Victoria MN Newspaper

STARTING THE 2015 BUDGET PROCESS

TAX RATE DOWN BUT HOME VALUES UP

Kelly Grinnell, Victoria Finance Manager, presented an overview on June 9th of upcoming calendar dates related to the preparation of the city's levy and budget for 2015.

"This will be the first of several meetings," she said. "We do have a variety of issues to consider. There have been changes since December 2013, including cancelling the joint contract with Minnetrista for building inspection services. Our goal is to maintain the overall levy, but it could increase."

Kelly said that Victoria has experienced a 17% increase in Estimated Market Value. "Ninety-six percent of that increase is in residential value," she said. "The only category that saw a decrease in value is apartments."

The total Estimated Market Value of Victoria in 2013 was $1,012,687,300. Total Estimated Market Value of Victoria in 2014 is projected to be $1,184,595,800.

"Our tax rate has gone down, but home values have gone up," she said, explaining that city taxes on a median valued Victoria home of $350,100 are going from $1,127 to $1,172 for taxes payable in 2015 -- assuming a 34% tax rate.

Kelly pointed out that draft levies and budgets for the various city departments, as well as a Capital Improvement Plan and Long Term Financial Plan should be available in July. A council workshop is scheduled for August 11th. The preliminary levy and budget is scheduled for adoption at the September 8th council meeting. Another budget workshop is scheduled for November 24th. Final documents are scheduled for approval at the December 8th council meeting.

Asked Mayor Tom O'Connor, "What about interaction with the residents?"

"If residents are interested, they are welcome to attend our workshops or any other meeting or they can request to speak," replied Kelly. "We welcome that."

Added the mayor, "And our phone numbers are on the city website."

In regard to resident input, City Manager Don Uram stated, "Our key meeting is prior to September 15th. The earlier the better. By December the budget is pretty solid."

September 15th of each year is the date by when preliminary city budgets must be certified to the county. Prior to the end of the each year, cities must adopt the final city budget.

Mr. Uram pointed out some of the challenges the City of Victoria is facing as it prepares a budget for next year. "We'll be looking at our overall staffing," he said. "There are proposed projects on the books and a large number of lots. We are very busy. We want to meet residents and developers' expectations. We'll be having several discussions about that."

AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY

TO OPERATE THE NEW VICTORIA LIBRARY

On June 23rd Council approved a joint powers agreement between the City of Victoria and Carver County for the upcoming Victoria Library Branch, currently under construction as part of the new City Hall project on Stieger Lake Lane in downtown Victoria.

Said City Manager Don Uram, "This is to formalize our agreement with the Library, for the operation of the Library. It spells out what the Library is going to do and what City is going to do. It's all laid out in the agreement. This is nothing new. It formalizes things. It is similar to what other cities in Carver County have."

According to the agreement, "The City shall provide and maintain approximately 4,000 square feet of space on the first floor of the facility located at 1670 Stieger Lake Lane. The County shall provide and maintain the necessary staffing, material, and equipment to operate and manage the library branch."

It further states: "The County shall provide, maintain, and fund library material, furniture, shelving, services, equipment, technology, personnel, and supplies. The County shall have full management and control of the library branch operations. The County shall provide Internet access to the library branch.

"The City shall provide, maintain, and fund the space, including all necessary utilities (electricity, heat, air conditioning) and miscellaneous service to maintain the premises in a functional condition including janitorial service.

"The City is responsible for maintenance of the exterior of the building including snow removal, parking lot, lawn, and landscape care. The City will provide phones and phone service. The City will allow the County access to the city meeting room space including the city council chambers for library programming."

Said Mr. Uram, "If the library wouldn't stay for some reason, the building lends itself to commercial space, and we'd want to rent it out."

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