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Citizens pan FL's budget plan |
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Wednesday, 05 December 2007 |
Jennifer Larson
Times Staff Writer
There wasn’t an empty seat as it was standing room only on Monday
evening when the city of Forest Lake’s proposed budget was presented at
the required Truth in Taxation Hearing.
All residents of Forest Lake were invited to attend the annual public
hearing of the city council to express their opinions on the
preliminary budget and the proposed amount of the 2008 property taxes.
More than 40 people filed into the meeting room at Forest Lake City
Hall to provide their input.
“I appreciate you put the citizens at the top,” said Dick Tschida, referring to the city’s organizational chart.
However, the council did not take action during the public hearing. Absent were Councilmen Gregory Ochs and Bo Bogotty.
The total city levy being proposed in 2008 of just over $7.2 million
will support the general fund and debt service as well as $41,000 for
an economic development levy. That represents a 9.9 percent increase,
or $648,506, over the $6.57 million property tax levy for 2007.
The proposed tax levy is essential to supporting the city’s proposed $15.4 million budget in the upcoming fiscal year.
“It’s good to see all these faces here,” said City Administrator Chip
Robinson, who has prepared the government entities budget for 30 years.
He said the budget process for the needs in 2008 began months ago with
several workshops and meetings held between May and November this year.
The council not only looks at trends with expenditures and revenues but
also sets goals of what they want to achieve with the budget, Robinson
said.
“Our budget started with a 22 percent increase,” he said. Robinson said
less than 10 percent growth proposed shows a commitment to minimize the
tax impact.
Property values
“We can’t talk about the values on your tax statements,” Robinson added.
Although it is too late now to do anything about the 2008 values set by
the county, Robinson said residents concerned about their payable
taxes should address the Board of Equalization next April, which is the
venue where they can request a reduction.
“I’m really scared for next year,” said city resident Mike Clemens, referring to when the new values come out.
Councilwoman Susan Young said all but three of the 35 individuals that
turned out for the Board of Equalization this past April saw their
values reduced.
“In a way, you’ve got nothing to lose,” she said.
Robinson suggested to those in the audience that they go before the
school district and Washington County as well in regards to property
taxes since the city is only a third of the bill.
“Everyone thinks we’re the ones that impact your property taxes the most,” Robinson said.
Budget ideas
Dick McNamara said the council should move to roll next year’s budget back 20 percent from the 2007 numbers.
Young said if that was the case, they need to understand what the city
won’t be doing when it comes to staffing the police, fire and public
works departments. In addition, she said limit the mowing to the parks
during the season.
“Let’s make it real,” said Councilwoman Judy Bull.
She noted the level of services residents expect; instead of the fire
department arriving in 7-8 minutes, it could be on the scene within 15
minutes. Bull used a similar example with law enforcement response
times.
Robinson said the same goes for plowing the streets after a heavy snowfall.
Jackie McNamara remarked that the city should cut specific line items
from the budget, not the levels of service provided to taxpayers.
“I’ve looked at the budget and I do think it is too high,” said Mayor Stev Stegner.
A show of hands in the audience revealed that all but a few are unhappy
with the proposed budget. Stegner said he had raised the idea of
forming a citizen budget overview committee but was struck down by the
council.
If there can’t be a reduction in line items, he will ask for an across
the board cut. Bull said the city is very fiscally responsible and
believes the proposed budget should be reviewed again before a final
budget is approved on Monday, Dec. 10 during the council’s regular
meeting at 7 p.m.
Young said it is important to find balance between the budget requests
submitted by each department head.Nonetheless, she is opposed to an
across the board cut - an act the councilwoman called chicken.
“It means you don’t make real choices,” Young said.
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