HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.14.98 Special Council Minutes
Special City Council Meeting
Thursday, May 14, 1998 Meeting Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
Present: Mayor Ristow, Councilmembers Cordes, Fitch, Strachan, Representative Ozment,
Legislative Assistant Pinke, Administrator Erar, Community Development Director Olson and
Finance Director Roland.
Absent: Council Member Gamer.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 4:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The
purpose of the meeting was to discuss City tax issues and to gain an understanding of
Representative Ozment's legislative tax priorities. Representative Ozment informed the Council
that he had been appointed to the House Tax Committee, and was interested in understanding the
views of the City Council relative to municipal tax issues. A meeting agenda was prepared and
included municipal sales tax, property taxes, tax capacity issues, levy limits, tax increment
financing and implications of class rate changes enacted by the legislature in 1997 and 1998 for
discussion.
Finance Director Roland made a brief presentation on City tax rate calculations and discussed the
reduction in the City tax rate for 1998. A general conversation and exchange of information was
held on related issues such as levy limits and the need to understand the effects of state tax policy
on municipal financial affairs. In addition, information was presented to Representative Ozment
on the effects of rapid growth occurring in Farmington and the need for the Council, as the
locally elected officials, to have the ability to make decisions affecting how services are provided
and paid for at the local level.
Discussions followed on the unsuccessful efforts to repeal the municipal sales tax in the 1998
Legislature, with Representative Ozment expressing his general support of repeal efforts in 1999.
He indicated that he did not support one level of government taxing another, and that he had
sponsored sales tax repeal legislation for cities in 1998.
Community Development Director led the discussion on tax increment financing and upcoming
recodification of TIF statutes in 1999. Representative Ozment indicated that he was no longer
focusing his attention on TIF reform, and assured the Council that recodification would not lead
to whole scale legislative TIF revisions.
Other discussions also focused on the State Auditor's authority on TIF reporting requirements,
and a general roundtable on related tax issues.
The Mayor and Council expressed their views on a variety of issues such as the State surplus and
the need to return the surplus to the taxpayers and the need to communicate and cooperate on
issues affecting City finances and taxes. Representative Ozment also spoke of the need to
communicate with the City on tax issues, his views on state spending accountability, and his
commitment to good government at all levels.
The Mayor and Council expressed their appreciation and thanks to Representative Ozment for
taking the time to meet with Council and staff. Representative Ozment responded in kind.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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