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City Council Minutes <br /> December 5, 2022 <br /> Page 5 of 9 <br /> per year starting in 2025 and the Council is trying to get ahead of that. <br /> Discussion ensued about state aid and that Pequot Lakes receives <br /> approximately$70,000 per year of Local Government Aid but that amount is <br /> lower every year. Discussion ensued about a decrease in staff and increase in <br /> contract services but still saving money by not replacing staff. Discussion ensued <br /> about project bid costs increasing, and equipment costs increasing especially <br /> when projects are pushed to future years. <br /> Council Member Pederson stated the one thing that will save the tax rate from <br /> going up is adding tax base and he said this has not been happening the last ten <br /> years or so. He stated Planning and Zoning has changed some ordinances to get <br /> growth to start happening. Mayor Gardner said what this growth does is it <br /> reduces what others will pay in taxes. Mr. Spiczka stated that the number the <br /> City can control is the tax rate and said the Council is trying to keep the tax rate <br /> flat at 50% instead of having huge increase one year and reducing it again the <br /> next year. Mayor Gardner stated that Jason Murray a David Drown financial <br /> associate came to a meeting and stated it is best to maintain at this flat rate. He <br /> said he likes the feedback and invites the public to be involved throughout the <br /> budgeting process. Discussion ensued about operational costs and project costs. <br /> Mayor Gardner stated that Mr. Czech questioned the HRA levy, and the Mayor <br /> explained the HRA is an additional levy which the City does not have control <br /> over. He explained the history of the loan and said the HRA provides housing to <br /> seniors and low-income individuals and families. He said the levy is to cover <br /> expenses greater than the revenue. Discussion ensued about rent being too low <br /> and that the City has co-signed a loan for this property, so they need to approve <br /> this levy. The Mayor explained the City has no control over the HRA and all they <br /> City does is appoint the members to the board. <br /> The Council thanked the residents for their input and invited them to future <br /> budget meetings. <br /> COUNCIL MEMBER RONNING MOVED TO APPROVE THE FINAL HRA AND <br /> CITY BUDGET AS PRESENTED AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 22-39 SETTING <br /> THE 2023 HRA LEVY AT$49,752 AND RESOLUTION 22-40 ADOPTING THE <br /> 2022 FINAL TAX LEVY COLLECTIBLE IN 2023 OF$2,241,200. COUNCIL <br /> MEMBER CLEMENT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. <br /> 5.3 Randy Loukota—WAC &SAC Fees <br /> Randy Loukota addressed the Council. He stated he is referring to his property <br /> located at 31100 Bell Avenue. He showed a picture to the Council of the <br /> property. He said he recently had water and sewer connected to the property and <br /> he is requesting Council to waive the WAC and SAC fees. Mr. Spiczka reminded <br /> the Council they approved a Wavier for new construction and infill in a certain <br /> zone. He stated this property is in the general location of the infill zone the waiver <br /> was approved for. Mr. Loukota confirmed with the Council they approved the split <br /> of his two lots earlier in the year to allow for two separate dwellings per lot. He <br />