HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-12-05 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
December 05, 2005
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The Corcoran City Council met on December 05, 2005, at city hall in Corcoran,
Minnesota. Present were Mayor Cossette, Councilor Grabowski, Councilor Jacobs,
Councilor Lymangood, and Councilor Thomas. Also present were Administrator
Vergin and Clerk Lindberg. Mayor Cossette called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Agenda Approval
MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas, to approve the agenda as
presented. Voting Aye: Cossette, Grabowski, Jacobs, Lymangood, and Thomas.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Introduction by Mayor Cossette
Mayor Cossette explained the purpose of the Truth in Taxation hearing was to
discuss the City of Corcoran’s 2006 proposed budget. Cossette reviewed the six
budget workshops held by the Council prior to the Truth in Taxation hearing and
presented an overview of how the City’s tax rate was calculated. In conclusion,
Cossette noted some of the changes that influenced the 2006 budget were 24/7
police coverage, first hour planning services for land use applicants, increase in the
administrative assistant hours, and the use of a Park and Trails consultant.
Staff Presentation
Administrator Vergin used a PowerPoint presentation to review the budgeting
process. Vergin showed several slides comparing revenue and expenditure trends
for the City of Corcoran, employee history, tax rate calculations for all school
districts, reserve fund balances, and a City asset and debt comparison. Vergin noted
the following items affected the 2006 budget for the City of Corcoran:
• Increase in policing staff to maintain 24/7 coverage.
• Expenses for the 2006 election.
• Increase in administrative assistant staff hours.
• First hour of planning services for land use applications to be paid by the
City.
• Consultant costs to work with the Parks and Trails Commission.
• Accountant costs due to State mandates for GASB requirements.
• On going litigation.
• Fuel cost increases.
Vergin’s review of the City’s revenues detailed a decrease in interest rates and a
decrease or elimination of grants and aids created the necessity to shift more of the
tax burden to the taxpayer.
Public Comments
Ken Kluck – 21800 County Road 50 – suggested Public Works not purchase a
backhoe by contracting the service.
Mike Patnode – 22610 County Road 50 – did not feel there was a need for more
parks in Corcoran.
Dennis Stieg – 19320 Stieg Road - commented on the need to plan for parks and
trails prior to property being developed.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Approval
Introduction by Mayor
Cossette
Staff Presentation
Public Comments
CITY OF CORCORAN
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
December 05, 2005
Page -2-
Jim Reader – 6200 Rolling Hills Road – questioned the need for a path along
County Road 19. Vergin reported Hennepin County and State Aid funds will be
paying for the improvements and there would be no taxes levied to the citizens of
Corcoran to pay for the project. Vergin offered to meet with Mr. Reader to explain
the funding that will be used. Mr. Reader was concerned with the continued
increase in all taxes and does not think the City needs a 24/7 police department.
Konstandinos Nicklow – stated he was present to represent a home owner that
could not attend the hearing. Mr. Nicklow said the resident had concern regarding
the taxes on the property on which a new home had been built.
Council Comments
Cossette stated there was a time when he felt the City’s budget was inflated, but
has learned there are other factors involved.
Thomas said the increase of the police department’s budget was in result of the
overwhelming demand of Corcoran’s citizens wanting 24/7 coverage in lieu of
paying Hennepin County for coverage. Thomas emphasized the need to promote
commercial properties to increase the tax capacity of the City. Thomas favored an
Economic Development Authority to help facilitate commercial growth.
Lymangood suggested using land acreage to determine the current asset value of
land owned by the City of Corcoran. Lymangood said he doesn’t and will not
support this budget. Lymangood said he had suggested negotiating decreased fire
service fees, cutting the Public Works budget by 2%, expanding the tax base, and
reducing the hours of the Code Enforcement Officer.
The current budget will be brought to the Council for approval at the December 22,
2005 meeting.
Adjournment
MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30
p.m. Voting Aye: Cossette, Grabowski, Jacobs, Lymangood, and Thomas. (Motion
carried 5:0)
______________________________
Bea Lindberg, Clerk/Treasurer
Council Comments
Adjournment