2023 General Fund Budget and Tax Levy; Bishop
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Nick Bishop, Finance Director
Date: July 12, 2022
Subject: 2023 General Fund Budget and Tax Levy
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
To provide input and guidance for the 2023 General Fund budget 2023 Tax Levy and
General Fund surplus.
INFORMATION
2023 General Fund Budget
Staff has been working to put together a 2023 General Fund Budget that meets the needs
of the community and maintain service levels. The 2023 General Fund Budget being
presented includes two additional full time employees:
• Building Inspector – $116,000
o Funded through increased revenues
o Budget request from Chief Building Official is attached
• Fire Command Officer - $110,000
o Funded through general fund tax levy
o Budget request from Fire Chief is attached
The General Fund budget is balanced. Revenues and expenditures are both set at
$17,240,140, a $1,066,520,116 or 6.59% increase from 2022. The general fund tax levy
needed to support this budget is $13,980,371, a $760,632 or 5.75% increase from 2022.
Finance Department
2023 Tax Levy
The 2023 Tax Levy has been prepared based on debt service needs, prior year ERP/CIP
documents, preliminary equipment requests and initial budgets for special revenue funds
and market conditions. The levy being presented relies on the use of a general fund
surplus to pay for capital projects at the Activity Center, Hopkins History Center (907
Mainstreet), Pavilion and street lighting upgrades. The total tax levy is $18,860,814, this
is a $720,714 or 3.97% increase from 2022. Based on preliminary tax capacity
information, city taxes on a median value home ($361,000) would be $2,219, which is a
$217 increase from 2022.
General Fund Surplus
The City is projected to have a surplus in the general fund of $1,196,479 at the end of
2022. The City has three main options for what to do with the surplus:
1. Maintain for cashflow, contingencies or emergencies
2. Use for an already existing request
3. Use for a new project or initiative
City Council discussed possible options for the surplus at the June 14th work session.
Based on input from the work session, use of the surplus for existing projects has been
incorporated into the draft tax levy. The attached summary gives an overview of available
options.
FUTURE ACTION
A budget engagement session will be held on August 15 from 6-7 PM at City Hall. Details
will be posted on the City’s website: https://www.hopkinsmn.com/466/City-Budget-
Process.
A preliminary levy must be adopted by September 30th of each year. The preliminary levy
is planned to be approved at the September 6th City Council Meeting. The preliminary
levy will be the maximum allowable amount for 2023 and can only be reduced.
A final levy must be adopted by December 31st of each year at or below the preliminary
levy amount. A Truth and Taxation hearing is planned for Wednesday, November 30th.
The final levy is planned to be approved at the December 6th City Council Meeting.
City of Hopkins
General Fund Revenue Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2023
DRAFT
July 12, 2022
Department 2022 Budget 2023 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
Property Taxes 13,304,739 14,065,371 5.72%
Intergovernmental Revenue
Local Government Aid 880,066 932,904
Intergovernmental Revenue - Other 622,000 705,000
Total Intergovernmental Revenue 1,502,066 1,637,904 9.04%
Licenses, Permits & Fines
Court Fines & Penalties 176,000 176,000
Building Permits & Inspections 475,500 557,000
Inspection Fines & Citations 2,500 3,000
City Clerk - Business Licenses 7,000 8,000
PD - Liquor, Animal Licenses & Penalties 98,300 101,800
Fire - Licenses & Permits 2,300 4,000
Public Works - Licenses & Permits 19,415 19,415
Planning & Zoning - Licenses & Permits 1,000 1,000
Total Licenses, Permits & Fines 782,015 870,215 11.28%
Charges for Service
Finance Department 5,500 5,500
Assessing 3,000 3,000
Inspections 109,400 175,450
Police 35,000 35,000
Fire 10,500 10,500
Public Works 3,150 3,150
Activity Center 90,000 94,300
Total Charges for Service 256,550 326,900 27.42%
Miscellaneous Revenue
Franchise Fees 296,200 296,200
Miscellaneous 15,250 20,250
Finance Department 3,000 3,000
Police 500 500
Fire 3,500 3,500
Public Works 5,300 5,300
Activity Center 4,500 11,000
Total Miscellaneous 328,250 339,750 3.50%
Total Revenues 16,173,620 17,240,140 6.59%
City of Hopkins
General Fund Expenditure Budget
For the Year Ending December 31, 2023
DRAFT
July 12, 2022
Department 2022 Budget 2023 Budget
% Increase
(Decrease)
City Council 104,699 105,851 1.10%
Administrative Services 912,950 1,016,731 11.37%
Finance 462,665 488,794 5.65%
Legal 225,000 225,000 0.00%
Municipal Building 380,901 380,832 -0.02%
Assessing 244,158 256,089 4.89%
City Clerk 219,803 245,466 11.68%
Inspections 904,960 1,062,119 17.37%
Police 6,417,543 6,958,766 8.43%
Fire 1,616,824 1,688,390 4.43%
Public Works 3,509,559 3,632,027 3.49%
Recreation 295,475 306,993 3.90%
Activity Center 466,388 486,192 4.25%
Planning & Zoning 204,784 170,842 -16.57%
Community Development 118,711 126,848 6.85%
Tuition Reimbursement 19,200 19,200 0.00%
Contingency 50,000 50,000 0.00%
Transfer to Other Funds 20,000 20,000 0.00%
Total Expenditures 16,173,620 17,240,140 6.59%
City of Hopkins
Tax Levy
For the Year Ending December 31, 2023
DRAFT
July 12, 2022
Actual Draft % Increase
Purpose FY2022 FY2023 (Decrease)
General Operations
General Fund 13,219,739 13,980,371 5.75%
Capital Levy 50,000 - -100.00%
Arts Center 339,317 347,697 2.47%
Pavilion Fund 418,000 340,000 -18.66%
Equipment Replacement - 250,000 100.00%
Permanent Improvement 110,000 - 100.00%
Total General Operations 14,137,056 14,918,068 5.52%
Debt Levy 4,003,044 3,942,746 -1.51%
Total Levy 18,140,100 18,860,814 3.97%
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Kearney, Chief Building Official
Date: July 12, 2022
Subject: Budget request for new inspector
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
Staff is requesting the addition of one (1.0) FTE for a building inspections position,
estimated costs are $116,000 with salary and benefits for the new position.
INFORMATION
The building inspector position would be a reoccurring cost and is planned to be paid for
by building inspection permit revenue. There are no plans for a general fund allocation at
this time.
The position is necessary to help with the expected increase in development activities to
maintain current service level expectations. Staff prides itself on providing fast and
accurate plan review and inspections.
Below is a list of the expected development activities over the next few years as well as
a listing of approximate times for inspections required. Please note: This does not include
normal residential and minor commercial permit activity, service levels in these areas
would also be impacted if the position were not approved.
Project Start Number of Units Number of
Inspections
Blake School ELC 2nd Qtr. 2022 N/A 80
Trilogy BLD A 1st Qtr. 2022 219 3700
Alatus BLD A 3rd Qtr. 2022 174 2900
Trilogy BLD B 4th Qtr. 2022 250 4250
Beacon Vista 44 4th Qtr. 2022 50 850
Other Projects
Alatus BLD C 2023 390 6600
Alatus BLD D 2023 187 3200
Mann Theater Site 150 2550
Community Services-
Inspections
Knollwood North 140 2380
Inspections Each Unit &
Common Area
1. Floor/Ceiling Trusses 7. Electrical Rough-In 13. Final Plumbing
2. Sheer Walls 8. Framing 14. Final Electrical
3. Plumbing Rough-In 9. Insulation 15. Final Sprinklers
4. Mechanical Rough-In 10. Firestopping 16. Final Gas Piping
5. Gas Piping Rough-In 11. Sound Insulation &
R.C. Chanel
17. Final Mechanical
6. Fire Sprinkler Rough-In 12. Fire Resistive
Assemblies
18. Final Building
Other Inspections
Footings Foundation Utilities Sheathing
Time it takes for each inspection varies from 10 minutes to 45 minutes.
FUTURE ACTION
The preliminary levy is planned to be approved at the September 6th City Council Meeting.
The final is planned to be approved at the December 6th City Council Meeting.
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Dale Specken, Fire Chief
Date: July 12, 2022
Subject: Budget Request for Command Position and Evaluation of Full-Time Model
_____________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE
Staff is requesting authorization to issue a RFP for a staffing study to evaluate
transitioning from a paid on call to full-time staffing model.
Staff is requesting the addition of one (1.0) FTE for a fire command officer position to
assist with the transition, overseeing full-time firefighters and to assist with special
projects, estimated costs are $110,000 with salary and benefits for the new position to
be funded with general fund tax levy in 2023.
