The Clear Lake City Council held a public hearing on the proposed 2017 tax levy before the start of their regular meeting Monday.

 

Resident Mark Markovic expressed disappointment in the amount of tax he’s paying on his Hunter Lake Bluffs property, and asked the council why it keeps going up.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner said paying off the city’s debt takes time, and there are a number of other issues, such as the sewer costs, which he and Clearwater Mayor Pete Edmonson were planning on taking to the Capitol again. 

 

“We have to start building up reserves so the city can purchase equipment when it needs replacing,” said Clerk Kari Mechtel.

 

Council Member Dale Powers explained that while Clearwater’s sewer rates were much lower than Clear Lake’s, they also have more properties to spread the costs out on. 

 

 “Getting more businesses in town to help share the cost would help out a great deal,” added Goenner.

 

After no further discussion the public hearing was closed and the regular monthly meeting began with the council approving the 2017 tax levy in the amount of $353,743.

 

Public Works Supervisor Dustin Luhning presented the council with an estimate for an addition to the city’s main building in the amount of $55,500. The addition will give the city three bays and a storage area.

 

Luhning said once the addition is completed the city will be able to get a bid on salt for the year instead of purchasing it truck by truck from the county like they are currently doing, which will save money.

 

The council approved the construction; the addition is scheduled for completion by spring.

 

Luhning informed the council they would need to start budgeting for a new plow truck next year, as their current truck is in poor condition. 

 

A representative from Gustafson Trailer Sales was unable to attend the meeting to discuss the vacant lot at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 10, so the topic was tabled until January. The business is interested in moving to the location.

 

Powers recommended the council pay for newly elected members Sandy Paige and Karen White to attend the Newly Elected Officials Leadership Conference in order to give them a good foundation for their time on the council. A motion was passed to pay for registration, lodging and mileage.

 

The sheriff reported November was a slow month with only 20 points of contact, which included one accident, one medical and one domestic.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting will be Jan. 3 at 7 p.m., due to the New Year holiday.