12-05-2017 CCM TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
DECEMBER 5, 2017
1.CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 P.M.
Members Present: Mayor Gary Forcier, Steve Cook, Mary Christensen, Chad
Czmowski and John Lofdahl
Others present: Andy Reid, Finance Director and Matt Jaunich, City Administrator
2.TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
Mayor Forcier opened the hearing at 6:00 p.m.
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich
explained the budget process the City has used to date. Four work sessions have been
held over the past seven months. The Council adopted the preliminary budget and tax
levy in September and last month truth in taxation notices were mailed to all City
property owners. Mr. Jaunich explained the purpose for tonight’s hearing is to
enhance public participation in the property tax system by allowing a public forum to
discuss the budget, discuss the proposed tax levy, explain the increases and hear
public comments and questions on the budget and tax levy. If the hearing needs to be
continued it will be continued at the next Council meeting on December 12, 2017,
and the final budget and tax levy is expected to be adopted by the Council on
December 26, 2017. Mr. Jaunich noted that at tonight’s hearing the Council discusses
the City’s share of citizens’ total 2018 proposed tax bill, not property valuations. Mr.
Jaunich briefly explained market valuations and how they relate to a property’s tax.
Mr. Jaunich also explained that the preliminary budget set in September showed a tax
increase of 3.4% and included a balanced budget. The revised budget has reduced the
tax levy increase to 2.9% while maintaining a balanced budget. The City has adjusted
its revenue projections and eliminated roughly $62,641 in expenses since its
preliminary budget was adopted in September.
Hutchinson’s 2017 average City tax rate ranked the second lowest in McLeod County
and is the fourth highest among other outstate regional centers. Hutchinson is the
rd
lowest of all outstate regional centers for the poverty level, 3 highest of all outstate
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regional centers for median household income, 7 highest of all outstate regional
centers for median home value and is the third lowest of all outstate regional centers
in LGA payments. These statistics are among 19 outstate regional centers. The 2018
state-wide proposed property tax increase of cities is 6.8%. Mr. Jaunich reviewed
Minnesota’s property tax system and how it is based off of five components, those
being: local property tax levies (city, school district, county, etc.), property tax
classification rates (ranges from 0.25% to 2.0% - set by the state), property value
(based off of property sales and is set by the county assessor), tax credits (only certain
properties get this) and state general tax (set by the state and assigned to mainly
commercial/industrial properties). Hutchinson’s property tax rate is set by taking the
city’s tax levy and dividing it by its total tax capacity. Tax capacity is determined by
multiplying a property’s market value by its classification rate. Mr. Jaunich then
explained how the City’s portion of a proposed tax bill is determined. Mr. Jaunich
also explained the homestead exclusion and market value history. Mr. Jaunich also
reviewed the various reasons property taxes can vary from year to year.
Mr. Jaunich then reviewed the City’s mission statement and six core areas of focus,
which include public safety; health & recreation; transportation; economic
development; environment and good government.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the proposed tax levies for 2018 which includes a 2.9%
increase for the City’s portion and a 3.8% increase for the EDA levy and a 3.0%
increase for the HRA levy, for a total tax impact increase of 2.9%. Mr. Jaunich
reviewed the 2018 debt levy and the tax levy comparison since 2011. Mr. Jaunich
provided a tax bill breakdown between the City, McLeod County, ISD #423, EDA,
HRA and Region 6E. The proposed 2018 tax levy includes the third straight year of
an increase in the general fund portion of the levy since 2011. The proposed 2018 tax
levy includes the second year of a 0% increase to the debt fund portion of the levy
since 2013 and it is not expected to increase again until 2023. Compared to 2011, the
City’s total tax levy has increased by 12.7%. The average annual tax levy increase
since 2011 has been 1.7%. The 2018 city tax levy accounts for a per capita tax of
$506, which is up from $491 in 2017.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the general fund revenues and expenses. Mr. Jaunich explained
that the general fund revenues include property taxes, other taxes, licenses & permits,
intergovernmental revenue, charges for service, fines & forfeitures, miscellaneous
