City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, September 03, 2024 at 5:30 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Mark Cross called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Acting Mayor Mark Cross and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt and Jeff Phillips were present. Mayor Darrel Olson was absent. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Police Chief Jim Exsted, Assistant Police Chief Matt Maier, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, Assistant Finance Director Brenda Brooks, and Community Development Director Josh Doty were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. 2025 Governmental Funds Budget Discussion Finance Director Vacinek presented the 2025 Governmental Funds Budget Discussion. The presentation included the initial review and discussion of the 2025 proposed governmental fund revenues and expenditures budgets, proposed operating and debt service property tax levy, and next steps. The 2025 proposed property tax levy required to fund the initial draft budget of $9,498,100, $601,400 increase from 2024 or a 6.8% overall increase. City Administrator Chapulis explained approximately 42% of the budget is contractual items. The council discussed reducing the parks budget down to a 5% increase and inquired how nine full weeks of work are spent between the proposed dog park and the Whiskey Creek project. Staff will get an explanation of how the dog park and Whiskey Creek hours were calculated. The council consensus was to try to keep the 2025 tax rate kept flat from the 2024 tax rate. The council consensus was to schedule the next budget review for the September 17th work session. The council would also like to continue the discussion on Visit Brainerd. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Lyscio, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to adjourn at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, 9/3/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator