Eagan Council Ponders Online-only Budget Meet-up

Tired of seeing staff members stood up, the Eagan City Council may opt for a distinctly 21st century solution during this year's budget process: The informational budget meetings may go digital.

Council Member Cyndee Fields was the first to suggest such a solution at this week's (face to face) budget work session on Tuesday. In the past, the city has hosted open house meetings to famliarize the public with the proposed budget, a process that requires hours of staff time and patience. Recent meetings have been sparsely attended, city council members said, with some attracting only one or two guests.  

"When there are only one or two people there I feel kind sorry for them," Council Member Gary Hansen said of the city employees.

Instead, the city could host a "virtual open house," Fields said, which theoretically would cut down on the time and expense associated with the traditional open house, and perhaps garner more public participation, to boot. At this point, it is unclear exactly what form the online option will take, though Fields suggested that the city could create a specific e-mail address where budget questions can be directed. 

Her proposal was largely lauded by the mayor and the rest of the council.

"I also endorse the idea. I don't think the exigence is there to put the staff time in," said Mayor Mike Maguire.

"I don't think anyone wants to back off from being transparent, but the open houses are not cost effective,"Council Member Paul Bakken agreed. "We can try it for a year and see how it works."

The proposed 2014 budget calls for a 2.7 percent is the increase in the overall city property tax levy, just under the 3 percent cap established by the state legislature. If approved, the total levy will amount to $29,086,355, about $764,000 than the levy for the current fiscal year. City officials said that would amount to about $836 in city property taxes for a house worth $225,289, the average home value in Eagan. 

The council will vote on it for the preliminary budget on Sept. 3. The levy must be certified by Sept. 16. Once certified, the city can cut the proposed levy, but cannot increase it. The budget and levy will be under review until the final vote in December.