9.1. SR 06-18-2018 Eclty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 9.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session June 18, 2018 Lori Ziemer, Finance Director
Item Description Reviewed by
2019 Budget Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discuss 2019 budget process and provide feedback.
Background/Discussion
Staff has begun developing their preliminary 2019 budgets and budget meetings will soon be scheduled
with department directors and/or division managers to review their preliminary budget request. All of
this leads up to the Council adopting a maximum tax levy prior to September 30,with the final budget
being adopted in December.
Proposed Budget Schedule
■ June 18 Council Work Session—General 2019 budget discussion and process.
■ July/August Budget Work Sessions —Presentation to Council of proposed budgets.
➢
1"Budget Work Session—Monday,July 30 or Wednesday, August 1.
➢ 211d Budget Work Session—Monday, August 13 or Wednesday, August 15.
➢ Additional Work Session (if needed) —Wednesday,August 22 or Monday, August 27.
■ September 17 Regular Meeting—Approve maximum tax levy.
■ October/November— Continue budget, Capital Improvement Plan and tax levy discussion.
■ December 3 Regular Meeting—Present and adopt final budget and tax levy.
Change in Net Tax Capacity
Early spring estimates from the county indicate residential market values increasing approximately 9.5%
and commercial/industrial values increasing slightly over 1%. Until updates are available from the
county,we will use a 7-8% increase in NTC as we begin the budget process. The following table shows
the changes in the city's tax rate and taxable net tax capacity values over the past five years.
Tax Payable Year 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Tax Rate 46.011% 46.193% 46.170% 47.190% 48.544%
Taxable Net Tax Capacity $24,046,382 $22,868,723 $22,031,258 $21,227,938 $20,298,760
% Increase in NTC 5.15% 3.80% 3.78% 4.58% 0.49%
The Elk River Vision
A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAMIRE1
Wages and Benefits
The non-union compensation plan is nearing completion and will be factored into the 2019 budget. All
the bargaining union contracts (Patrol, Sergeants, and 49er's) are effective until December 2018 and up
for negotiation for 2019. The employer contribution to the Police & Fire PERA is increasing 0.75%,
from 16.2% to 16.95%,in 2019 and will increase to 17.7%in 2020.
State Aid
The estimated Local Government Aid (LGA) we can expect to receive in 2019 is about$329,000. The
LGA is budgeted in the Equipment Replacement Fund which makes it easier to adjust and reprioritize
equipment needs versus immediate General Fund operational changes should LGA be eliminated or
reduced.
The city receives state aid that is apportioned for the fire relief association. The correct reporting
standard is to recognize the fire state aid revenue with an offsetting expenditure in the fire department for
payment to the fire relief association.
Transfers In
Transfers are made each year to the General Fund from the Waste Water,Liquor, Storm Water, Garbage,
EDA and HRA funds to cover costs associated with providing internal services to those funds. We will
review the transfers to ensure they cover services used. The exception is the Liquor Fund transfer,which
is significantly higher to offset other operating expenditures. The transfer from ERMU is allocated to the
General Fund and Equipment Replacement Fund.
Budget Assumptions
■ Preliminary budget will be drafted based on the same level of service as in 2018.
■ Most revenue items are stable and consistent with last year and we continue to monitor building
activity and revenue updates.
■ The state fuel contract will be used for 2019 —fuel price will start at$2.75 per gallon.
■ The tax abatement levy will increase about$16,000 due to the addition of a tax abatement
agreement in 2019.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
■ N/A
N:APublic Bodies\Agenda Packets\06-18-2018\Final\x9.1 sr 2019 Budget.docx