FMP Update with Emphasis on Franchise Fees Renewals and Financing the City Hall Project; Bishop
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Nick Bishop, Finance Director
Date: May 8th, 2018
Subject: FMP Update with Emphasis on Franchise Fee Renewals and Financing
the City Hall Project
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
To seek guidance on a franchise fee increase or renewal and financing a city hall
project.
INFORMATION
What are franchise fees? Are they a tax?
Minnesota Cities have statutory authority to impose a franchise fee on utility companies
for the use of public right-of-ways. The utility companies collect the fees from their
customers and remit back to the City. Hopkins collected $610,534 for gas and electric
franchise fees in 2017. This amount has increased by approximately 1% annually since
2014, due to redevelopment within Hopkins. The City also has separate franchise
agreements with Comcast and CenturyLink that will not be addressed tonight.
Franchise fees are not technically considered a tax, but do have similar properties.
Unlike property taxes, all users, including schools, governments, churches and other
non-profits will pay the fee. Franchise fees are not tied to the value of a property,
meaning all single-family homes would pay the same amount.
What can franchise fees be used for?
Franchise fees can be used for any public purpose. Currently, franchise fees in
Hopkins are being used to reduce the tax levy in the General Fund and for park
improvements. In 2017, $309,729 went to reduce the tax levy and $300,805 was
deposited into the Park Dedication Fund. The attached chart shows 8 comparable
cities with franchise fees and their purpose.
Finance Department
What are the current franchise fees in Hopkins? What is being proposed?
The City of Hopkins adopted two franchise fee ordinances beginning on 1/1/2014 with
five year terms. They both expire at the end of 2018. Residential customers pay $2.20
monthly for electric service to Xcel Energy and $2.20 monthly for natural gas to
Centerpoint Energy. Commercial and industrial customers pay higher rates based on
type and size of meter. A chart showing the detailed analysis of rates paid by type and
number of customers is attached.
The proposed rates beginning in 2019 increase by $0.50 monthly for gas and electric
for residential customers, or $1.00 combined per month. The total paid by a residential
household would be $5.40 per month and $64.80 per year. Proposed rate increases for
commercial and industrial increase by larger percentage and dollar amounts. In 2014
all meter types increased by $0.50, which was a much smaller percentage for the larger
account types. The increase being proposed would restore the allocations in place
from the beginning of 2004 until the end of 2013.
The proposal continues to reduce the tax levy in the general fund and provide for park
improvements. The additional revenue to be generated is estimated at $218,000
annually and is proposed for the capital improvement fund. The capital improvement
fund accounts for projects for any of Hopkins’ buildings without a separate fund. This
includes City Hall, Fire Station, Police Station, Public Works Building and Activity
Center. It excludes the Pavilion, Arts Center and Depot Coffee House. This plan was
designed as a potential way to fund the City Hall Project. The current 2018-2022
Capital Improvement Plan includes over $1.1 million in projects at these locations and is
currently planned to be funded with tax levy.
The City could also decide to renew the existing franchises as is or phase in a larger
increase over the next several years.
What does this mean for the City Hall Upgrade Project?
The base City Hall Project and window upgrades are projected to cost $3.50 million in
2019. The total cost including all additional projects is projected to cost $4.27 million.
The current Capital Improvement Plan includes a much smaller City Hall Project, roof
replacement and funding from cable franchise fees. This is already accounted for in
the Financial Management Plan. The unplanned costs are $3,067,000 for the base
project and windows or $3,722,000 for the base project and all additional projects.
City Hall and other municipal buildings would all be an appropriate use of franchise fees
or property tax levy. The allocation of costs between different types of property owners
would be different based on funding source. The following charts estimate the annual
costs for an owner of a median value home:
No
Increase
$1/Month
Increase
No
Increase
$1/Month
Increase
Franchise - 12.00 Franchise - 12.00
Taxes 30.56 5.13 Taxes 36.91 11.55
Total 30.56 17.13 Total 36.91 23.55
Base Project & Windows Base Project & All Additional
FUTURE ACTION
Gas and electric franchise fees are each established by a separate ordinance. Xcel
and Centerpoint each need to be provided with a written notice of proposed ordinances
before July 15, 2018. The first reading and second reading/adoption could occur on
September 18, 2018 and October 2, 2018.
Approval of the schematic design for City Hall is planned for May 15, 2018. The next
steps to continue with that project would include, selecting a project timeline, hiring a
construction manager and design development.
