HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 4, 2000 Truth in Taxation Mayor
Gary L Peterson
CITY Of COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
Donald G. Jolly
Marlaine Szurek
590 40TH AVENUE N.Ir., COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN 55421-3878 (6 '12) 782-2800 TDD 782-2806 Julienne Wyckoff
John Hunter
Please note: City Hall Phone Numbers have changed. New numbers are: Main Number (763) 706-3600; TDD (763) 706-3692 Cify Manager
Walt Fehst
ADMINISTRATION
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that an Oj~cial Meeting
is to be held in the
CITY OF COL UMBIA HEIGHTS
as fouows.'
Meeting of:
Date of Meeting:
Time of Meeting:
Location of Meeting:
Purpose of Meeting:
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 4, 2000
7:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
A GENDA
1. Call to Order - Roll Call
,
Presentation of 2001 Budget and Tax Levy Information
Walter R. Fehst, City Manager and William J. Elrite, Finance Director, will present information.
MOTION: Move to schedule the date for the adoption of the city budget and tax levy for
December 1 lth at approximately 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
3. Adjournment
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with
disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped
persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary
at 706-3611, to make arrangements. (TDD/706-3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only)
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
City of Columbia Heights
Troth in Taxation Hearing
on the 2001 Proposed Budget
and Property Taxes
December 4, 2000
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2001 PROPOSED BUDGET
AND PROPERTY TAXES
Table of Contents
2001 Budget Message .........................................................................................................1-1
2001 All Budgetary Funds Expenditures By Functional Area .........................................1-12
2001 All Budgetary Funds Expenditures By Classification .............................................1-13
Major Expenditure Increases ............................................................................................1-14
Proposed Property Taxes ..................................................................................................1 - 15
Changes in State Aid ........................................................................................................1-16
2001 General and Library Fund Expenditures by Functional Area ..................................1-17
Changes in Tax Levy 1998-2001 ......................................................................................1-18
Class Rate Percentages by Real Property Type ................................................................1-19
Where Your Property Taxes Go ........................................................................................1-20
What will $27 a Month Buy? ............................................................................................1-21
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
2001 BUDGET MESSAGE
This budget message accompanies the 2001 budget document distributed to the City Council
and available to the public.
Overview
Budget Highlights
Expenditures: As reflected in the budget, departmental budgets for tax-supported funds went
up by less than 1%. This was primarily due to holding the line on all increases. The following
chart shows the major expenditure increases:
Fire
Parks
Weed Control
Finance
Streets
Recognition/Special Events
General Government Building
Tree Trimming
Street Lighting
City Manager
Traffic Signs & Signals
Murzyn Hall
2000 Budget
769 507
638 648
8 981
549 621
638 438
47 528
125,900
42,940
121,875
388,852
67,375
243,692
2001 Budget
805,299
655,869
24,237
563, 138
643,549
52,220
130 000
46 948
125 489
391 945
70.452
246.166
Increase/Decrease
from 2000
35,792
17,221
15,256
13,517
5,111
4,692
4,100
4,008
3,614
3,093
3,077
2,474
The other two major sources of state revenue to the City of Columbia Heights are Homestead
and Agricultural Credit Aid (HACA) and Local Government Aid (LGA), The following chart
shows the increases in these state aids for 2001 compared to 2000.
2000 Budget 2001 Budget
HACA 1,004,122 1,004,368
LGA 2,325,029 2,385,618
Total 3,329,151 3,389,986
Increase from Prior Year 75,600 60,835
In addition to state aid, the next major source of revenue for the govemmental funds is
property taxes. In this area, the state legislature has made several changes since 1997.
These changes involved a new class rate structure, which significantly shifted the property
tax burden from commercial industrial property to residential property. In.addition to this, the
state legislature imposed property tax levy limits on the City for the years 1998 through 2000.
With these property tax levy limits, the City was severely restricted as to the revenue it could
generate to cover essential expenses.
The following chart shows the breakdown of the City's levy for the years 1999 and 2000, and
the proposed levy for 2001. As the chart reflects, the City's levy increase for the years 1999
and 2000 was very minimal. To finance expenses in these years, the City relied heavily on
reserves that are accumulated in the City's general fund balance. At the present time, all
excess reserves have been utilized and it is essential that the City realize a significant
property tax increase to fund the 2001 budget. The total of the property tax increases for the
last three years is also reflected in the following chart and shows an average three-year
property tax increase of 4.4%.
PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES, 1999 - 2001
1999 2000 2001
Library
EDA
General Fund
Total Levy
Area Wide (Fiscal Disparities)
Local Levy
467,518 500,244 547,767
111,048 119,296 119,295
2,660,059 2,676,416 2,958,490
3,238,625 3,295,956 3,625,552
895,985 922,696 930,332
2,343,540 2,373,260 2,695,220
Total
Three-Year
Levy
9,736,015
Levy Increase from Prior Year
Percent of Increase
37,191 57,331 329,596 424,118
1.2% 1.8% 10.0% 4.4%
The next major factor in the property tax formula was the state legislature's restructuring of
class rate percentages for real property taxes payable in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Although the
changes were made to the class rate structure in these years, they will affect property taxes
paid in future years. The major change was a significant shift in the tax capacity value from
commercial industrial and residential non-homestead to residential homesteaded property.
As you can see from the following chart, there is a slight reduction in tax capacity rates for
homes over $76,000. The reduction is from 2% in 1997 to 1.65% in 2000. However, there is
a more significant reduction for commercial industrial property and residential non-
homesteaded property. The net result is that a significant amount of the tax revenue
previously paid by commercial industrial properties and residential non-homesteaded
properties is now picked up by homesteaded residential properties.
1-2
CLASS RATE PERCENTAGES BY REAL PROPERTY TYPE
TAXES PAYABLE 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
Real Property
Description
Residential homestead
First $72,000
Over $72,000
First $75,000
Over $75,000
First $76,000
Over $76,000
Commercial-Industrial
and public utility
First $100,000
Over $100,000
First $150,000
Over $150,000
Residential non-
homestead, 1 unit
First $72,000
Over $72,000
First $75,000
Over $75,000
First $76,000
Over $76,000
Residential non-
homestead, 2-3 units
Residential non-
homestead
4 or more units
Payable 1997
Class Rate
Payable 1998
Class Rate
Payable 1999
Class Rate
Payable 2000
and 2001
Class Rate
1.00%
2.00%
1.00% 1.00%
1.85% 1.70%
1.00%
1.65%
3.00%
4.60%
2.70% 2.45% 2.40%
4.00% 3.50% 3.40%
2.30%
2.30%
1.90% 1.25%
2.10% 1.70%
1.20%
1.65%
2.30% 2.10% 1.70% 1.65%
3.40% 2.90% 2.50% 2.40%
Economic Environment
As indicated in the Moody's Municipal Credit Report for the City of Columbia Heights, our
finances remain satisfactory with reasonable General Fund reserves. As a result, the City has
maintained an A1 bond rating. Our revenue structure is somewhat vulnerable to economic
pressure since approximately 42% of our General Fund revenue base comes from state,
homestead, and local governmental aid, and 36% of our General Fund revenue base is from
local property taxes. As these aids and the City's property tax revenue are received in the last
six months of the year, the City has been maintaining a cash flow fund balance equal to 40% of
the General Fund operating budget. Subsequently, although it may appear that we have a
significant fund balance reserve, it is actually dedicated to cash flow purposes.
The City's primary source for increased revenue is through property tax levies. Over the past
several years, the City Council has maintained a very conservative profile in increasing taxes by
minimal percentages. To maintain the quality of services provided to the residents of Columbia
Heights, it may be necessary to develop a policy of a slightly higher property tax increase.
However, due to the state imposed levy limits for 1998 through 2000, the City was restricted
from implementing minimal property tax increases. As a result of this legislative restriction, the
City was forced to implement a higher property tax levy for the 2001 budget. However, even
with the larger increase for the 2001 budget; the average three~year increase in property taxes
was only 4.4%. As part of the City's property tax revenue, the City does receive an area wide
fiscal disparities tax distribution from commercial property in other communities. The basis of
this area wide fiscal disparities property tax distribution is to collect property taxes on
commercial property throughout the metropolitan area and then redistribute this area wide
property tax to communities such as Columbia Heights, which has a limited commercial property
tax base. Under the fiscal disparities area wide tax system the City of Columbia Heights
benefits significantly. It is projected that the City of Columbia Heights will receive over $930,000
in 2001 from tax on commercial property in other communities.
