NB taxes should stay same

By Barbara Brown
The City of North Branch held its truth in taxation meeting Monday and most residents should not see a significant tax increase unless their home valuations went up, according to the city administrator.
John Moosey, administrator, told the council that the city is in a quality fiscal position for the coming year, but that next year may require a tax increase.
Moosey said during the presentation that the greatest challenge for the coming fiscal year is the stateís anticipated deficit which is expected to trickle down to impact the amount of local government aid the city receives.
Local government aid is like a refund from the state-collected property taxes that is returned to municipalities to help the government run.
Budgeted for the coming fiscal year is $729,200 in state local government aid. Moosey said the city should anticipate losing some of it, but it may lose all of it in the coming year.
He told the council that resident taxes should not increase in the coming year even if the city does lose the aid. He said, however, that the city would be required to cut expenditures like services, supplies or personnel.
If the aid is lost, he said, the city may have to increase taxes in coming years.
Moosey also highlighted the city staff and council goals for the coming year. They include acquiring state and federal funding to expand the I-35 overpass bridge, developing affordable housing, developing a community center and establishing a business park to attract industrial growth.
The cityís fiscal year 2003 budget is balanced at $2,810,775.
The city will host an open house Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a flag-raising at 10:15 a.m., at the new fire hall, south of the city on CR 30.

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