Lino Lakes Ledger
Truth in Taxation
Prior to the regular Lino Lakes City Council meeting of Dec. 11, city Finance Director Al Rolek made a presentation at the Truth in Taxation Hearing to the council and about 10 citizens.
Rolek's 20-minute presentation explained the increases and decreases in the city's 2007 General Fund Operating Budget and what they mean for home and property owners. The $9,609,245 budget constitutes an increase of 11.64% over the 2006 budget. Over the same period, the city's tax base increased 11.37%, according to materials provided by the city.
Public safety is the single largest expenditure area in the budget, amounting to about 38 percent of the total. Public services comprise another 27 percent.
The $8,456,328 2006 tax levy, collectible in 2007, includes the general operating budget as well as dollars for debt service and tax abatement payments. Due to the refinancing of the Civic Center bond issue, the levy was reduced from the preliminary levy adopted in September. Prior to the adoption of the preliminary tax levy in September, $270,868 was cut from prepared departmental budgets.
In other adjustments, the state restored an estimated $330,000 in Market Value Homestead Credits, which go directly back to the taxpayers.
The city's tax rate ranking is 9th out of 21 cities and townships in Anoka County for 2007.
"We're quite proud to be right in the middle of the pack. It shows that we are being fiscally responsible and not making wild swings one way or the other," Rolek said. At the December 11 meeting, Council Member Donna Carlson moved to recess the public hearing until the following meeting, so other residents could come forward to comment.
On December 18, the hearing was reconvened, but no additional comments were taken.
The hearing was closed and the council adopted the 2007 tax levy and budget for certification to the Anoka County Auditor.
Target Donation
The Lino Lakes Target donated $1,900, a digital recorder and a digital camera to the Lino Lakes Police Department at the city council meeting on Dec. 11.
In association with the Youth in Need grant, the money and equipment will be used to investigate, document, and help youth who fall victim to domestic violence and to help find and investigate runaways.
VLAWMO Joint Powers Renewal
City Council approved a resolution authorizing the renewal, with some changes, of the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization Joint Powers Agreement.
The purpose of the organization, formed in 1983, is to meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act.
The current Joint Powers Agreement expires on Jan. 1. The new agreement, which will reestablish the organization through 2011, will be signed by the cities of Gem Lake, Lino Lakes North Oaks, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear Lake, and the Township of White Bear. The St. Paul Regional Water Service and/or Board of Water Commissioners will no longer be a member.
Other significant changes to the new agreement include the establishment of a board of directors, and the creation of a technical committee and budget preparation process. The WMO will continue to rely on annual payments from member units to fund the organization, and will consider seeking levy authority.