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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 12-07 CCM Budget HearingMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA BUDGET HEARING DECEMBER 7, 2015 CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1.CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met for the 2016 Budget Hearing called to order by Mayor Tim Willson at 7:01 p.m. 2.ROLL CALL Mayor Tim Willson and Councilmembers April Graves, Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember Kris Lawrence-Anderson was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Business and Development Director Gary Eitel, Finance Director Nate Reinhardt, and Deputy City Clerk Rozlyn Tousignant. 3.PRESENTATION ON BUDGET PROCESS AND PROPOSED 2016 BUDGETS Mr. Boganey gave a brief introduction and summary of the budget as well as an overview of the December 7th meetings. Mr. Reinhardt gave a presentation on the proposed budget. 4.PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES PAYABLE IN 2016 Councilmember Ryan raised a question in regard to the Vacancy Turnover Savings and the delay in hiring replacements in the City. Mr. Reinhardt explained how the City budgets for employment for a full year. Councilmember Ryan stated that it is a substantial savings and opened the subject up to Mr. Boganey. Mr. Boganey explained that the Council likely levies less money due to the policy/practice in place. Councilmember Ryan raised another question in regard to property values and noted that residential property values have been increasing and that the valuation is off compared to the Minneapolis Multiple Real Estate Listing report. Councilmember Ryan also explained that the median plays a big role in the City of Brooklyn Center due to the uniformity of the City's housing stock. It was clarified that prices on the open market are recovering faster than the assessments done by the county. Mayor Willson noted that reports are behind by one year, for instance 2017 taxes based on 2016 reports. Mr. Boganey reiterated the point that Councilmember Ryan brought up about 2016 median value homes and explained how the assessors reach their findings based on the reports from the year prior. Mr. Boganey mentioned the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting held every spring, where residents can contest the valuation placed on their property. 12/07/15 -1- Mayor Willson mentioned that the City had seen the opposite pattern take place when the bottom fell from the housing market in 2008, and saw values drop. Mr. Boganey elaborated on that point, stating that the values and therefore the taxes are following the pattern of the recovery from the housing crash. Mr. Boganey illustrated the industrial and commercial property values over the same history and how the system works to balance the share of taxes. Mayor Willson affirmed that at the Council level, the levy can be raised or decreased, however, the ratios for commercial/residential were established by the State. 5.OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND QUESTIONS Mayor Willson opened the Public Hearing. Ron Schmidt (6518 Willow Lane) expressed concerns over the tax values for properties on the river. Gary Lutz (7224 Penn Ave N) expressed concern over the 25% increase within two years. Mayor Willson expressed that to contest his property valuation he should attend the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting in the spring. Tim Johnson (5406 Knox Ave N) raised issue with the percentage increase in the taxes and the discrepancy between homes. Mr. Johnson stated that his block has very similar homes and homeowners and that there are large differences between the percentage increases for each home. Mayor Willson explained that every home is built differently, looks differently and has different amenities, like fireplaces, that change the property values. Jeff Lutz (7224 Penn Ave N) raised the question about home values going up prior to 2010 and stated that the taxes increased, however, "nothing ever went down" when the bubble burst. Mr. Lutz also inquired about the Cafeteria Fund. Mayor Willson responded with an explanation. 6.REVIEW REMAINING ACTIONS FOR ADOPTION Mr. Boganey explained that following adjournment of the budget hearing, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Authority, and City Council will meet in Special Session to consider the 2016 budget. 7. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Graves moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to adjourn the Budget Hearing at 8:25 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 12/07/15 -2- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1.That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of the Special Session - Budget Hearing of the City of Brooklyn Center held on December 7, 2015. 2.That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its January 11, 2016, Regular Session. 4"4MztW City Clerk Mayor 12/07/15 -3-