1-4
Significant Highlights on Expenditures by
Functional Area
Administration
The Administration function includes Mayor, City Council, City
Manager, assessing, and legal. The total proposed 2001
budget is $949,959, which is an increase of $5,163 over the
2000 adopted budget of $944,796. The largest concentration of
this increase is in personal services, which is up $4,173 due to
wage increases and movement of employees through the pay
plan. It should be noted that this amount does not include
wage increases for the year 2001 as union contracts have not
been settled. Another item of significance is $21,500 in the
Mayor/Council budget for contingencies. It is estimated that
approximately $10,000 of this amount will be used if the council
decides begin publishing council minutes or regular media
updates in a local newspaper. The remaining amount is for
general contingencies and unknowns that may come up during
the year. Another item in this functional area is the continued
increase of legal expenses. Staff is recommending that the
legal budget be reviewed during 2001 with consideration being
ADM INIST RAT ION
EXPENDITURE SUM MARY
1,000,000-r'
900.000j-
800,000
700,000 -
600,000
1998 1999 2000 2001
at Personal Service~ rl Supplies
BOther Swvices & Charges ICapital Outlay
EiConl ingertcies & Transfers
given to hiring in-house legal staff, contracting separately for civil process and prosecution, and
soliciting requests for proposals for the provision of other legal services,
Community Development
This functional area covers all services previously provided by
the Housing & Redevelopment Authority in addition to expanded
areas of economic development and building inspection
services. The specific departments covered am building
inspections, administration, Community Development Block
Grant, Parkview Villa, Economic Development Authority,
Housing Redevelopment Authority, multi-use redevelopment,
and some miscellaneous housing programs. This functional area
of the City was created in 1996 with the establishment of the
EDA and the transfer of previous HRA staff to the EDA as a City
department. In recent years this budget has seen several
changes and modifications with the increases and decreases to
the Community Development Block Grant and Home programs,
along with significant changes in the Section 8 Housing program.
During the year 2000 the Section 8 program was transferred
back to Metro HRA, freeing the City of any and all
responsibilities for the administration of that program. In addition
to this, the MHFA loan program was contracted to an outside agency to manage.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
1998 1999 2000
IPemonal Services aSupplies
lOther Services and Charges atCapital Outlay
gContingencies & Transfers
~:'~
2001
]-5
Finance Department
This functional area covers elections, finance, information
systems, and utility billing administration for the water, sanitary
sewer, storm sewer, and refuse departments. The total budget
increase for 2001 is $20,577. This increase does not include
cost of living pay increases, as union contracts were not settled~.2oo.0oo/:., ~:
at the time the budget was developed. The most significant 1,ooo.ooo/-:
items of note within this budget are within the IS Department.aoo
During the year 2000, several significant advancements were coo
made in the City's networking system which included the 4oo
upgrading of file servers and computers to pride employees 2oo
with faster, more reliable access to information. Additionally, 0
2000 saw the implementation of the GroupWise program which leas 1999 2000
provides efficient e-mail and calendar services to all computer=P. rso..,s~..s...,,.
BCont~ngencies & Transfers
users. The e-mail system under GroupWise is linked to the .o~.,s~..o.dc.~..c.,,=,ou.y
Internet to allow for sending and retrieving e-mail over the
Internet. Possibly the most significant item was the
FINANCE
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
2001
coordination between the IS Department and the Special Projects Coordinator to establish a city
Web site. The Web site presently allows for basic City information but the plan is to significantly
expand the Web site in 2001 to give Intemet users greater access to city information. The most
significant budget reduction item for 2001 is in the Election Department. Since the City has
gone to even year elections, there is not an election budget for 2001. This results in a savings
of approximately $37,000. With the change to even year elections, this is the amount the City
saves on a bi-annual basis.
Fire
This functional area is comprised of the Fire and Civil Defense
departments. Overall total expenditures increased by $31,555.
The most significant item in the Fire Department budget for 2001
is the purchase of an SUV to replace old engine number 6. This
will be used by the firefighters for daytime inspections, medical900,000-
calls, and transportation to and from emergency scenes. This .oo,ooo-,
700
will significantly lower maintenance costs and reduce wear on
the City's ambulance. It will also extend the life of the 5oo.ooo-1 []
ambulance from 5 to 8 years. The replacement life of an SUV ;::::::q
should be 10 years. The other major cost item is the purchase ~:::::; q ·
of a new, large capacity washing machine for turnout gear o-
purposes. The current washer will not wash a complete set of 1998 1999
turnout gear and is in need of significant repair. The Fire
Department takes the tumout gear to Fridley Fire to wash. This -,.,.. s..
practice is basically unacceptable as it consumes a significant lo~s.-,,i,=.acr,..o. ICapitelOuliay
mConlingencies&Tranlers
amount of time and gear frequently is not washed as regularly as
needed. In the 2000 budget the Fire Department was allocated
$10,000 to update the current self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). After careful
consideration, the Fire Chief decided that spending $10,000 to update five-year old equipment
would not be in the best interest of the department. It is his recommendation to allocate the
funds to the 2005 budget, at which time the SCBA's will be replaced with new ones.
