Voting machine open house, Truth in Taxation hearing Wednesday
Published 6:38 am Tuesday, December 3, 2019
A public open house on the DS-200 tabulating machines, which will be used in all future city elections, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the City Council Chambers.
City Clerk Ann Kasel said the council authorized the purchase of seven Elections Systems and Software DS-200 last year. The equipment is ready to use in the 2020 elections; however, the city must disseminate information to the public about the machines under Minnesota Statute.
Three elections, two primaries and one general, will be held in 2020.
The city will also hold its annual Truth in Taxation hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the City Council Chambers.
During the hearing, Administrative Services Director Tom Dankert will discuss the 2020 budget and tax levy in detail.
The 2020 tax levy was set at $7,150,000, an increase of $277,000, or 4.03 percent, from 2019, in September. This amounts to a total city property tax increase of about $16 for the year on a residence valued at $100,000. Under MInnesota law, the council may lower the levy, but not raise it, after September 30.
The increase for 2020 comes from the city planning for the further implementation of the Compensation and Classification study, modifications in some departmental budgets and settling bargaining unit contracts that had not been settled by Dec. 31, 2019.
The council also passed a preliminary 2020 budget of $35,913,342 in September. The preliminary budget consists of the following expenses:
- General Fund – $18,711,807
- Recreation Programs Fund – $98,996
- Library Fund – $1,207,731
- Fire PERA – $60,000
- Tax Increment Debt Service Fund – $308,643
- Capital Improvements Revolving Fund – $2,656,000
- Sewer User Fund – $5,633,162
- Waste Transfer Station Fund – $51,400
- Port Authority Fund – $885,765
- Storm Sewer Maintenance – $1,114,337
- Central Garage Fund – $2,233,140
- MIS Replacement Fund – $247,086
- Fire Fleet Replacement Fund – $193,000
- Risk Management Fund – $2,512,275
The public is invited to attend both events and will have the opportunity to ask questions.
