeRevenuesFrom Amended Budget
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021BUDGET ACTIVITY ORIGINAL AMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDCLASSIFICATION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEBUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeRevenuesFrom Amended BudgetFund 240 ‐ EDA SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDTaxes 149,698 274,750 274,750 349,750 75,000 27.30 Charges for Services 10,120 9,575 9,575 8,450 (1,125) (11.75) Intergovernmental‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Miscellaneous Revenues 28,195 7,560 7,560 5,300 (2,260) (29.89) Transfers in‐ 161,250 161,250 ‐ (161,250) (100.00) TOTALS ‐ FUND 240 188,013 453,135 453,135 363,500 (89,635) (19.78) Fund 410 ‐ REVOLVING EQUIPMENT FUNDTaxes 599,619 625,000 625,000 650,000 25,000 4.00 Taxes ‐ Debt Service‐ ‐ ‐ 185,000 185,000 Intergovernmental‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Miscellaneous Revenues 39,019 19,000 19,000 9,600 (9,400) (49.47) Sale of assets 8,020 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Transfers in 160,000 180,000 180,000 310,000 130,000 72.22 Debt Issued 215,000 115,000 115,000 555,000 440,000 382.61 Other Financing Sources 40,040 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 410 1,061,698 939,000 939,000 1,709,600 770,600 82.07 Fund 430 ‐ REVOLVING PARK EQUIP FUNDTaxes 289,269 319,000 319,000 375,000 56,000 17.55 Miscellaneous Revenues 31,407 9,000 9,000 10,500 1,500 16.67 Transfers in‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 430 320,676 328,000 328,000 385,500 57,500 17.53 Fund 440 ‐ FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FUNDTaxes‐ 30,000 30,000 80,000 50,000 166.67 Miscellaneous Revenues 17,605 9,000 9,000 5,800 (3,200) (35.56) Transfers in 94,927 99,000 99,000 130,000 31,000 31.31 Debt Issued‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Other Financing Sources‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 440 112,532 138,000 138,000 215,800 77,800 56.38
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021BUDGET ACTIVITY ORIGINAL AMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDCLASSIFICATION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEBUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeRevenuesFrom Amended BudgetFund 450 ‐ PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING FUNDTaxes 94,862 80,000 80,000 120,000 40,000 50.00 Miscellaneous Revenues 381,941 311,867 311,867 180,800 (131,067) (42.03) Transfers in‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Debt Issued 400,000 490,000 490,000 163,200 (326,800) (66.69) Other Financing Sources 48,709 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 450 925,512 881,867 881,867 464,000 (417,867) (47.38) Fund 601 ‐ WATER FUNDCharges for Services 6,595,240 4,469,743 4,469,743 4,411,774 (57,969) (1.30) Intergovernmental 573 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Miscellaneous Revenues 229,648 42,000 42,000 54,600 12,600 30.00 Sale of assets‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Transfers in 1,873,151 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Debt Issued‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Other Financing Sources 16,762 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 601 8,715,374 4,511,743 4,511,743 4,466,374 (45,369) (1.01) Fund 602 ‐ STORM WATER UTILITYCharges for Services 1,413,035 1,166,677 1,166,677 1,190,699 24,022 2.06 Intergovernmental‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Miscellaneous Revenues 50,111 11,600 11,600 14,500 2,900 25.00 Transfers in 267,517 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Storm Water Charges 750 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 602 1,731,413 1,178,277 1,178,277 1,205,199 26,922 2.28