INFORMATION
Due to the increase in population and the challenges of finding Paid on Call
Firefighters, Staff recommends to explore transitioning to a Full-time Department with a
small contingent of paid on call Firefighters.
With the increase in population, the department expects an increase in our call load
over the next several years. The goal would be to be ahead of the population increase
and have staffing in place. These positions would be Firefighter / Inspector Positions.
The Fire Department would take all medicals to free up capacity for the Police
Department.
Staff applied for a Federal Grant for 12 firefighter positions for three years at which time
the city will pick up the full-time positions.
Staff recommends doing a staffing study estimated cost is between $50,000 and
$100,000. Staff also recommends hiring a command position in 2023 to help with the
study.
FUTURE ACTION
The preliminary levy is planned to be approved at the September 6th City Council
Meeting. The final is planned to be approved at the December 6th City Council Meeting.
Fire Department
City of Hopkins
Overview of Options for General Fund Surplus
July 12, 2022
Use For An Already Existing Request
Potential to Reduce 2023 Levy
Cost/
Savings
Activity Center Roofing Projects 160,000 Funded through surplus in 7/12/2022 Draft Budget
Hopkins Historical Building (windows and doors)55,000 Funded through surplus in 7/12/2022 Draft Budget
Fire Station - Replace Air Handler 82,000 Funded through surplus in 7/12/2022 Draft Budget
Pavilion - Indoor Turf 95,000 Funded through surplus in 7/12/2022 Draft Budget
Street Lighting Upgrades - Central Business District 100,000 Funded through surplus in 7/12/2022 Draft Budget
Street Lighting Upgrades - Residential 190,000 Funded through surplus in 7/12/2022 Draft Budget
682,000
Potential to Reduce Future Levies Cost
Annual
Savings
# of
Years Notes
Log Truck 165,000 21,500 10 Principal and Interest on Equipment Certificates
Traffic Boom Truck 135,000 18,000 10 Principal and Interest on Equipment Certificates
Art Center Deficit 438,987 60,000 7 Tax Levy to Eliminate Deficit
738,987
Use for a new project or initiative
New Initiative or Projects Cost
Fire Department Staffing Study 50,000 -100,000 Estimated Cost Range, RFP would be issued
2023 ERP or CIP Requests
Police Records Management System 200,000 Advanced from 2024 to 2023, current system purchased in 2012
Portable Radios (Police, Fire & Public Works)290,000 Potential for replacement due to Hennepin County requirements
Notes
Notes
July 12, 2022
City of Hopkins
2023 Budget Preparation Schedule for City Council
The following table outlines the tentative schedule for discussions on important aspects of the City’s Budget and American
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending Plan.
Meeting Date Meeting Type Subject Details
April-July N/A Internal Preparations -2021 Audit Ongoing
-Departments Prepare Budgets, Equipment
Replacement and Capital Improvement Schedules
July 12 Work Session Review 2023 Tax Levy and
General Fund Budget
-First Draft
August 10 Work Session Review Capital Improvement
Plan (CIP) and Equipment
Replacement Plan (ERP)
-Equipment Replacement Fund
-Park Improvement
-Capital Improvement
August 15 Community
Event
Review 2023 Tax Levy and
General Fund Budget
-Presentation
-Question and Answer Session
September 6 Regular Meeting -Approve Preliminary Tax Levy
and General Fund Budget
-Approve CIP and ERP
-Preliminary Levy must
be approved by
September 30
-Permanent
Improvement Revolving
Fund (Street Projects)
October 11 Work Session Review, Special Revenue
Fund Budgets, Enterprise
Fund Budgets, Activity Center
Budget and Utility Rates
-Water -Sewer
-Storm Sewer -Refuse
-Pavilion -Communications
-Chemical Assessment -Parking
-Economic Development -Depot
-Activity Center -Arts Center
July 12, 2022
City of Hopkins
2023 Budget Preparation Schedule for City Council
Meeting Date Meeting Type Subject Details
November 1 Regular Meeting Approve Utility Rates
November 30 Regular Meeting
(Wednesday)
Truth in Taxation Hearing -Overview of 2023 Budget and Tax Levy
-Public Comment
December 6 Regular Meeting Approve Final Budget & Tax
Levy
-Final Levy must be approved by December 28