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City Council Minutes <br /> December 3, 2013 <br /> Page 3of10 <br /> Mayor Adams explained that the City certified a preliminary levy of an <br /> 8.91% increase from the 2013 levy. She stated that the levy has now been <br /> further reduced to a 0.40% increase. <br /> Nancy Malecha, Finance Director/Deputy City Clerk, gave a power point <br /> presentation on the proposed 2014 budgets and levy. Key points in the <br /> presentation included: <br /> • City levy history from 2009 to present <br /> • Review of the projected tax levy fund revenues and expenditures <br /> • Review of the HRA levy history from 2009 to present <br /> • Review of the special enterprise fund revenues and expenditures <br /> • The amount of money the City paid in sales tax in 2012 and the <br /> amount the City was able to reduce the budgets in 2014 due to the <br /> sales tax exemption <br /> • Review of the 2013 and 2014 City tax rates <br /> • Review of possible factors contributing to property tax increases <br /> Mayor Adams proposed to further reduce the general fund levy by $4,000 <br /> by using fund balance to purchase computers. This reduction would result <br /> in a 0.13% increase in the levy. <br /> Mayor Adams opened the public hearing. <br /> Michael Czech, 3816 Wildlife Trail questioned why there is a shortfall <br /> between expenditures and revenues. The Mayor explained that the City <br /> has used some of its general fund balance to cover the shortfall. <br /> Council Member Pederson explained that the City has worked very hard at <br /> keeping the tax levy as close as it was last year. <br /> Sal Sposito, 32248 Rolling Meadows Lane, questioned the logic for <br /> equalizing the urban and rural tax rates. Council Member Sjoblad stated <br /> that the reason was because of the 50% difference in tax rates between <br /> the township and the city. Council Member Pederson explained that there <br /> is a need to reduce the City's tax rate to be more in line with surrounding <br /> communities. <br /> Michael Czech, 3816 Wildlife Trail, stated that the rural community tax rate <br /> is going up by 35%. He suggested splitting the taxes by the number of <br /> property owners in the city. <br /> Jim Eder, 3011 White Oak Road questioned why the taxes were not <br /> `,, equalized over a longer period of time. Council Member Sjoblad explained <br />