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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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Jylan Johnson, the city’s Finance Director, reported that Victoria’s preliminary tax levy of $4,136,325 represents a 4% decrease (or $179,955) from the 2010 tax levy. The levy and budget is called “preliminary” until they are adopted in December as the final levy and budget. The bottom line can co down but not up. Jylan said that the 4% decrease amounts to about a $60 decrease in the city portion of property taxes on a median value home in Victoria. In 2010 that median value home was $357,800. In 2011 that median value is $341,800. Median value means half the homes in Victoria are assessed at a higher value and half are assessed at a lower value. As stated, and reported more comprehensively in the September issue of the Gazette, the city’s tax rate will remain flat at 37.4%, which is the same as last year. This translates to a property tax of $3.74 per $1,000 valuation in property. The General Fund Budget of $3,640,502 is a decrease of 8.7% (or $348,532) from the 2010 budget. Not included above is the preliminary operating budget of the Victoria Recreation Center. Proposed tax levy for the Center decreases from $260,000 in 2010 to $250,000 in 2011. Three years ago, tax levy for the Center amounted to $515,306 -- more than double the current proposed levey. Operating expenditures for 2011 are proposed to total $265,991 which is a 14.8% decrease from 2010. Jylan Johnson said the city will have close to $1 million now in a Capital Improvement Facilities Fund at the close of the 2011 books. Councilmember Tim Amundsen asked to take it back to the Finance Committee and amend the purpose of that Fund to include public works facilities, recreation buildings and fields, and city hall facilities for the capital improvement plan. “The intent of that Fund should be spread around to the needs of the people,” he said. “I propose we take it back to the Finance Committee to include a broader description.” Stated Councilmember Kim Roden, “I want the public to know that we didn’t pass these things in as short an amount of time as it looks. We have a Finance Committee that the Mayor and Councilmember Tom O’Connor sit on with staff and several members of the public. They worked on the budget all summer and we’ve had workshops reported on in the newspaper.” Also on September 13th, a motion was unanimously passed to hold the Truth in Taxation Hearing at the 6:30 p.m. regularly scheduled Monday, December 13th, 2010, Victoria City Council meeting. At that time residents are invited to speak to the preliminary levy and budget. Also that December evening, Council turns the preliminary budget and levy into the final budget and levy.
BUSIER INTERSECTION AT LAKETOWN INVOLVES COUNTY ROAD AND CITY STREET Jim Crowley, a resident at Red Oak Drive, spoke at the September 27th city council meeting about the increase in traffic at a nearby intersection since he and his family moved to Victoria four years ago. “Additional families have made it a busier intersection,” he said. “I’m asking Council to consider some traffic control there.” The intersection is located on County Road 11 at the entrance to the Laketown residential development. In response to questions from Councilmember Kim Roden, Administrator Don Uram replied, “We’ll do a cursory review and bring it back to Council, as to how much they want to pursue it. It is an intersection of a city street and a county road.” “We would need conversation with the county engineer,” said City Engineer Cara Geheren.
NEW EQUIPMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPT. GETTING READY FOR WINTER IN VICTORIA Council approved the purchase September 13th of a 2011 Chevrolet one-ton truck and body with box and crane for $58,087 plus tax, license, and fees. Total cost will be $61,000. It is replacing a 2001 pickup truck with crane used in the Sewer and Water Department. “It is one of the most used trucks in our fleet,” said City Administrator Don Uram. “Our current one has over 100,000 miles. It’s used daily. It’s time for the vehicle to be replaced. Delivery time could range up to four months.” Motion to approve the purchase passed unanimously. With the suggestion of Councilmember Kim Roden, staff will be investigating the possible use of the existing crane, since it’s a significant part of the expense. Trade in value of the 2001 vehicle is $5,737. Council also approved the purchase of a 2010 Bobcat Skid Loader and snowblower attachment for a total cost of $12,664. Public Works Director Ann Mahnke pointed out that total cost with trade-in of the city’s current bobcat is $8,851, and the new snowblower is $3,800 with the city’s 11-year old trade-in. “It’s a heavily used piece of equipment,” she said. Stated Kim Roden, “I’m glad you’re getting a bobcat because that’s how you get rid of the snow on our cul de sac.”
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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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October 2010 |
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City Scoop Continued |