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021BUDGET ACTIVITY ORIGINAL AMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDCLASSIFICATION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEBUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeRevenuesFrom Amended BudgetFund 604 ‐ SEWER FUNDCharges for Services 5,642,999 4,313,330 4,313,330 4,317,042 3,712 0.09 Intergovernmental‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Miscellaneous Revenues 66,981 21,000 21,000 19,800 (1,200) (5.71) Sale of assets‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Transfers in 306,280 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Debt Issued‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Other Financing Sources 16,762 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 604 6,033,022 4,334,330 4,334,330 4,336,842 2,512 0.06 TOTALS ‐ ALL FUNDS 39,099,139 32,890,122 32,890,122 33,427,431 537,309 1.63 537,309 1.63 From Original Budget
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021ACTIVITY ORIGINALAMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDDEPT DESCRIPTION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEFund 101 ‐ GENERAL FUND41110.00 MAYOR & COUNCIL 70,144 75,507 75,507 74,934 (573) (0.76) 41130.00 ORDINANCE 4,025 7,500 7,500 6,000 (1,500) (20.00) 41320.00 ADMINISTRATION 528,999 340,473 340,473 270,030 (70,443) (20.69) 41330.00 BOARDS & COMMISSIONS 8,719 11,765 11,765 11,365 (400) (3.40) 41400.00 CITY CLERK FUNCTIONS 83,980 116,283 116,283 122,150 5,867 5.05 41410.00 ELECTIONS‐ 34,231 34,231 7,000 (27,231) (79.55) 41520.00 FINANCE 480,575 520,572 523,612 564,792 41,180 7.86 41530.00 ACCOUNTING‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 41540.00 INTERNAL AUDITING 37,564 35,475 35,475 41,200 5,725 16.14 41550.00 ASSESSING 202,418 218,704 218,704 224,260 5,556 2.54 41610.00 LEGAL 152,275 180,000 180,000 180,000 ‐ ‐ 41820.00 HUMAN RESOURCES 187,118 306,890 306,890 315,831 8,941 2.91 41830.00 COMMUNICATIONS 126,561 180,331 180,331 161,948 (18,383) (10.19) 41910.00 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 328,190 379,921 379,921 379,599 (322) (0.08) 41920.00 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 402,444 438,494 467,224 384,873 (82,351) (17.63) 41940.00 FACILITIES ‐ CITY HALL 468,972 505,598 455,597 523,936 68,339 15.00 42100.00 POLICE 4,505,682 4,848,910 4,855,232 5,299,447 444,215 9.15 42200.00 FIRE 944,350 1,038,440 1,038,440 1,076,237 37,797 3.64 42400.00 BUILDING INSPECTION 594,466 604,313 676,314 729,656 53,342 7.89 42500.00 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 9,947 14,875 14,875 15,090 215 1.45 42700.00 ANIMAL CONTROL 28,200 28,800 28,800 28,800 ‐ ‐ 43050.00 ENGINEERING 348,296 379,090 379,090 388,820 9,730 2.57 43100.00 STREET 1,200,528 1,338,286 1,353,686 1,364,953 11,267 0.83 43400.00 CENTRAL GARAGE 412,844 483,069 483,069 491,186 8,117 1.68 45100.00 RECREATION 433,568 474,059 474,059 481,578 7,519 1.59 45200.00 PARKS 1,393,649 1,623,071 1,671,041 1,603,233 (67,808) (4.06) 45500.00 LIBRARIES 62,047 69,073 69,073 68,224 (849) (1.23) 46100.00 NATURAL RESOURCES‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 49999.00 CONTINGENT RESERVE‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds 334,769 403,018 403,018 253,575 (149,443) (37.08) TOTALS ‐ FUND 101 13,350,330 14,656,748 14,780,210 15,068,717 288,507 1.95 BUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeExpendituresFrom Amended Budget
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021ACTIVITY ORIGINALAMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDDEPT DESCRIPTION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEBUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeExpendituresFrom Amended BudgetDEBT SERVICE FUNDS47000.00 DEBT SERVICE 5,359,651 5,322,317 5,322,317 5,243,627 (78,690) (1.48) 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds 148,164 110,000 110,000 75,000 (35,000) (31.82) TOTALS ‐ DEBT SERVICE FUNDS 5,507,815 5,432,317 5,432,317 5,318,627 (113,690) (2.09) Fund 210 ‐ CABLE FRANCHISE FUND41340.00 PUBLIC CABLE ACCESS 20,263 9,200 9,200 ‐ (9,200) (100.00) TOTALS ‐ FUND 210 20,263 9,200 9,200 ‐ (9,200) (100.00) Fund 225 ‐ CAPITAL PARK FUND45040.00 PIKE LAKE PARK 917 45144.00 THE ENCLAVE @ CLEARY LKPK45146.00 Eagle Creek/Brooksville Hills45147.00 MARKLEY LAKE TRAIL45148.00 HWY 13 TRAIL GAP 177,422 45200.00 PARKS 325,858 ‐ ‐ 400,000 400,000 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 225 504,197 ‐ ‐ 400,000 400,000 100.00 Fund 240 ‐ EDA SPECIAL REVENUE FUND46500.00 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 167,478 448,035 448,035 519,172 71,137 15.88 46503.00 TECH VILLAGE INCUBATOR 4,075 5,100 5,100 5,500 400 7.84 TOTALS ‐ FUND 240 171,553 453,135 453,135 524,672 71,537 15.79
