1996-12-04 CC Minutes TNT
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ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING
December 4, 1996
Albertville City Hall
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Mayor Michael Potter, Councilmembers Duane Berning,
and John Vetsch, c~ty Clerk Linda Houghton
Mayor Potter convened the Truth in Taxation Hearing at 7:00
PM.
Berning made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye.
The Council opened the floor for public comment. There were
two residents present at the hearing--Jon Buller and Duane Krueger,
newly annexed into the city from Frankfort Township.
Mayor Potter explained how the preliminary budget and levy are
set. Once the City establishes its budget, the amount needed to be
levied is determined. Upon final approval the levy amount is
certified to the Wright County Auditor and that amount is spread
proportionately over all taxable parcels within the city.
Mr. Krueger questioned why his tax statement shows an almost
50% increase in the ci ty port i on of the taxes. The Counc i 1
explained that the all parcels are taxed at the same tax capacity
rate and of Krueger's valuation, he pays more than in total tax
doll ars . The Counci 1 rei tera ted that the tax rate f or each and
every taxable parcel is the same.
Krueger questioned what benefit he rece~ves for his City tax
dollars ~n comparison to the benefits he received when his property
was in Frankf ort Towl1shi p. Mayor Pot ter exp 1 ained that Al bert vi 11 e
is required to pay for police protection, has parks that must be
equipped and maintained, and has its own fire department to fund.
In contrast Frankfort Township was provided with police protection
from Wright County at no cost, had no parks, equipment or park
maintenance costs, and did not have a fire department to fund. In
addition the township had many more parcels over which the levy was
spread.
Krueger asked if the Council would consider lowering his city
taxes. Councilmember Berning stated that the City could not adjust
taxes on a speci fie parce 1, since the County spreads the levy
proportionately. The only possible way to lower Krueger's city
taxes is to cut the proposed budget. A very major cut in the
budget would lower taxes only slightly. Krueger did not choose to
suggest areas of the budget which could be cut.
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The Council explained that even though this year's tax
statements show large increases for the properties formerly located
in Frankfort Township, it is the Council's intention to keep the
levy consistent over the coming year. Hopefully, the resident will
not see any large increases in city taxes in the future.
There were no further questions or comments from the audience.
Berning made a motion to close the Truth in Taxation Hearing
at 8:40 PM. Vetsch seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Michael Potter, Mayor
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Linda Houghton,