Wyoming officials approved a resolution Sept. 8 adopting the city’s preliminary 2015 levy in the amount of $4.27 million.
Every year by mid-September, a not-to-exceed amount must be certified with Chisago County.
This does not mean there will be no changes to the proposed levy. Adjustments in the proposed budget can result in adjustments to the levy. However, the final levy can only be the same as or less than the preliminary. The final levy amount must be certified before year’s end.
For 2012, 2014 and 2015, the proposed levy was reduced before final certification. In 2013, the proposed levy was adopted with no reductions.
The preliminary figures shows the general fund levy increasing from about $3.7 million in 2015 to $3.73 million in 2016. This is an increase of $29,626, a 0.8 percent increase.
The bulk of the increase in the proposed levy is from debt service levy. This is the portion of the levy that provides money to cover the city’s bond payments. Debt service, which was $180,000 in 2015, is increasing $321,485 in the preliminary levy to a total of $492,860.
The combined general fund and debt service levies proposed increase is from $3.88 million to $4.22 million, an overall increase of $243,485 (8.82 percent). The large percentage increase is primarily a result of the increase in the debt levy.
The city’s economic development authority levy is fixed at $42,000 and is outside the general levy. For 2016, the proposed total levy combines all three levies, totaling about $4.27 million.
The cost of maintaining the city’s streets has been separated from the street Reconstruction budget. Street maintenance, seal coating, and street lights are paid out of the general fund.
Councilwoman Lisa Iverson was concerned about the 8.8 percent overall increase in the combined general levy and debt levy, saying it was “scary” to consider. Both she and Councilwoman Linda Yeager said a lot of negotiations are in order before the final levy is set and voted against the preliminary levy in the 3-2 approval.
Other business
The Fire Department applied for and received a $3,000 matching grant through the state of Minnesota and the DNR. Public Safety Director Paul Hoppe explained that the plan is to use the funds to replace hoses and nozzles ($800), radios for the department ($1,150), and new turn-out gear ($4,400). The total of $6,350 is in the 2015 budget. The city will be reimbursed after purchases are made.
The city must officially accept the grant, a 2016 volunteer Fire Assistance Grant. Approval was unanimous.
Patching and overlay work will be completed on a section of 245th Street. Public Works Supervisor Jason Windingstad had $16,500 remaining in budgeted but unspent funds. Windingstad recommended Prefer Paving, whose bid of $11,952 was the lower of the two received. Council members approved the request.
There were no further public comments about the proposed Polaris expansion. Engineer Mark Erichson’s written report included information about traffic counters at strategic points along East Viking Boulevard in the near future. These will count traffic volumes and types of vehicles along the street. This analysis is done periodically, but will specifically help address complaints from residents about noise and vibration. The city has done this in the past, and results will be compared.