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021ACTIVITY ORIGINALAMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDDEPT DESCRIPTION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEBUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeExpendituresFrom Amended BudgetFund 410 ‐ REVOLVING EQUIPMENT FUND42100.00 POLICE 187,092 443,000 468,580 250,900 (217,680) (46.46) 42200.00 FIRE 620,150 115,000 115,000 792,000 677,000 588.70 42400.00 BUILDING INSPECTION 30,539 32,000 32,000 ‐ (32,000) (100.00) 43100.00 STREET 178,339 257,000 491,603 289,600 (202,003) (41.09) 43400.00 CENTRAL GARAGE 18,739 20,000 20,000 20,000 ‐ ‐ 45200.00 PARKS 90,835 333,000 333,000 262,500 (70,500) (21.17) 49400.00 WATER 55,549 ‐ ‐ 83,000 83,000 49420.00 WATER QUALITY‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 49450.00 SEWER‐ ‐ ‐ 83,000 83,000 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 410 1,181,243 1,200,000 1,460,183 1,781,000 320,817 21.97 Fund 430 ‐ REVOLVING PARK EQUIP FUND45200.00 PARKS 158,797 346,000 542,000 595,000 53,000 9.78 TOTALS ‐ FUND 430 158,797 346,000 542,000 595,000 53,000 9.78 Fund 440 ‐ FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FUND41940.00 FACILITIES ‐ CITY HALL 10,349 ‐ 120,000 240,000 120,000 100.00 41960.00 GESP‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 42100.00 POLICE‐ ‐ ‐ 22,500 22,500 42200.00 FIRE‐ 20,000 20,000 120,000 100,000 500.00 43100.00 STREET‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 43400.00 CENTRAL GARAGE‐ ‐ ‐ 50,100 50,100 45500.00 LIBRARIES 32,637 84,000 84,000 15,000 (69,000) (82.14) 49400.00 WATER 5,940 10,000 10,000 ‐ (10,000) (100.00) 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ TOTALS ‐ FUND 440 48,926 114,000 234,000 447,600 213,600 91.28
11/2/2020 ‐ Council Workshop2019 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021ACTIVITY ORIGINALAMENDED PROPOSED PROPOSED PROPOSEDDEPT DESCRIPTION BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET AMT CHANGE % CHANGEBUDGET REPORTCity of Prior LakeExpendituresFrom Amended BudgetFund 450 ‐ PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING FUND43100.00 STREET 675,848 700,000 700,000 ‐ (700,000) (100.00) 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds 186,933 279,933 279,933 287,150 7,217 2.58 TOTALS ‐ FUND 450 862,781 979,933 979,933 287,150 (692,783) (70.70) Fund 601 ‐ WATER FUND41520.00 FINANCE 93,085 100,574 100,574 108,124 7,550 7.51 47000.00 DEBT SERVICE 78,200 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 49400.00 WATER 2,871,712 2,377,581 2,403,861 4,307,971 1,904,110 79.21 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds 995,495 923,160 923,160 1,035,700 112,540 12.19 TOTALS ‐ FUND 601 4,038,492 3,401,315 3,427,595 5,451,795 2,024,200 59.06 Fund 602 ‐ STORM WATER UTILITY49420.00 WATER QUALITY 611,654 733,912 733,912 982,393 248,481 33.86 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds 126,760 85,780 85,780 127,000 41,220 48.05 TOTALS ‐ FUND 602 738,414 819,692 819,692 1,109,393 289,701 35.34 Fund 604 ‐ SEWER FUND41520.00 FINANCE 92,950 100,274 100,274 107,599 7,325 7.30 47000.00 DEBT SERVICE 78,200 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 49450.00 SEWER 3,166,705 3,070,812 3,097,092 3,706,296 609,204 19.67 80000.00 Transfers to other Funds 527,147 294,110 294,110 366,000 71,890 24.44 TOTALS ‐ FUND 604 3,865,002 3,465,196 3,491,476 4,179,895 688,419 19.72 TOTALS ‐ ALL FUNDS 30,447,813 30,877,536 31,629,741 35,163,849 3,534,108 11.17 4,286,313 13.88 From Original Budget
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2021 Proposed Tax Levy Components
Attachment 2
LEVY CHANGE TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS – 5.25%
Mandatory Items – 3.86 %
STAFFING
Wage/COLA and Benefits - $357,000
The city has labor agreements with three unions that are currently being negotiated for 2021. The budget includes a
proposed cost of living adjustment, city payroll taxes and health insurance premium contribution increase. The budget
also includes seasonal salaries.
