The Mower County board hopes to set a property tax levy within a week — and schedule a public hearing for citizens later in the year.

By Sept. 15, the county has to have a maximum levy set — per state law, the number can only be lowered after that.

On Tuesday, the board looked at a number of possible tax levels and what effects they’d have.

One hypothetical had the increase at 3.457 percent if every department gets all requested funding.

That increase would net roughly $514,000 in new funds for the county.

However, the board has stated a goal of a 1 to 2 percent increase, meaning departments likely won’t get all they’re asking for.

Two notable cuts are already on the table for 2010 — $15,000 for the Michael H. Seibel Visitation Center, and $14,000 for county parenting classes and the Crisis Nursery — though commissioners could decide to still fund these areas.

Both were spared from cuts in early August as the board reacted to $530,000 in June unallotments from Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

For 2010, county coordinator Craig Oscarson said the county is looking at between $750,000 and $800,000 less from the state.

In addition to setting a tax levy, the board also hopes to have a date set for a truth-in-taxation hearing by their Sept. 8 meeting.

These hearings are required by state law for all governmental units of 500 people or more.

The meeting would have to occur sometime between Nov. 25 and Dec. 26, be held after 6 p.m., and be advertised and open to the public.

Typically, these meetings occur the first week of December in Mower County.

After input is gathered, the final levy must be certified by Dec. 28.