|
On Stieger Lake * Victoria 952-443-1331 |
|
Island View Dining Waconia. 952-442-2956 |
|
Chaska School of Dance Mary Pieper 952-873-6781 |
|
Fahey’s Window Cleaning 952-467-2447 |
|
Country Life Therapeutic Massage Jan Sutton, M.A. * 952-474-0999 |
|
MVT Excavating No job is too small. 952-446-9341 |
|
Weinzierl Jewelers |
|
Waconia 952-442-2885 |
|
“Trees Are Our Roots” 8099 Bavaria Rd * Victoria * 952-443-2990 |
|
1915 Arboretum Blvd * Victoria 952-443-2808 |
|
Headlines and bylines |
|
Front Page Feature Story |
|
From the Editor |
|
Addie’s Drawing |
|
Letters to the Editor |
|
Victoria Moments |
|
Hook Line & Sinker |
|
Calendar of Events |
|
Click here to Advertise |
|
the Gazette |
|
Return to Home Page |
|
Order paper Gazette |
|
Notes and Quotes |
|
The Scoop at City Hall |
|
Home Page |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
|
September 2011 |
|
Replied Administrator Don Uram, "The Finance Committee talked about going to the voters. But we desperately need a Public Works facility and it might not be approved in a referendum." "So to avoid going to the voters, we're going to stick it in the General Fund?" said Councilmember Roden. "Why couldn't Council or staff make reasoned arguments for this? I'm wondering if the citizens wouldn't be willing to say yes. I'm wondering why we wouldn't go to the voters with a package ... The Rec Center never went to the voters. We're still subsidizing it to the tune of $250,000 a year and that adds up to a lot of money." "This doesn't have the transparency I'd like it to have," she added. "Have we got any surveys or information showing that our citizens wouldn't support a Public Works facility and city offices? If we're going to tackle public facilities, let's tackle them broadly. To piecemeal these buildings and not have a long term plan, a global plan, is gong down the same path as in the past." Councilmember Roden addressed the city's history and pointed also to the Water Treatment Plant which does not cash flow, the purchase of 13.5 acres (on Lake Auburn and then traded for property adjacent to the business district), and the 94 acres of farmland owned by the city (located just outside current city limits). The city also owns 4.5 acres next to the Rhapsody development, originally earmarked for a Public Works site but now deemed too small. The Finance Director mentioned making changes in the city's financial strategies, including a floating tax rate and allowing the fund balance to go below 30%. The fund balance is used in case of unexpected expense or if revenues don't meet projections. A tax rate is calculated to maintain a fund balance at a certain percent of expenditures or operating revenues. Stated Councilmember Roden, "Thirty percent unreserved fund balance is less than what's recommended. I've got 35% in my head. When did it change to 30%?" The Finance Director said the city is anticipating 40 new home permits each year through 2014. (To date in 2011 the city has issued 47 new home permits.) She said the median assessed market value of a home in Victoria is projected to decline by 7% for 2012, and the city is anticipating further declines in 2013 and 2014. She said, with the new strategies, the projection for 2012 to 2017 is that an average median value home would pay a total of $52 more in city property taxes. Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, who lives on Schutz Lake, "People on lakes get more than a $52 increase." Said Councilmember Jim Crowley, "I'm concerned that we're increasing spending, and funding it with increasing taxes. What if we sell some of our holdings, and then we'd get funds for some of these things?" Councilmember Tom O'Connor pointed out that there are currently such issues in play -- such as listing city property with a realtor -- that could or would alter the city's approach to dealing with budget items like street maintenance and public facilities. Stated Councilmember Uram, "We're in a market that we can't even predict for tomorrow." Stated Mayor Thun, "The Finance Committee looked at all the funds and did not want to take from reserves. We did not see other $200,000 pockets of money for street maintenance. Looking at reserves is also an option, however." "I'd like to hear from the voters in a referendum," said Councilmember Roden. "A referendum is not germane to the issue at this time," said Mayor Thun. Councilmember Crowley pointed out that councilmembers were not agreeing with the assumptions and strategy as presented, and that a workshop is needed and then this discussion. "Waiting a month or waiting six months may be the answer," he said. "There's a storm out there and we don't go full throttle through a storm." Mayor Thun admitted, "I see we are not ready to approve this." The above discussion took place in anticipation of approving a preliminary city budget for 2012. A preliminary budget must be certified to Carver County by September 15th. Whatever the bottom line is in the preliminary budget, that line cannot be increased before final adoption in December but the various line items can play musical chairs as Council wishes. Stated the Mayor, "We need to be sure the threshold is high enough to get through this.” A budget workshop was scheduled for Monday, August 22nd.
Click here to continue with The Workshop.
|
|
City Scoop Continued |