Overtime Pay for City Contract Services -
$94,000
The city provides contract services such as Police staffing at Mystic Lake and Police and Parks staffing at local
community events such as Musicfest and Lakefront Days. The revenue is collected through a contract services charge
and the related expenditure is staff overtime for the services provided. The contracted services are planned to
increase in 2021 so the related staff overtime is also increasing. The increase is primarily in the Police department for
additional contracted services at Mystic Lake.
IT Support Specialist -$67,000 (PT to FT) The city has over 192 computer devices (workstations, laptops, tough books), 14 servers, mobile devices, the phone
system, printers/copiers, and seven city buildings with technology infrastructure that need to be managed. This is in
addition to software contracts, license agreements, device accounts, IT policies and procedures, long-term planning
and critical cyber security monitoring and training. At the same time, the technology needs of the police department
continue to expand, including body cameras, squad car cameras, ticket printers, transcription software, evidence/jail
cameras, etc. The volume of the workload is too much for one individual to manage and requires regular weekend
and over-night work. The city IT needs have expanded due to the COVID19 pandemic and made it more apparent
that redundancy in the IT department is necessary. The City Manager has moved the part-time position to full-time in
2020 and the position is currently posted. By offering a full-time position with benefits, the city should be able to
attract higher caliber candidates. This position would primarily serve the police department and provide helpdesk
back up to the IT Coordinator.
Pension Contribution - $78,000
City’s mandatory statutory Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) contribution.
Workers Compensation - $31,000
Premium adjustment based on updated experience modifier and rate changes from the League of MN Cities.
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CURRENT EXPENDITURES
Reduction in Contracted Services – ($48,000)
Contracted Services Increases:
• Increased funding for maintenance agreements for buildings/equipment/cleaning -$18k
• Audit fee for required federal funds single audit - $6k
• The City of Prior Lake contracts with Scott County to provide property assessment services. 2021 is the
second year of a three-year contract. Overall contract increase includes increasing assessment workloads
such as parcel creations, new home construction, and annexation activities - $6k
• Increased funding for Public Works engineering needs. A significant 2021 project is feasibility work related
to the Parks Master Plan - $30k
• Increased funding for the city’s insurance program through the League of MN Insurance Trust based on
annual updates to our property and general liability insurance coverage and proposed rate increase
guidelines from the League of MN Cities – 19k
• Increased funding for the Fire Dept. Special Response Team - $10k
• Increased funding for website budget presentation software - $11k
Contracted Services Decreases:
• Reduction in funding for Parks expenditures for trail/sidewalk seal coat and heavy equipment rental – ($45k)
• Reduction in funding for IT professional services. In 2021 staff will be added instead of contracting for these
services as we did in 2020 – ($94k)
• Reduction in funding for software service costs and Finance professional services –($9k)
Reduction in Utilities – ($60,000) Utility expenditures based on historical info and estimated cost increases. Increase in 2019/2020 has been less than
the budgeted estimate, so the budget was revised downward.