FIRE
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
[] _
2000 2001
]-6
Genera/Government
This functional area as a grouping was created new for the 1998
budget process. It is a collection of all the departmental areas
that are not specifically assigned to one division head. This
functional area includes the following departments: general
government buildings, recognition/special events, contingencies
and transfers, cable television, refuse, funds, and hazardous
waste. The most significant reduction in this functional area for
2001 is in the General Fund Transfers budget. The 2000 budget
included several one-time transfers, the most significant of which
was $181,378 to the Community Development Department to
cover their over-expending deficits for 1998, 1999 and 2000. It
also included a $256,800 transfer to the Park Capital
Improvement fund. This fund provides funding for improvements
in the city park system. The last one-time item in the 2000
budget was $150,000 transferred to the General Government
Buildings budget for the new telephone system. With the
elimination of these one-time transfers, the transfers for 2001
amount to $400,000, with the largest single transfer being $250,000 to fund the Community
Development Department.
GENERAL
GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
3.500,000-/ ·
3,000,000 / ' ;'
2,500,000 '
2,000,0~ '/'" .
1,500,000
1,000,000 ' '
500,00
- . : .
1998 1999 2000 2001
Library
The City's library is located at 820 40th Avenue. The library's
main goal is to provide free access to informational and
recreational materials for the patrons in a pleasant environment
conducive to the acquisition of knowledge. A variety of library-
related programs (e.g. storytimes, reading clubs, filmtimes,
homebound delivery, etc.) are offered for patrons of all ages
from preschool through senior citizen. As a city-supported
library, Columbia Heights participates in the MELSA regional
system through a contract with the Anoka County library system,
State-wide Borrowers Compact, and METRONET. This enables
Columbia Heights patrons to gain access to special services and
scholarly materials available to other participating libraries. For
2001, the library budget is up $31,554. The major areas of
increase in the budget are personal services, $3,919; other
services and charges, $7,865; capital outlay, $7,400; and _=~,:~c~
contingencies and transfers in the amount of $11,865. Included
in that amount is a provision for pay increases in 2001, as union
contracts had not been settled at the time the budget was completed. The primary funding for
the library is through property taxes, which are $547,767 or an increase of $47,523 over the
2000 budget. Other major revenue items in the budget are charges for services, $6,575; fines
and forfeits, $15,000; and interest on investment eamings of $2,500. For 2001 the total
proposed revenue for the library is $571,842.
LIBRARY
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
60C),000~~;~
500,000 '
400,000
300,000 / i
0-'
1998 1999 2000 2001
1-?
Liquor
The liquor function is comprised of three liquor stores,
Top Valu I, Top Valu II, and Heights Liquor, along with a capitalLIQUOR
equipment replacement fund for each of the three stores. Top EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
Valu I is located at 4340 Central Avenue. This store opened in
November of 1984 and was the City's first endeavor into a large
volume discount liquor operation. Since it's opening it has
been very successful. The City's second endeavor along this
line was Top Valu II at 2241 37th Avenue. This store follows the
same concept as Top Valu I and opened in April of 1994. As
this store is located in a lower traffic area, its growth has been
slower but very steady. Each year it shows a progressive
increase in sales and profitability. With the opening of the new
Cub store at Apache Plaza, we have seen a significant
increase in business and profitability. Heights Liquor is the third
store and is located at 5225 University Avenue. This store was
opened in 1964 and has remained a small, traditional liquor
aContingendes & Trandem
store. It does not operate on a high volume discount basis.
Markups are higher at this store, along with profitability, which is due primarily to taking
advantage of high volume purchasing discounts based on the volume purchased at Top Valu
and the lower overhead expenses of a city-owned operation. The net result is that for a small,
, = ,::::-:,
1,200,O00J
":::Z;'': ::
600,000
400,000 /III
'"'":;: !. !
