HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 12-03-2007 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
December 3, 2007
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:06
p.m. in the Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on December 3, 2007.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Hewitt, Stein, Black, and
Murdock.
ABSENT: Co- uzcilmembers Willis and Bildsoe.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Director of Public Works Cote, Director ofCI
Community Development Juetten, Police Chief Goldstein, Finance Manager Bursheim,
City Assessor Hebert, Parks and Recreation Director Blank, Fire_ Chief Kline, and Deputy
City Clerk Olson.
Truth in Taxation Hearin6
City Manager Ahrens gave a presentation on the 2008 budget.) She described the new
biennial budget process they used this year for strategic and long term planning. She
stated the need to focus on continuous improvements and highlighted some of the
improvements for police, fire, parks and recreation, information technology, and
reconstruction, maintenance- and preservation. She also addressed the needs for the aging
housing stock within the City.
City Manager Ahrens reported that 50% of the city saw a decrease in taxes with 36%
seeing a less than 5% increase. She stated that compared with other cities, Plymouth .
maintains a low tax rate and showed a comparative table of other city tax rates.
City Manager Ahrens stated that an analysis of utility rates for water and sewer was
completed last year and increases were recommended to bring the City to where it should
be in terms of rates within the next 3-5 years.
City Manager outlined the two options for property tax relief.
Mayor Slavik opened the public hearing.
Jerry Rohlfsen, 640 Brockton Ln, has lived in the city many years and feels that the City
is fiscally well run. However, the City portion of his taxes has increased 15%. He would .
like to know what options he has. Mayor Slavik clarified that home valuation hearings
are in the spring but he can talk to the Assessing staff at any time about his home
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of December 7, 2007
Page 2 of 2
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valuation. She stated that lakeshore property has seen a larger increase and therefore his
taxes are higher.
With no other comments, Mayor Slavik closed the hearing. Council did not wish to
reconvene meeting at a later date.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
Kimberly lson, Deputy City Clerk