City of Hopkins
Monthly Franchise Fee Comparison
May 8, 2018
\\lisa\share\FINANCE\FMP\2018 FMP\Franchise Fees\Franchise Fee Increase - 2019 Proposal.xlsx
City Electric Gas Total Purpose
Brooklyn Center 1.60 1.61 3.21 Street Improvements
Shakopee1 2.64 1.70 4.34 Pavement management, road maintenance or capital improvements
Hopkins2 2.70 2.70 5.40 General fund, parks, municipal buildings
Edina3 2.90 2.90 5.80 Pedestrian and cyclist safety, conservation and sustainability
Champlin 3.50 3.50 7.00 City infrastructure
Golden Valley 4.00 4.00 8.00 Water, sewer, storms water and street infrastructure
Saint Louis Park 4.00 4.00 8.00 Pavement Management
Richfield 4.10 4.10 8.20 Street maintenance - mill & overlay, curb & gutter, sealcoating
Minnetonka2 4.50 4.50 9.00 Undergrounding electrical wires, street light improvements and trails
1. Estimated amount collected based on 3% rate for gas and electric
2. Includes Proposed Increase
3. Beginning April 2019
Comparable Cities without Franchise Fees: Chanhassen, Columbia Heights, Crystal, Fridley & Roseville
2019 Actual and Proposed
City of Hopkins
2019 Franchise Fee Renewal Proposal
May 8, 2018
\\lisa\share\FINANCE\FMP\2018 FMP\Franchise Fees\Franchise Fee Increase - 2019 Proposal.xlsx
2019 2019 No of Increase
2004 2012 2014 Proposed Proposed Customers Amount to Amount to Capital Total %Annual Annual
Xcel Energy Rate Rate Rate Increase Rate Dec 2017 Gen. Fund Parks Fund Imprvmt.Collections Incr Increase Amount
Residential 1.00 1.70 2.20 0.50 2.70 8,467 101,599 121,919 50,800 274,318.60 22.73%6.00 32.40
Small C & I Non Demand 2.00 3.35 3.85 1.50 5.35 694 16,651 15,402 12,488 44,540.46 38.96%18.00 64.20
Small C & I Demand 9.00 15.00 15.50 8.50 24.00 340 36,689 26,498 34,651 97,838.40 54.84%102.00 288.00
Large C & I 63.00 105.00 105.50 65.00 170.50 70 52,920 35,700 54,600 143,220.00 61.61%780.00 2,046.00
9,570 207,860 199,519 152,539 559,917
2019 2019 No of Increase
2004 2012 2014 Proposed Proposed Customers Amount to Amount to Capital Total %Annual Annual
Centerpoint Energy Rate Rate Rate Increase Rate Dec 2017 Gen. Fund Parks Fund Imprvmt.Collections Incr Increase Amount
Residential/Commercial A 1.00 1.70 2.20 0.50 2.70 5,076 60,912 73,094 30,456 164,462.40 22.73%6.00 32.40
Commercial B 3.00 5.00 5.50 2.50 8.00 199 7,164 5,970 5,970 19,104.00 45.45%30.00 96.00
Commercial/Industrial C 9.00 15.00 15.50 8.50 24.00 201 21,708 15,678 20,502 57,888.00 54.84%102.00 288.00
Small Dual Fuel A 18.00 30.00 30.50 18.00 48.50 15 3,240 2,250 3,240 8,730.00 59.02%216.00 582.00
Small Dual Fuel B 63.00 105.00 105.50 65.00 170.50 7 5,292 3,570 5,460 14,322.00 61.61%780.00 2,046.00
Large Volume Dual Fuel 63.00 105.00 105.50 65.00 170.50 0 0 0 0 - 61.61%780.00 2,046.00
5,498 98,316 100,562 65,628 264,506
Total Total
Residential 1.00 5.40 Total 306,176 300,082 218,167 824,424 Residential 12.00 64.80
Notes:
2004 - Franchise fees were implemented to help offset the loss of $1.8 million in local government aid.
2012 - Franchise fees were increased to fund street improvements.
2014 - Franchise fees were increased to fund park improvements.
2015 - FMP Adopted, 2012 & 2014 increase both used to fund park improvements.
