08-29-2022 Special Budgetof
,. Special Meeting of the Elk River City Council
Ver Held at the Elk River City Hall
Monday, August 29, 2022
Members Present: Mayor John Dietz, Councilmembers Garrett Christianson, Mike
Beyer, Matt Westgaard, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Calvin Portner (online), Human Resources
Manager Lauren Wipper, and Records Specialist Katie Porath
I . Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 4:31 p.m. by Mayor Dietz.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. 2023 Budget
Ms. Ziemer presented the staff report. Council must approve the preliminary tax levy
at the September 6, 2022, council meeting.
Mayor Dietz proposed a 4% cost of living increase for employees and the 50th%tile
compensation plan adjustment for employees. The mayor was in favor of hiring a
planning intern but no other personnel requests. He was in favor of moving an
additional $250,000 from the Liquor Fund into the General Fund. He proposed
using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for financing police and dump truck
vehicle purchases as well as a down payment on the fire department ladder truck.
Mayor Dietz added he was in favor of adding only two of the three debt service
payments onto the levy and leaving the Public Works Facility debt off the levy.
Mayor Dietz stated he feels it is an "extraordinary" year for property increases and
rising interest rates should help slow things down.
Councilmember Westgaard added that new properties will change the tax capacity.
There has been a rise in permits for commercial and residential building.
Council discussed how to pay for the vehicles the fire department will need over the
next few years which amounts to around $3 million. Council directed Ms. Ziemer to
ask the bank about the interest rate on equipment certificates as well as research how
other cities finance large vehicle purchases.
City Council Minutes Page 2
August 29, 2022
Mayor Dietz felt that liquor store funds should be evaluated each year.
Mr. Portner stated the Council could consider holding the General Fund reserve at
the lower end (40%) of the policy since the city is not planning on selling any bonds
in the near future.
Council asked if it was "mission critical' to hire any of the requested staff. Mr.
Portner outlined the proposed staffing level needs.
Council discussed how to use ARPA funds before the December 2024 deadline.
They discussed using the funds to offset the General Fund budget or for vehicle
purchases.
Mr. Portner proposed financing fire trucks through an internal loan from other
funds — such as Wastewater. Council seemed in favor of this option to finance fire
truck purchases.
Ms. Ziemer added there was some money remaining in the Great River Energy
(GRE) reserve fund.
Council discussed how to use the $6,500 donation from the Elk River Ministerial
Association and proposed to use it for the pickleball court shade shelters.
Council agreed to an 8.7% increase to the General Fund budget with the
understanding that this amount could be lowered.
Ms. Ziemer suggested lowering the proposed amount for fuel costs since the price of
fuel has decreased recently.
Council agreed to maintain the proposed fuel cost amount until the budget was
finalized in December.
4. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Dietz adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 5:39 p.m.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
1 ATVRE