Proposed city budget calls for drop in property tax levy rate
By Shelia Tomkins
The Guttenberg city council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 6, on the annual budget for the coming fiscal year. For the second consecutive year, the new budget calls for a small decrease in the city's tax levy rate. The budget anticipates approximate expenditures and revenues of $6.6 million.
The proposed budget covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. If approved, the proposed rate per $1000 valuation on regular property would be $14.78261. This compares to the current year's rate of $14.97794.
Expenditures
A major expense for the coming year is the Garber Road Bridge renovation project with an estimated total price tag of $1.1 million. According to Deputy City Clerk Jamie Blume the cost of the project may be spread out over two fiscal years, depending how quickly work progresses. "Since work will not begin until spring of 2018, this will probably be listed in the budget for the next two years, but only spent one time," noted Blume. Estimated revenue over the coming two fiscal years includes $1 million in federal funds for the bridge project.
Other budget highlights include:
•$15,000 for fire truck repairs
•$24,000 for a three-point hitch mower
•$25,000 to purchase Channel 6 equipment to broadcast live events, contingent upon a successful $18,750 grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation
•$55,000 for repairs to the municipal building, parking areas and sidewalks around the building
•$40,000 in road updates, including re-surfacing Miners Creek Road from 310th Street to the city limits
•$30,000 to replace the launching dock at the south boat dock
•$40,000 in water department capital projects including a generator at the water plant
•$52,000 from sewer funds for the mussel study in the south marina area (if not completed by June of this year)
•$50,000 for poles and labor to replace several electric poles in the city
Projects completed
"We have finished up quite a few smaller projects which will be removed from the next fiscal year’s budget," said Blume. "The remote-read meters are, for the most part, complete and running smoothly. Those lines in the utilities will be reduced to just include maintenance repairs/replacements of the meters. The street sign replacement program was completed ahead of schedule.
"The concession stand at Vet’s field looks like it will be below budget due to many individuals and companies donating time and materials for this project. We have also received several financial donations to assist with purchased materials. The stand should be completed in the next several weeks and ready for softball and baseball games," added Blume. "The new boiler came in under budget which allowed funds for the detailed inspection of the municipal building to identify the source of several issues as well as estimates for the repairs that will need to be made."
The proposed city budget published in this week's issue includes figures for the municipal hospital in addition to the $6.6 million in revenue and expenditures expected by the city.
