Posted: 9/21/05
By Anne Thom
The good news in the budget for the city of Stacy is that Local Government Aid, which had been gutted by the 2002 state legislature, has been restored, and property tax collections are expected to increase as more housing units have been added.
But, on the spending side, legal services are proposed to increase by $10,000, from 15,000 in 2005 to $25,000 in 2006. Insurance costs have nearly doubled from $13,000 in 2005 to $22,500 proposed for 2006. The city is allocating $5,000 for the newly formed Economic Development Authority. And public safety continues to be an issue. Residents are demanding law enforcement coverage and law enforcement coverage is expensive. There may be some discussion left on that issue but the current proposed figure is $65,346, an increase over 2005ís $50,000. The preliminary budget translates to a 16 percent overall increase.
Other areas of costs to the city that have risen dramatically include fuel prices, health insurance premiums, necessary upgrades to city equipment and property and the basic costs of a city doing business.
The council agreed to continue working on the budget through the end of 2005 to achieve fiscal balance.
In other business, the council:
ï learned that Amy Joslin, liquor store accountant, has resigned. She was at the council meeting to present the liquor store financial data. Joslin is overseeing the maturity of two certificates of deposit that represent the investment of excess cash from the liquor store. The council also noted that the new liquor store is on schedule with a grand opening tentatively set for Nov. 19.
ï heard from Donna Lindau, who is not a Stacy resident. She was representing senior citizens in and around Stacy who wanted to know if the new liquor store would be willing to consider hosting a gathering for senior citizens one or two days a month.
Other venues in Chisago County do this typically for dancing or social gatherings. Councilmember John Walz said ìI think thatís a great idea,î and offered to speak to the liquor store manager in order to make it happen.
ï heard from developers Greg Boleen and Mike Muske who came on behalf of the Kingís Court project which had been left unfinished approximately a year ago. Boleen and Muske want to move their project forward. They were told to bring the plat back to the council for final approval at the Oct. 11 meeting.
ï approved the low bid of Keith Olson Construction of Chisago City for $2,815 for the rebuilding of the sidewalk around city hall.
ï talked about water tower sites. The council would like to address this sooner, rather than later as the cost keeps increasing for replacement of the current water tower. It appears the least expensive site may be the area of the current well house. More work will be done on this issue soon.
ï was urged by Daher to review the cityís emergency plan. How would Stacy evacuate 1,300 residents? He asked for contingency plans in the event of a tornado, blizzard, fire or a hazardous materials accident.
ï set the Truth in Taxation for Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
ï learned that the joint land use meeting with Lent Township for Sept. 12 was canceled. The meeting is to be rescheduled.
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