1998 1999 2000 2001
traditional liquor store, Heights Liquor is the City's most profitable store. As this store was built
in 1964, it no longer meets the needs of the City's liquor operation. It is far too small to service
the customer base that frequents the store. In addition to this, due to being adjacent to a
residential neighborhood, we have received several concerns regarding the high traffic pattern.
It is staff's recommendation that a new store be constructed in this area that will accommodate
the high-volume business we are experiencing and better facilitate the needs and concerns of
the residents.
Police
This functional area is comprised of the Police Department,
animal control, DARE, and capital equipment replacement.
The most significant item in this budget is personnel costs.
Over the past several years department staffing has been
increased from 22 sworn officers to 26 through the addition of
three officers by federal grants, and one additional officer over
and above the grant requirements. In 1999 all grant funding
and the requirement to maintain this staffing level ended. The
City Council needs to address the increased staffing level in the
Police Department. Without the continued grant revenue, the
addition of four sworn officers is a significant increase in the
Police Department budget. For 2001 the total projected
personnel costs in the Police Department budget are
$2,119,703. This is after the City Manager reduced the
department staffing by one community service officer.
POLICE
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
f"
1998 lg~ 2(X)O 2001
However, the City Council chose to add the community service officer back to the budget. Other
areas of significant budget increases in the proposed 2001 budget are supplies, which
increased by $14,050, and other services and charges which increased by $13,123. Total
1-8
capital outlay is down by $41,750, which does result in a total Police Department budget
decrease of $44,060. Some of the significant areas of change in the budget are that general
personnel services shows a slight decrease due to the number of officers who retired or
resigned in the past year. The personnel budget does show an increase of $1,320 due to
adding one additional corporel position. The reason for this was to help provide the department
around the clock supervision. With the number of young, inexperienced officere in the field, it is
critical that we have this supervision available as much of the time as possible. This change is
not the addition of a new position but merely upgrading a current officer to the level of corporel.
Also included is $2,450 to cover the cost of sending the support services supervisor to the
annual Visions software conference which will help to keep the department up to date on the
new Records Management system. Repair and Maintenance Service costs went up $3,000
which reflects the cost of the new T1 telephone line that is used to connect the department to
the State of Minnesota and also one-half year maintenance on our shared digital fingerprinting
equipment purchased with the Fddley and Spring Lake Park Police Departments. The final
significant item is $4,000 budgeted for building improvements, which include new carpet and tile
for the Police Department.
I Public Works
This functional area is comprised of several departments
crossing severel funds. One of the significant advantages of
the functional area budget format adopted in 1998 is that it
shows the entire Public Works function in one area. Areas
covered are engineering, streets, weed control, parks, tree
progrems, water utility, sewer utility, garege, and capital
equipment replacement funds for the Public Works operetion.
The total Public Works budget for 2001 is $7,247,426
compared to a 2000 budget of $7,670,063. The major area
of decrease was in capital outlay. Items of significant interest
in the 2001 Public Works Department are detailed as follows.
The first item is in relationship to state aid construction. In
1999 the City was asked by the Office of State Aid to provide
a detailed five-year progrem explaining how Columbia
Heights plans to spend down its excess Minnesota state aid
fund balance. Consistent with that request, a five-year plan
was developed. The year 2001 state aid construction budget
PUBLIC WORKS
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
1998 1999 2000 2001
mPersonal Services nSt~plies
mOth~ Services and Charges ICapital Outlay
i3 Conlingenciee & Trwtsferi
follows that plan and primarily is represented by Centrel Avenue reconstruction, retaining wall
construction, and seal coating of state aid streets west of Centrel Avenue. In the infrastructure
fund the rehabilitation of city streets east of Centrel Avenue, which is covered by zone 5, is
planned for construction in 2001. Now that MnDOT has certified that our state aid system is
complete, state aid money will be available to assist with the reconstruction of non-state aid
streets. The centrel garege is another major aspect of the Public Works budget. This fund
currently provides for the maintenance of approximately 300 pieces of equipment in addition to
housing engineering and public works staff. With the 2001 budget, a plan is being implemented
to set aside funds to begin overdue maintenance and renovation of the building. It is the intent
to set aside money for two to three years to start these improvements with the possibility of
bonding for the total project to be completed in approximately three years.