revenue, transfers-in and fund balance. There is a total increase in general fund
revenues of 4.9% from 2017. Mr. Jaunich also spoke about local government aid and
the variables used in LGA calculations, such as: pre-1940 housing units, housing
units 1940-1970, total housing units, household sizes, number of employees, peak
population decline, sparsity adjustment and tax effort rate. Mr. Jaunich noted
additional facts on general fund revenues including: general fund revenues include a
4.2% tax levy increase, property taxes account for 38% of the general fund revenues,
general fund revenues include an increase of the transfer from the HUC in the amount
of $210,520, the general fund includes an increase in local government aid in the
amount of $100,252, have included a 15.5% increase in building permit revenue,
expecting most of the other revenue sources to remain relatively flat, and a 1% tax
levy increase to the general fund is equivalent to $47,518. Total general fund
expenses are comprised of wages & benefits, supplies, services & charges,
miscellaneous expenses, transfers-out and capital outlay. Mr. Jaunich explained that
wages & benefits increased 6.4% in 2018 and include performance and other annual
adjustments and additional staff. Public safety accounts for 33.9% of general fund,
25.1% is general government, 23.1% is culture and recreation, 16.0% is streets and
highway and 1.9% is miscellaneous. Mr. Jaunich noted that wages and benefits
account for 67% of general fund expenses and is the largest expense in the general
fund. Inflation and other miscellaneous costs make up the additional increases. The
2018 budgeted expenses are balanced with revenues.
Mr. Jaunich then reviewed the enterprise funds – consisting of the liquor, compost,
refuse, water, sewer and stormwater funds. All of these funds are cash flowing and
are healthy funds. Mr. Jaunich noted that the Liquor Hutch and Creekside continue to
do well and will contribute $610,000 to the general fund in 2018. There will be no
increases in garbage, water and sewer rates. All enterprise funds continue to have
healthy fund balances. There will be a slight rate increase to stormwater rates of 3%.
Transfers to the general fund from the enterprise funds will be at $785,000 in 2018.
Total enterprise money is $2,362,895 when HUC money is included.
Mr. Jaunich reviewed the 2018 capital improvement plan and debt management plan.
The capital improvement plan is made up of infrastructure, park & recreation,
enterprise funds, public works, public safety, and general government. Funds for the
CIP come from new debt, aid/grants, enterprise funds, taxes, special assessments and
special funds/reserves. Major capital items included in the capital plan are: South
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Central Trunk Storm Sewer project, Northwoods/Spruce/11 Avenue, Century
nd
Avenue, 2 Avenue Bridge, new airport hangar, various equipment/fleet vehicle
replacements and facility upgrades. The debt management plan has a target debt levy
at $2.6 million. The 2018 debt management plan includes the changes from May of
2016 which increased the City’s targeted limit from $2.2 million to $2.6 million; the
City’s new project limit is $1.9 million up from $1.5 million, after a 5% levy increase
in 2015 and a 1% increase in 2016, the City is budgeting for a 0% increase for the
second straight year, the city is not expecting a debt levy increase again until 2023.
Mr. Jaunich noted that the two main factors behind the levy increase are that the
general wage and benefit increases are expected to cost $313,373 (health insurance
costs expected to increase by over $113,000) and new positions and
changes/increased staff hours are expected to cost $207,707. A reminder that a 1%
levy increase is equal to $69,518. There are no significant staffing cuts and/or
changes in service. The City is adding staff to meet new demands of the public and to
deal with impacts from the State. Staffing costs and capital needs are the biggest
driver of the City’s budget. Fund balances continue to remain high and the fiscal
condition of the city is healthy. The State’s budget forecasts have gotten weaker with
a $188 million projected deficit, yet there shouldn’t be any fiscal restraints at the
State that would impact the City. Home values continue to increase and the local
economy has improved and remains stable from the recession years.
General discussion was held on the proposed staff additions and the necessity of them
in the major departments.
No public comments were received.
Motion by Cook, second by Lofdahl, to close public hearing at 6:55 p.m. Motion
carried unanimously.
3.ADJOURN
Following the public hearing, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST:
________________________________ __________________________________
Gary T. Forcier Matthew Jaunich
Mayor City Administrator