The Caledonia City Council adopted Resolution 2026-13, setting the preliminary levy for taxes payable in 2027 at the council’s September 28 regular city council meeting.
Finance Director Stephanie Mann once again emphasized that it cannot go up, but it can go down before it is finalized at the December 14 city council meeting.
After “tightening the budget,” the preliminary levy was lowered from 12% to 9.98%.
When asked, Mann stated that she felt comfortable setting it at 9.98% but was hesitant to say it could go lower. Mann confirmed that the city does not have all the numbers yet, including the Houston County funding for the library, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) grant and union contracts that have not been finalized.
The preliminary tax levy is an increase of $156,251. The total levy is $1,721,897.
The per capita amount is $625.46, which is arrived at by dividing the city’s total tax levy by its total population. Mann provided council members with two graphs illustrating levy per capita comparisons among cities in Houston County and Southeastern Minnesota. Historically, Caledonia historically has one of the lower per capita costs.
The city’s goal is to keep the city reserves between 50% and 55%.
Routine Business
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mayor Jeremy Leis, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members present included Amanda Ninneman, Mayor Leis, David Fitzpatrick, and John Rauk. Bob Klug was absent.
The minutes from the September 14 regular city council meeting were approved.
Ninneman moved to approve the consent agenda, which included paying bills totaling $333,850.87, making a payment to Griffin Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $37,975.82 for work performed on the North Warrior Avenue Extension Project, and approving the automobile surplus designation. Rauk seconding the motion, the motion carried.
Public Comment
Caledonia business owner Tracey Knutson asked if there was an update on the DeWitt Building, to which City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson quickly replied that he could not report anything at this time.
One Caledonia family asked what is being done about the flooding, saying they do not want to clean up sewage again. They said their home, located between the elementary school and the veterinary office, flooded in July and again during the most recent flood. During the July flood, they received 15 inches of water in their basement, followed by approximately 7 inches during the latest flooding. Dickson said the city will investigate the intersection near their home using a camera inspection and sewer smoke testing. The homeowners also told the council that their insurance agent did not recommend submitting another claim and instead suggested going through the city’s insurance so they do not risk being dropped. They estimated the July flood caused about $8,000 in damage.
Public Works/Zoning Director Casey Klug reported that work on Warrior Avenue is progressing well despite recent rains. He said the wet weather has delayed painting at the pool, but the project will be completed once there are a couple of warm days and nights. Klug added that cleanup inside the towers has not yet been scheduled and that a squirrel was responsible for the recent power outage.
Dickson reminded the council that the city will know by Wednesday if the city received an AFG, which funds heavy vehicles like fire trucks which impact the budget.
Mayor Leis said the overtime report for the pay period ending September 13 “looked good.” There were no other comments or questions from city councilors.
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