Supplies - $17,000 tax levy impact
• Police toughbooks, docking stations -$15k
• IT Computers, video cameras, monitor replacements -$9k
• Police and IT technology equipment became necessary to purchase in 2020 to allow for remote work and
City Hall security during the COVID19 pandemic. This was funded by CARES $ - ($24k)
• Streets snow & ice management materials - $17k
CAPITAL OUTLAY
Reduction in Tech Capital Outlay – ($68,000)
• 2020 included the purchase of a server and storage area network –($68k)
• 2021 IT network switch became necessary to purchase in 2020 to allow for increased server capacity to allow
for remote work - $20k
• 2021 IT technology equipment funded by CARES $ - ($20k)
NONTAX REVENUE SOURCES/OTHER
Net Reduction (Shortfall) of $130,000 offset
with additional revenues
• The city collects building permit and plan check revenue on new residential and townhome units built. The
estimate for new construction for 2021 is 125 units which is less than the 2020 estimate of 135 units. This has
a budgetary impact of $55k. The budget reflects a one-time funding from reserves of $35k to fund a portion
of the revenue shortfall as compared to the 2020 budget as this is anticipated to be a “one-time” funding need.
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Initial building permit projections at the start of the pandemic were 115 for 2020. That number has been
revised to 140 based on the YTD permit activity through August. Staff has been conservative in the 2021
building permit estimate as there is uncertainty in the new housing market due to the pandemic. It is
anticipated that this will be a “one-time” revenue shortfall based on the housing demand we have experienced
prior to the COVD19 pandemic. ($55k revenue shortfall less use of reserves of $35k = $20k tax levy impact.)
• City staff have been in discussions with the SMSC regarding the agreement for SMSC local government aid for
Police services. The preliminary agreement indicates that we will receive $700,000 in 2020. However, this is
$100k less than the 2021 budget amount of $800,000. The COVID19 pandemic has impacted Mystic Lake
operations as it has impacted many businesses across the state. When Mystic Lake operations return to
normal, we anticipate that the SMSC aid for Police services will include additional funding to move closer to
our 2021 $850,000 funding recommendation. The budget reflects a one-time funding from reserves of $100k
to cover this shortfall for 2021 police aid between budget and preliminary agreement received with the SMSC
as this is anticipated to be a “one-time” funding need. ($0 tax levy impact)
• The city collects revenue from cellular companies for leasing space on the city water towers. There is one less
lease in 2021 so revenue budget has been reduced - $10k
• Increase in funding from other funds for administrative services of the city’s operating fund for
admin/HR/Finance/IT, etc. – ($53k)
• Other expenditure adds across multiple depts for special election supplies/communications etc. -18k
• The city was awarded a two grant for Building Official training - $65k
• Increase in township fire & rescue aid revenue: We have proposed changes to the contract that include
financing annual equipment replacement and facility repairs on a pay-go basis, financing major replacements
and repairs with debt that follows the city’s debt repayment schedule of ten years, and funding for the city’s
administrative costs of the Fire department. This will add $64,500 in revenue for fire and rescue aid to the
townships which reduces the tax levy impact by $65k
Other
$ 325,000 2020 use of reserves
115,000 2021 use of reserves
$ 210,000 Subtotal Increase in tax levy in 2021 due to less use of reserves as compared to 2020 budget
(40,000) Reduction in 2021 current expenditures – one-time website redesign in 2020
(161,000) Reduction in General Fund transfers out to EDA – one-time transfer
$ 9,000 Total Other – Net increase in tax levy
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Tax Levy Components 1.26%
Street Overlay funding -$40,000
The fund is reviewed annually to monitor cash flow and determine the tax levy needed. No specific projects are
identified at this time for 2021. Based on the increasing cost of recent years projects and impacts to the balance of
the PIR fund, it is proposed to forgo overlay projects for the next three years to allow the fund to regenerate its
balance. Staff is working towards the development of a more comprehensive pavement management program to
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project longer term street network conditions and strategies for increasing the scope of street mill and overlay
projects as early as 2024.
