Connie Robinson delivered the presentation for the Truth in Taxation part of last Tuesday’s Becker City Council meeting.
The board passed a resolution to set the tax levy for the year of 2021. After the money raised by other revenue resources (the golf course, the Becker Community Center, etc.) the levy will consist of $4,995,188 for operations, $2,224,345 for the capital improvement plan, $910,963 for debt service, and $3,731,798 for water and wastewater.
The property values in Becker have increased, with residential property up six percent, and commercial property up four percent. Property taxes are determined by the Sherburne County Assessor. Residents with questions about property value and how it is calculated can contact the Sherburne County Assessor’s office at Assessor@co.Sherburne.mn.us or at 763-765-4900.
Those who have questions about the city’s budget can contact Connie Robinson at CRobinson@ci.Becker.mn.us.
Tractor Purchases for Public Works
Becker’s public services division will be purchasing a 2020 John Deere X758 tractor and blower for the use of snow removal on city sidewalks. The cost will be $22,725.
The tractor will save the city money since equipment not well-equipped for sidewalks will no longer be put under strain for that task, and there will be no more need to repair turf that was damaged by said equipment in the spring.
Another tractor, a John Deere 6120M Cab Tractor with a Agrimaxx 12’ snow pusher, will be purchased for removing snow in parking lots and cul-de-sacs. This will replace a smaller tractor that was used for the same purpose. The smaller tractor will be sent to the golf course for their use. and Pebble Creek will also be purchasing a F550 dump truck from the city.
Though this item was not budgeted, staff felt that the sale of the dump truck and the savings that will result from the purchase will compensate.
Though the parks division is seeking approval for the purchase now, the actual purchase will not take place until 2021
City Declares Local Emergency
Council has declared a local emergency due to the COVID-19 situation, pushing staff to review events, legal proceedings, and other regular city business to find ways to do them safely or remotely, or to discontinue them altogether. City council meetings will also be held virtually until at least mid-January.
This declaration will mainly affect city staff. Police Chief Brent Baloun, who presented the declaration to the board, said the regular citizens will likely not see much of the change. The city has declared a local emergency before, when the COVID-19 pandemic first began causing shut-downs state wide.
Industrial Park Expansion
The city is applying for a grant of up to $500,000 which is being offered by the state of Minnesota to cities that are experiencing a power plant decommissioning. This funding will be used for expanding the industrial park.
Council also made a motion accepting funding from the bonding bill, from the Minnesota Legislature’s fifth special session. A total of $20.5 million was awarded to Becker to use in expanding the industrial park.
Public Hearing Scheduled
There will be a public hearing during the next city council meeting, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m, to hear input about fee schedule changes. The meeting will be held virtually, so those who wish to weigh in at the hearing will be required to attend virtually.
