2012-12-03 CC Minutes TNTALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
December 3, 2012
Truth -in -Taxation
APPROVED MINUTES
ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Mayor Vetsch called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vetsch, Hendrickson, Sorensen and Wagner
Absent: Meehan
6:15 PM
Others present: Interim City Administrator Thistle, City Engineer/Public Works Director
Nafstad, City Attorney Couri, City Clerk Olson
PUBLIC HEARING ON TRUTH -IN -TAXATION
Thistle gave a report on the proposed 2013 levy. He stated the levy over the last five (5) years
has steadily gone down.
Thistle reported there were decreases in rentals of city buildings, administration fees, city hall
departments, and capital reserves. Increases were in the fire contract with Otsego, attorney and
planner fees and fire department back pay. The total increase to the 2013 levy is $62,834 with a
debt service increase of $68,822 and a reduction of $5,656 in operations. The total levy increase
is 2%.
Vetsch asked for documentation on the fire back pay to explain how that occurred. Nafstad
stated the Finance Director and the Fire Chief have the information. He understood that if was a
small increment in the time keeping software that did not calculate correctly. Thistle stated it
would be noted in the audit.
Nafstad stated that this will be the sixth year there has been a decrease in the operations budget.
City Council Minutes
Truth in Taxation Meeting
December 3, 2012 Page 1
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Vetsch hopes residents realize there are four lines, or four entities, that receive tax dollars.
Nafstad would like to see an article in the newsletter explaining the tax statements.
Thistle commented they have reached the point where they have diminished what they can do in
terms of cost savings and there is not much left that can be cut. He stated there is a good article
on what cities can do for cost savings and Albertville has done almost every item on the list. He
stated that additional cuts will begin to affect core services. He stated the importance of keeping
up with inflation.
Hendrickson would like to see a long term financial plan, so that future Councils aren't set up to
have large levy increases.
Vetsch wanted to look at the compost site and see if we are getting anything in return for the use
of the site. Nafstad stated there are some agreements between the public works staff in both
cities for plowing, signs and use of equipment in Albertville.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Vetsch opened the hearing for public comment.
There was no one present for comment.
Motioned by Hendrickson, seconded by Sorensen, to close the hearing. Ayes: Vetsch,
Hendrickson, Sorensen and Wagner. Nays: None. Absent: Meehan. MOTIONDECLARED
CARRIED.
ADJOURN
Motioned by Hendrickson, seconded by Sorensen, to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 p.m. Ayes:
Vetsch, Hendrickson, Sorensen and Wagner. Nays: None. Absent: Meehan. MOTION
DECLARED CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly AOlson, City Clerk
City Council Minutes
Truth in Taxation Meeting
December 3, 2012 Page 2
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