At the October 14 Chatfield City Council meeting Mayor Russ Smith read a proclamation honoring one of the city’s own, Betty Lou Balcome. Smith listed the many contributions of leadership and service Balcome gave to the city over her lifetime.
Betty Lou was one of the original fruitcake bakers of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and she continued to do that for over 50 years. She supported her congregation, playing the organ, for over 70 years. Betty Lou, as a teacher, touched the lives of thousands of students in the Chatfield school district. She volunteered at the Tourist Information Center since the inception of the center. Through her work and the volunteering of her time she contributed to the high quality of life in the Chosen Valley.
Betty Lou thanked everyone for the recognition, saying, “I love meeting people; this is super duper.”
A response toconcerned tax payers
A letter to the editor recently appearing in the Chatfield News was signed by 26 Chatfield citizens. It expressed their disappointment in the city council’s unanimous approval of a preliminary levy, reflecting an 8.47% increase.
Mayor Smith explained he researched other cities, mentioned in the letter to the editor, at the state demographer office. He compared the increase or decrease in the number of households in several nearby cities to the percent increase in their preliminary levies. The data for the increase in the number of households was from 2017-2018. Chatfield had the greatest growth by far with 17 additional households.
He explained that the percent of levy increase doesn’t mean an individual’s property taxes will increase by that amount. With more households in Chatfield the total levy will be spread over more property owners. Smith said he appreciated the letter and the thought that was put into it, stating that it was “good to see community involvement.”
Councilor Paul Novotny said he agreed that property taxes are expensive. Everything costs more every single year. What do you value going forward? He recognizes not everyone uses everything available to the public (like the swimming pool, parks, and the library). These things that are nonessential are used by some and not by others. There is “no extra” in the budget.” To get the budget to be less, there will be less.
Councilor Josh Broadwater said the 8.47% increase is not set in stone. The final levy just can not go above that number. It is good to have some wiggle room, some flexibility.
Councilor Mike Urban called attention to variables like the additional costs due to the Highway 52 project. Councilor John McBroom noted people do use nonessentials like the parks. What do people want?
The debt service on the pool and the Highway 52 project equates to 3.5% of the 2020 tax levy increase.
Other business in brief
•The city provides water, sewer, and garbage services. Beth Carlson, deputy city clerk, explained every year there are delinquent accounts which are 60 days or more past due. A public hearing is held in order to allow citizens to dispute the account numbers. She added there were also two overdue bills for grass cutting.
There were no comments from the public. A resolution was adopted authorizing the city clerk to prepare documentation to cause the county auditor to assess delinquent utility accounts for collection with real estate taxes. A second motion was approved to assess unpaid bills for cutting grass.
•A public hearing was also held to consider the vacation of an alley near Hawley St. Derrik and Cristine Peterson requested the vacation of the alley between Hawley St. and Seventh St. Kristi Trisko said all nine property owners were contacted in April and no concerns were expressed. There are no public utilities in the alley. The first consideration of Ordinance 445, to vacate the alley, was approved.
•Luke Thieke, president of the Fire Department Relief Association, explained that because of their decision to join PERA (Minnesota Public Employee Pension Fund), the benefit level will be locked in for five years. Therefore, a $150 increase to the benefit level was requested, bringing it to $2,450 per year of good service for retired firefighters. Thieke noted there still will be an 11% surplus. The increase was approved as requested.
•The second consideration and publication of Ordinance 444, allowing duplexes in R-1 zoning districts, were approved.
•Payment of sales tax to Benike Construction (pool project) in the amount of $54,072 was approved. Authorization was also approved for payment for change order costs, subject to the review of the committee members of Personel/Budget, after the architect signs off on them.
•Brian Burkholder explained that Grove St. from Highway 52 to the new Dollar Store is in tough shape. Two quotes were received to make improvements to Grove St. The lower quote received from JS Voelz Trucking and Excavating in the amount of $11,050 was approved as recommended by Burkholder. Rochester Sand and Gravel will do bituminous work to complete the improvement on Grove St. at a cost of $7,155. Burkholder will ask the developer to contribute to the cost of these improvements due to the wear and tear during the development project.
•Approval was given to repair a broken pick-up plow at a cost of $1,652. The plow was scheduled to be replaced in 2024. Due to budget constraints it was decided to repair the plow and try to get a few more years out of it. The repair costs about a third of the cost of a new plow.
•ABC (Ability Building Center) had its annual recognition banquet recently at the Rochester International Events Center. The city of Chatfield received the Employer of the Year Award.
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