2019 - Proposed rate increase for capital improvements, restores proportionate rates from 2004-2013
City of Hopkins
Financial Management Plan Update
Executive Summary
May 8, 2018
$1/Month Franchise Increase
\\lisa\share\FINANCE\FMP\2018 FMP\Hopkins FMP 2018 V8c.xls
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Tax Levy Budget
General Fund 10,747,657 11,483,090 12,016,381 12,393,986 12,970,081 13,910,743
Capital Improvements 75,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000
Arts Center 250,000 257,500 400,000 700,000 700,000 700,000
Pavilion - 40,383 40,383 340,383 340,383 490,383
Debt Service 3,149,223 3,658,429 4,076,846 4,315,548 4,310,770 3,675,485
Equipment Fund - 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000
Total City Levy 14,221,880 15,789,402 16,883,610 18,099,917 18,671,235 19,126,611
% Increase 9.86%11.02%6.93%7.20%3.16%2.44%
Additional Projects to Consider 15 Year Bond, 3.25%
City Hall Remodel - Base - - 44,000 44,000 44,000 44,000 Cost, $3,067,000
City Hall Remodel - Add'tl Projects 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000 Cost, $655,000
Central Park - - - - - - Unfunded
Levy Required - - 99,000.00 99,000.00 99,000.00 99,000.00
Total City Levy w/ Additions 14,221,880 15,789,402 16,982,610 18,198,917 18,770,235 19,225,611
% Increase 9.86%11.02%7.56%7.16%3.14%2.43%
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Budget
General Fund 1,093 1,178 1,228 1,272 1,328 1,428
Capital Improvements 8 10 10 10 10 10
Arts Center 25 26 41 72 72 72
Pavilion - 4 4 35 35 50
Debt Service 320 375 417 443 441 377
Equipment Fund - 26 26 26 26 26
Total City Levy per Home 1,446 1,620 1,726 1,858 1,911 1,963
$ Increase 150 174 106 132 53 52
Additional Projects to Consider
City Hall Remodel - Base - - 5 5 5 5
City Hall Remodel - Add'tl Projects - - 6 6 6 6
Central Park - - - - - -
Additional Levy per Home - - 12 12 12 12
Total Tax Levy per Home 1,446 1,620 1,738 1,870 1,923 1,975
$ Increase 150 174 118 132 53 52
Projected
ProjectedTaxes for Median Value Home
5 year average = $103
5 year average = $106
City of Hopkins
Financial Management Plan Update
Executive Summary
May 8, 2018
Renew Franchise with No Increase
\\lisa\share\FINANCE\FMP\2018 FMP\Hopkins FMP 2018 V8b.xls
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Tax Levy Budget
General Fund 10,747,657 11,483,090 12,016,381 12,393,986 12,970,081 13,910,743
Capital Improvements 75,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000
Arts Center 250,000 257,500 400,000 700,000 700,000 700,000
Pavilion - 40,383 40,383 340,383 340,383 490,383
Debt Service 3,149,223 3,658,429 4,076,846 4,315,548 4,310,770 3,675,485
Equipment Fund - 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000
Total City Levy 14,221,880 15,789,402 16,883,610 18,099,917 18,671,235 19,126,611
% Increase 9.86%11.02%6.93%7.20%3.16%2.44%
Additional Projects to Consider 15 Year Bond, 3.25%
City Hall Remodel - Base - - 262,000 262,000 262,000 262,000 Cost, $3,067,000
City Hall Remodel - Add'tl Projects 55,000 55,000 55,000 55,000 Cost, $655,000
Central Park - - - - - - Unfunded
Levy Required - - 317,000.00 317,000.00 317,000.00 317,000.00
Total City Levy w/ Additions 14,221,880 15,789,402 17,200,610 18,416,917 18,988,235 19,443,611
% Increase 9.86%11.02%8.94%7.07%3.10%2.40%
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Budget
General Fund 1,093 1,178 1,228 1,272 1,328 1,428
Capital Improvements 8 10 10 10 10 10
Arts Center 25 26 41 72 72 72
Pavilion - 4 4 35 35 50
Debt Service 320 375 417 443 441 377
Equipment Fund - 26 26 26 26 26
Total City Levy per Home 1,446 1,620 1,726 1,858 1,911 1,963
$ Increase 150 174 106 132 53 52
Additional Projects to Consider
City Hall Remodel - Base - - 31 31 31 31
City Hall Remodel - Add'tl Projects - - 6 6 6 6
Central Park - - - - - -
Additional Levy per Home - - 37 37 37 37
Total Tax Levy per Home 1,446 1,620 1,763 1,895 1,948 2,000
$ Increase 150 174 143 132 53 52
Projected
ProjectedTaxes for Median Value Home
5 year average = $103
5 year average = $111
\\lisa\share\FINANCE\FMP\2018 FMP\Incremental Cost of City Hall Remodel.xlsx
Base Add'tl
New Entry & Lobby Renovation; Upper Level Renovation &
Council Chambers; Lower Level Renovation; Window
Replacement (including enlarging)3,500,000 3,500,000
Add-On Projects
Entry Landscaping and ADA Ramping; Add Skylight; Roof
Replacement; Electrical Service Replacement; Indoor/Outdoor
Feature - 770,000
Total Add-On Projects - 770,000
Total Project Cost 3,500,000 4,270,000
Projects Included in 2018 - 2022 CIP
Capital Project Fund 283,000 398,000 *
Cable Franchise Fees 50,000 50,000
Total Projects Included in 2018 - 2022 CIP 333,000 448,000
Additional Contribution from Cable Franchise Fees 100,000 100,000
Remaining Additional Cost of Project 3,067,000 3,722,000
*Includes funds for basic roof replacement as previously scheduled
City Hall Remodel
Summary of Estimated Costs
May 8, 2018
2019 Cost Estimates