Facilities Management Plan funding -$50,000
The Facility Management Plan (FMP) was developed to plan for major repairs, replacements and upgrades for all city
facilities on a long-term basis (25 years). It does not cover minor expenses for repairs and maintenance. Those will
continue to be funded through the operating budgets . 2021 includes replacement of the City Hall boilers and epoxy
flooring replacement at Fire Station 1.
Park Equipment Replacement funding -$56,000 The Revolving Park Plan funds capital replacement projects, park amenities, and trail, sidewalk and boardwalk
replacement. The plan proposes a phased increase in the tax levy to cover the capital projects in the plan. 2021
projects include the Sunset Hills Park renovation and Watzl Beach building and retaining wall removal.
Equipment Replacement funding - $25,000 The Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP) utilizes general tax levies to support r eplacement of the City’s equipment and
vehicle fleet. The ten-year annualized cost for the plan is about $1M. The financing plan reflect s a gradual increase in
the tax levy until the annual levy reaches $1M by the year 2028. The proposed total levy for 2020 is $650k. Since the
proposed levy increase is gradual, bonding may be required for the plan to meet our funding needs.
Economic Development Authority (EDA)Tax Levy Component .55%
EDA Tax Levy Increase - $75,000
$ 364,000 EDA Source of Funds
525,000 EDA Use of Funds
$ 161,000 EDA Use of Reserves
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) has identified a need for additional expenditure budget and funding for
economic development initiatives. The EDA budget includes a funding increase of $75k to bring the EDA tax levy to
$350k The EDA has a commitment of approximately $388,000 in 2021 for the acquisition of the Sebastian Auto
property as a part of a future downtown redevelopment project. With the tax levy set at $350,000, 2021 use of
reserves of $160,000 will also be needed to help fund the 2021 EDA expenditures. The assistance provided by the
City Council and EDA in recent years to support business development, retention and expansion has helped the city
achieve its stated public purpose objectives. The city has added nearly 330,000 square feet of new
commercial/industrial property to the city over the past few years in part due to the support of the Prior Lake City
Council and Economic Development Authority. This new commercial and indu strial square footage results in an
estimated $120,000+ in annual property tax payments to the City of Prior Lake. That equates to almost 1% of our tax
levy annually that is paid by this new commercial tax base. The city is striving to increase this commercial tax base and
the additional funding request would be used to this end.
General Fund Reserve
General Fund use of reserves- $115,000
Background information: The city’s comprehensive financial management plan calls for maintaining a fund balance
between 40-50% to ensure adequate reserves for cash flow, unplanned expenditures, and to maintain the city’s credit
worthiness (AA+ credit rating). Staff recommends the use of reserves for one-time expenditures or revenue shortfall;
otherwise, the fund balance could drop below the level stated in the comprehensive financial management plan over
time. The total 2020 use of reserves was $325k. This includes a planned transfer to the EDA ($161,250), the redesign
of the city’s website ($40,000), and carryforward of 2019 budget items that were started in 2019 but completed/billed
in 2020. ($124,000)
2021 Planned Use of Reserves is $115,000 to fund the following items:
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• SMSC Police Aid Revenue Shortfall - $100k: The preliminary agreement with the SMSC indicates that we will
receive $700,000 in 2021 for Police aid. This is an additional $50k as compared to 2020. However, this is
$100k less than the 2020 budget amount of $800,000. The COVID19 pandemic has impacted Mystic Lake
operations as it has impacted many business es across the state. When Mystic Lake operations return to
normal, we anticipate that the SMSC aid for Police services will include additional funding to move closer to
our 2021 $850,000 funding recommendation The budget reflects a one-time use of funds of $100k to cover
this shortfall for 2021 police aid between budget and preliminary agreement received with the SMSC as this is
anticipated to be a “one-time” funding need.
• The city collects building permit and plan check revenue on new residential and townhome units built. The
estimate for new construction for 2021 is 125 units which is less than the 2020 estimate of 135 units. This has
a budgetary impact of $55k. The budget reflects a one-time funding from reserves of $35k to fund a portion
of the revenue shortfall as compared to the 2020 budget as this is anticipated to be a “one -time” funding need
• Offsetting add to reserve for overall nontax revenue $20k greater than to tal expenditures