Centerville Tidbits
Centerville Tax Rate Falls
A 45.96 percent city tax rate will be presented for 2007 at Centerville's annual Truth in Taxation meeting on November 29.
That compares to this year's 50.47 percent city tax rate, Mayor Mary Capra noted at the City Council's November 8 meeting.
"We had expected it to be in the 50s again, but growth in Centerville resulted in the tax rate dropping to 45.96 percent, so we're very pleased about that," she commented.
City Administrator Dallas Larson added that the 2007 figure means that there will now be at least three Anoka County municipalities with higher city tax rates than Centerville's. Larson did not specify the names of those municipalities, however.
Larson's comment came after a Twin Cities newspaper recently listed Centerville as having the metro area's highest effective tax rate, including those collected by the city, the county, local school districts and other jurisdictions.
According to tax-rate amounts distributed for council review, Centerville's 2007 total tax rate will be 121.65 percent, compared to last year's 136.03, 131.55 in 2005 and 133.76 in 2004.
The city portion of the 2005 and 2004 amounts was 52.84 percent and 54.21 percent, respectively.
Hunter's Crossing Assessments Set
Property owners in Centerville's Hunters Crossing Third Addition will be assessed $14,905.59 each for recent utility and street improvements in the subdivision, the City Council decided November 14.
The assessments will affect 39 residents on Beaver Pond Way and Hunters Ridge Lane, according to figures distributed with a resolution that was approved by the council on a unanimous voice vote.
Payments will be extended over 10 years, with the first installment due on or before the first Monday in January (January 1), 2007, the resolution states.
Installment payments will carry a 5.75 percent interest rate, but no interest will be charged if the entire amount is paid by December 8, according to the resolution.
Peil Leaves Parks Commission
After six years as a member of Centerville's Parks and Recreation Committee, Kathy Peil has submitted her resignation, citing other time commitments.
"I am unfortunately not able to attend tonight's meeting and unfortunately am going to officially resign from the committee at this time," Peil, who chaired the committee this year, wrote in a November 1 e-mail to City Hall.
"I am not able to dedicate the time necessary to remain productive to this committee. I hope all goes well with the projects that are coming up this summer!"
Peil also requested in her e- mail that no city funds be spent on a plaque to commemorate her service.
That prompted the City Council, which accepted her resignation November 8, to officially rename the city's 2007 Earth Day celebration as "The Kathy Peil Earth Day in Centerville, Minnesota."
"We all know how much effort it takes to be a volunteer in the community, and we want to thanks her for her years of service," Capra said shortly before the council's unanimous voice vote.
Added Council Member Jeff Paar, "They'll miss her because she was a big part of that committee."
Those interested in replacing Peil on the committee may contact City Hall for an application.
McLinden Honored
Anoka County Administrator Jay McLinden, who died November 4 after several weeks of illness, was officially honored by the council November 8 with a resolution recognizing his service and dedication.
McLinden, who served as county administrator for 24 years, "provided excellent leadership through times of great change in Anoka County," the resolution notes.
The resolution also notes that McLinden was "a leader that was respected and liked" by both county and Centerville staff and elected officials. The resolution adds that the city council "expresses its sincere sympathy to Mr. McLinden's family and to his colleagues and coworkers at Anoka County."
Travis Nominated for Watershed District Board
Former city council member Richard Travis has been nominated to fill a vacancy on the Rice Creek Watershed District Board of Managers.
Travis, who Capra noted works in construction and has a proven knowledge of drainage and other water-related issues, expressed interest in the vacancy after the watershed district solicited nominations at the Centerville City Council's October 23 meeting.
Travis's nomination, which was approved by the council on a unanimous voice vote, will now be forwarded to the Anoka County Board, which will also accept nominations from other local municipalities.
Centerville City Calendar
Meeting dates are subject to change. Please call Centerville City Hall at 651-429-3232 for updates. City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., except for federal holidays.