Kevin Cederstrom
The New York Mills City Council plans to set the final tax levy at a special meeting next week, and depending on final budget decisions the increase over 2007 could be lower than what was figured in the preliminary levy.
There were no visitors to the truth-in-taxation hearing held Tuesday during the City Council meeting, where the 2008 proposed final tax levy was discussed. The preliminary levy was set earlier this year at $339,967, an 11.47 percent increase over 2007. After City Clerk Darla Berry and Mayor Larry Hodgson fine-tuned the budget prior to Tuesday's meeting, they came up with a projected budget surplus for the general fund of $18,499. By reducing the surplus/levy by $8,499 the proposed final levy would drop to $331,468 - an 8.68 percent increase over 2007.
The 8.68 percent increase in the levy over 2007, over half of it is due to a drop of $15,000 in the local government aid (LGA) payment for 2008. This amount accounts for the first 4.92 percent of the increase in levy, with the balance of 3.76 percent due to budget increases.
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The council must wait at least one day after the truth-in-taxation hearing to approve the levy, which will be done at a special meeting scheduled Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m.
Water rates increase
The City Council approved a water rate increase effective Jan. 1.
The water maintenance fee will increase from the current $2/month to $6/month. Revenue generated from the $4 increase is dedicated to the water tower repainting project.
The minimum rate remains the same at $4.58 but usage rates will increase 4 percent. Rates for 1,000 to 10,000 gallons increases from $3.21 per 1,000 gallons to $3.34 per 1,000 gallons. Rates for over 10,000 gallons increase from $2.88 to $2.99.
The fixed rate on mobile homes with no meter is $13.35 plus $6 water maintenance fee. Those homes outside the city limits will be charged 1.5 times the above rates.