Recreation
Recreation is comprised of several departments including RECREATION
administration, youth athletics, youth enrichment, adult athletics,
traveling athletics, Back to the Parks program, trips and outings, EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
senior citizens, and Murzyn Hall management. One item of
significant note in Recreation is that the Senior Citizen program "',"'~ :~::! i:'! :~::E~:: ::::':'- ~:"
has grown tremendously. Because of this growth, the budget
has increased for funding of the Senior Exercise program and
supplies to accommodate the growing number of participants.
The Youth Athletics budget is relatively the same as it was in
2000. The main reason this budget has not increased is due to
the contributions of the Columbia Heights Athletic Boostere. The
majority of equipment purchased for this program is paid for with
the money the boosters donate. The Adult Athletics program
has had an increase in staffing with the anticipation of expanding
199~ 1~1 2000 2001
the programs we offer. Some of the programs we are -,.~,~s~.. as.,. I
considering expanding are adult sand volleyball, indoor
volleyball, and broomball. The Youth Enrichment budget has
increased by $1,340. This increase is due primarily to summer
staff annual wage increases. Youth Enrichment Special Events programs have been well
attended and are a large part of this budget. The Puppet Wagon, which has been a huge
success, is funded under this program. The Traveling Athletics budget has a decrease of
$1,131 for 2001. The major areas of change are in memberships and expert and professional
services. Due to the fact that we have fewer participants in traveling athletics we are registering
fewer teams. This accounts for a budget decrease of $2,500. At the same time, expert and
professional services has increased by $1,100 due to the fact that we are now having a
Professional Officials Association provide officials for all of our traveling games. The Murzyn
Hall budget for 2001 has increased by $29,474. Personnel services has been increased due to
step increases for our part-time custodial staff. Building improvements has $2,000 budgeted for
the installation of magnetic door holders. Other significant items are the anticipated purchase of
a stove in the kitchen for $3,300 and new scheduling software for $2,500:
Conclusion
The above narrative should give an overview of the most salient changes and assumptions
included in the budget. As much as feasible this is a hold-the-line budget. Property taxes have
seen a significant increase due to state-imposed levy limits for the past three years. However,
looking at the overall average of property tax increases for the past three years, the percentage
is relatively low at 4.4%. The budget does give high priority'to public safety efforts for the
continuation of a high-staffing level in the Police Department. Even with tight budgets, the City
has put forth every effort to continue to fund the one community service officer and the three
additional police officer positions that were established under federal grants, and to fund the 26th
officer position that was an add-on above the number of officers provided by federal grants. The
cost to the City to maintain these positions in salades and benefits is over $256,000, when you
include uniform and vehicle expenses for these positions the total is basically equivalent to the
City levy increase. In essence, if the City chose not to maintain these positions, there would not
be a need for a levy increase. Included with this budget document are summary schedules for
revenues and expenditures, personnel, and the detailed capital budget requests. These are
1-10
intended to provide an overview of the total City budget. Each functional section and department
within the budget includes a narrative of the departments' major goals and objectives.
The budget process is a major undertaking by City staff and the City Council, which requires a
great deal of work performed by all involved to bring the process to a successful conclusion. I
extend my appreciation in this endeavor to all department directors 'and their staff, and a special
thanks to Barb Kelzenberg, Gary Braaten, and Sue Schmidtbauer for their time in compiling the
budget and their extensive efforts in ensuring the accuracy of the entire document. This is a very
trying and exhausting endeavor, and their extensive efforts are greatly appreciated.
1-11
13<1:
Z
W LL_
(/) C
0
LL!
C:~
C::)
iii i
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
O0
~1'~!'
O0 ~0 ~0
O~ O0 O0
O0 O0 O0
O0 O~ ~
0
~. ~ i ~o°°o.oo°o°o°o'i oooo ~
~LZO~OLZO S"O~O ~ZOi~OLZ-O
0 0
WHAT WILL $27 A MONTH BUY?
(Based on 2001 Property Tax)
Telephone
$27 a Month Buys Quality and Quantity
in the City of Columbia Heights
Dinner for 4
Garbage Pick-Up
Columbia Heights City Services
Cable TV
Parks Streets Police Fire
The average home in Columbia Heights pays $27 per month in city real estate taxes. The average Columbia Heights'
resident will spend $27 every month on various services and pleasures, i.e., pizza and pop for four at a local restaurant,
basic cable TV for the family, monthly phone services, etc. The best value for your money in Columbia Heights is still all
of the city services that $27 of your monthly property tax will buy! (Based on a $94,300 home in Columbia Heights.)
1-21