The acknowledgement of a $17,000 loss on their June tax settlement served as the primary topic of discussion at the recent Canton City Council meeting held on June 12. With Canton being the hardest hit entity within Fillmore County, all council members expressed confusion, believing that some mistake had to have been made.
The issue was first made evident via a recent letter received from Fillmore County Auditor/Treasurer Heidi Jones. This communication briefly explained that, alleging of their belief of being overtaxed, Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation (MERC) took the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MN DOR) to court. Ultimately, underground pipelines, which served as the area of disagreement, were ruled as private property, allowing for MERC to receive an award of a tax plus interest refund for the past 10 years.
Having been provided the refunds being withheld from other nearby cities and townships, council members questioned the vast disparity apparent, even when comparing entities of similar size and population. What proves even more troubling is that, despite having received this sum over a 10-year period, MERC expects the refund upon the June tax settlement.
Questions ranged from whether some sort of bookkeeping mistake was made, to how MERC’s means of valuing the property, especially specific to Canton in it being so much higher than others, to even if an appeal was possible. Though many believed other towns were likely expressing similar concerns and misunderstanding, the fact that they are better equipped to handle such a refund per capita was also noted.
With the settlement date being June 15, council members agreed that there was no way to get around such an issue. However, all also supposed that, especially after becoming much more publicized following city meetings, more answers would become available via county commissioners, MERC, and the State of Minnesota. Indeed, as perhaps best summed up by Mayor Donivee Johnson, all “deserve answers.”
Public Works Director Jon Nordsving addressed issues with removing phosphorous from the plant, admitting that though he is trying different methods, their effectiveness is not immediately obvious. If such do not prove successful, additional help would have to be hired, though the council would be informed prior to any decisions being made.
Nordsving then revisited the topic of street repair specific to Prairie Avenue. Because such inconsistencies are not deep enough to patch, he is currently in the process of obtaining a quote regarding overlaying. Council members also brought up other areas of concern, with Nordsving reassuring that ditches would soon be cut to allow for excess water flow and prevent additional costs from accruing associated with bringing in considerable amounts of rock just to allow for leveling.
Believing there to be some miscommunication on the matter, Johnson decided to redirect those present back to the specifics of the electronic sign going up on the highway. As some people believed that such would be under continuous power, clarification was made that the sign would only come on when the streetlights did so. All also agreed that communication with MiEnergy would be beneficial in discussing the details, such as in the installation of a transformer and a meter, and whether an outside electrician would need to be hired for construction of a trench line.
Johnson then briefly reexplored the city’s insurance policy, specifically in regards to the extra insurance purchased for the Canton Day Off fireworks event. It was accounted that because their regular insurance only covers parades and other proceedings of a similar nature, the new insurance would be specific to this celebration.
Transitioning to matters of new business, a resolution was approved to allow for charitable gambling at the recently opened Pauly’s Canton Pub.
Additionally, with preparations already having been initiated, a land use permit was approved, allowing for the attachment of a two-car garage to Paul and Shelly Hanson’s house.
The next Canton City Council meeting will be held at Canton City Hall on July 10, at 7 p.m. As always, all are welcome to attend.
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