ORTONVILLE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
TRUTH IN TAXATION
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OFFICE MEETING
ROOM
315 Madison Avenue, Ortonville, MN
Monday, December 1, 2008
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO
ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
Mayor
Blair Johnson called the Special Meeting of the Ortonville City Council to
order at 6:00 P.M. Roll Call was taken with the following Present: Mayor
Johnson, Nick Anderson, Craig Randleman, Steve Berkner, Bob Meyer, John
Cunningham, and Mike Dorry. Staff Present: City Administrator David Lang,
Deputy City Clerk Susan Lundell. Media Present: Mike Swenson
(Ortonville Independent). Others Present: OAHS Administrator Rick Ash,
OAHS Chief Financial Officer Jim Foster, Carolyn Drude, Ehlers &
Associates, Inc., John Henningsgard and Steve Proeschel of Piper Jaffray,
OAHS Board Members Marilyn Lindahl, Bill Thyne, Mary Ann Ulrich, Ron
Thomas,
Alice
Radermacher, Marcy Stotesbery, Bruce Swigerd, Norman Schultz, Mel Ehlert,
Roy Bailey and other interested citizens.
2009 Truth In Taxation
Hearing
The 2009 Truth in Taxation Hearing
was called to order at 6:00 PM and recessed at 6:01 PM. Mayor Johnson
reconvened the TNT Hearing at 6:32 PM.
Mayor
Johnson reported the Proposed Budget increase for 2009 is 13.27% and the
Proposed 2009 Tax increase is 7%. The difference in the two percentages is
due to grant revenues coming into the Proposed Budget. Roy Bailey
expressed a concern regarding the projected taxes and utility expenses on
his new residence. He stated, “People are hurting” financially and asked,
“can we tighten our belts a little bit?” Dorry stated he is concerned
about the City transferring utility funds to pay for general fund
obligations, such as transferring sewer funds to the Golf Fund. Mayor
Johnson replied the City has looked at cuts in the police, pool and golf
budgets and stated, “We have cut everywhere we think we can.” Norman
Schultz raised a concern regarding the amount of tax increase on
commercial real estate.
Adjournment:
Mayor
Johnson closed the hearing by consensus at 6:50 P. M.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
_____________________
___________________
Blair
Johnson
David A. Lang
Mayor
Clerk-Administrator
