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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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City Scoop Continued |
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VICTORIA’S TAX RATE UNCHANGED MOST CITIES IN COUNTY SEE INCREASES On December 14th councilmembers approved the final 2010 City of Victoria Tax Levy, the 2010 City of Victoria General Fund Operating Budget, and the 2010 Victoria Recreation Center Budget. Preliminary levy and budgets were approved in September 2009 and reviewed in the City Scoop section of the October 2009 issue of the Gazette. The information is archived and available at www.VictoriaGazette.com. The proposed [preliminary] levy was $4,314,356. The final levy was decreased to $4,312,280. City Finance Director Jylan Johnson reported, “This represents a decrease of 1.15% or $50,200 from the 2009 tax levy. The final levy will result in no change to the city tax paid by the homeowner unless their property’s valuation is decreased or increased.” The proposed [preliminary] revenues and expenditures were balanced at $3,992,550. The final budget was decreased to $3,989,034. Jylan reported, “This represents a decrease of 1.4% or $55,376 from the 2009 budget. The proposed budget for the Victoria Recreation Center was $260,000. This total remains the same in the final budget. The City of Victoria’s tax rate stays flat at 37.4% which means that for every $1,000 in property valuation, the property owner pays $3.74 in city property tax. Residents are reminded that property tax statements also include county taxes and school district taxes. Jylan presented a tax rate comparison for cities in Carver County. For 2010 those rates are: Mayer 59.7% Norwood Young America 52.2% New Germany 51.8% Cologne 48.5% Carver 46.3% Watertown 43.8% Waconia 39.5% Victoria 37.4% Chanhassen 25.4% Chaska 21.7%
All of the above cities saw increases in their tax rate over that of 2009 except Mayer and New Germany saw decreases. Only Victoria remained stable at 0% change.
UNDERSTANDING MARSH LAKE AREA INCLUDED IN THE MASTER PLAN Council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Marsh Lake Hunt Club for the Marsh Lake Area Master Plan. Stated Holly Kreft, Victoria Planner/Community Development Director, “We don’t know what the market will be when this property develops, but at least we’ll have some options.” She explained that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) lays out each party’s role if and when development proceeds. “Is there anything here that puts the city at risk?” asked Councilmember Tim Amundsen. Replied City Attorney Mike Norton, “At the end of the day, the city preserves discretion.” The City of Victoria undertook this project through a grant from 1000 Friends of Minnesota. The city’s 2030 Comprehensive Master Plan designates the Marsh Lake property as low density residential. It is currently a Hunt Club with many acres of wildlife and rolling wooded terrain with ponds and lakes. Stakeholders will be involved and the Plan will present development scenarios for the area.
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE? VICTORIA COUNCIL ACCEPTS THAT POSITION A first reading of an ordinance related to the Central Business District of Victoria was heard on December 14th. The second and final reading is forthcoming. The pertinent revision to the ordinance now says: “Site plan and building materials review will be by both the Planning Commission and the City Council for all new construction and any additions greater than 20% of the gross floor area.” In other words, the Victoria City Councilmembers would have reviewed the 2009 additions to Floyd’s and the Clocktower under this ordinance change and not just aff review. Stated Councilmember Tom O’Connor, who has been advocating citizen participation through elected representatives, “It’s about establishing a process with more discipline and adding specificity. It brings us in concert with all the major communities around us, and the growing communities. This will leave the city in a much better position.” Tom added, “It can also get the staff off the hot seat if they’re between a rock and a hard place.”
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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January 2010 |
