The Caledonia City Council set its preliminary tax levy during its regular meeting on Monday, September 22. The proposed levy reflects a 12% increase. While the levy may be reduced before the final approval in December, it cannot be increased once it is set.
Mayor Jeremy Leis made a motion to approve the 12% levy along with the 2026 revised budget as presented. Councilmember David Fitzpatrick seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The 12% levy amounts to an increase of $167,748, with $39,448 of that going into the general fund.
Finance Officer Stephanie Mann informed the council that she had made some adjustments to the budget since the last time they saw it and recommended setting the levy at 12% to allow flexibility due to remaining uncertainties. The city is still waiting to hear back on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for the fire department’s self-contained breathing apparatuses. If awarded the grant, the levy can be reduced accordingly. Three major equipment requests were removed from the budget to help manage costs: replacing the police department’s 2017 Ford F150 and the 2016 Ford Explorer, estimated at $94,000, and replacing the street department’s JD3039 utility tractor with a Toolcat, estimated at $60,000. Mann also reminded the council that it has been the council’s goal in the past to keep the reserve at 50%.
The city’s Truth and Taxation hearing will be held on December 8.
Business owner Tracey Knutson spoke up during the council’s discussion regarding next year’s budget emphasizing that the city is a business and the council needs to make the “right decision, not the popular decision” to trimming 2% off the proposed levy. “All our taxpayers dollars goes to keeping our city healthy, thriving, and vibrant,” she said. “It is an investment.”
Mayor Jeremy Leis called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were council members Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick, John Rauk and Mayor Leis.
Councilor Rauk made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the September 8 meeting as written with a second by Councilmember Fitzpatrick. The motion unanimously passed.
Councilor Klug made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Ninneman seconded. The motion unanimously passed. The items on the consent agenda included payments and disbursements, land use permits for 124 Main Street and 922 Industry Road, and approval of the Solution Builders Master Services agreement.
Mayor Leis called for an update from Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug and Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson.
Director Klug’s updated the council on the water leak on East Grove and the partnership with the DNR Forestry office out at Sprague Woods; they have some work to finish on the Press Box, have two manholes that have failed. During Klug’s report, a Caledonia property owner expressed frustration over sewer-related costs that will be added to her taxes after replacing her sewer system. She said that she has to pay for the tree removal on the boulevard, which is not her tree, and was told that it was the tree that caused the problem with her sewer and she has been told that she has to replace the blacktop on the city street, which again she does not own. City staff explained that the charges are consistent with city ordinance and are applied equally to all homeowners. Casey explained that “it’s actually a city ordinance that you own the service line all the way to the main, including the connection.” The mayor instructed Casey and Jake to work with the resident.
The council also approved releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the sale of city-owned property at 615 W. Washington Street. The city is asking for $100,000, which is the amount the city invested in the property.
No action was taken regarding license agreements that expired on August 1. Four of the five property owners have complied, while one has not. A second letter will be sent to the non-compliant owner, outlining potential next steps if compliance in not achieved.
The council reviewed the overtime reports for the pay period ending September 14.
Leave a Reply