Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
After months of budgetary discussion, the Rushford Council voted unanimously on December 9 to approve the final levy at $1,180,232. The levy represents $41,601 over 2024, just over a 3.6% increase. The city works to spread bonds and projects out over time to keep the levy from increasing dramatically.
The overall tax rate, determined by dividing the levy by the tax capacity, is 73.35, holding steady for the last three years. Compared with other Fillmore County municipalities, the rate is currently ranked the fourth lowest based on data provided by the city.
“This shows we’re getting quite a value for that low tax rate … quite a big bang,” noted Councilor Jim O’Donnell.
“We don’t necessarily strive to be as low as some of these other communities because you want to accomplish things,” said City Clerk Kathy Zacher.
The city does receive the third highest Local Government Aid (LGA) payout in Fillmore County. Rushford expects $706,718 in LGA in 2025.
The tax rate dropped due to market value increases without a tax increase. Property values in Rushford have increased significantly. Homestead exclusion no longer applies to certain valuation levels. Houses in Rushford are also selling at much higher prices.
“People are not complaining about the levy. They’re complaining about the valuation,” said Zacher.
Councilor Leigh Volkman expressed concern about the county “ramping up” the property tax value. However, Mayor Terri Benson noted safeguards are in place for the valuation system.
“Values are up. When people come to sell, they’re going to love that. Right now, they don’t love it,” she noted.
Zacher highlighted a flyer from the Association of Minnesota Counties and League of Minnesota Cities in the discussion. It included reasons why property taxes may change from year to year. Included are: market valuation change or a change in taxing district market values, a state, county, city/township, school district, or Special District levy change, special assessments added to a property tax bill, a voter-approved referendum, changes in federal or state mandates, changes to aid and revenue from either federal or state government, a change in tax base portions by the state legislature or other state laws adjusting the tax base.
The council approved extending the contract with Darr Realty for the remaining lot in the Himlie Business Park, Lot 7, Block 2. This lot includes Department of Natural Resources bluff protection and gas line easements of 70 feet with Northern Natural Gas. According to Darr, the actual buildable space on the lot is just .8 to 1.1 acres. The city could divide the lot into two, but not without going through the rezoning and survey process.
Business park lots sold for $31,000 per acre, plus assessments. Lot 7 is large and was selling for $142,000. Realtor Rod Darr indicated difficulty finding someone to pay that amount for just one acre of buildable room. He asked the council to consider a price reduction. The council opted to reduce the cost to roughly $60,000 with the option of either one acre plus assessments or two acres with no assessments.
Rushford Police Chief Adam Eide was also present at the meeting to request approval for equipment. He stressed that policies and training are required before the department uses the equipment. According to Eide, the department does not have body-worn cameras, leaving the city open to risk. Additionally, the manufacturer of the department tasers is phasing out the current units. He proposed transitioning to all new equipment at once.
With the current tasers, both probes have to hit to function, and officers are limited in the number of strikes. The new Taser 10 technology includes laser point accuracy, with one probe needed, and it allows up to nine additional strikes. It also allows the department to assign them to specific officers and equipment software upgrades automatically through the battery docking station.
The four body-worn and two vehicle cameras include various artificial intelligence software, including the ability to dictate the audio content in a video. In-car cameras can offload information during vehicle usage. Body-worn cameras will charge and simultaneously upload data to cloud-based storage.
Most importantly, all of these things can be linked. The computer system will immediately activate with activity on a taser, sensors on a weapon, or a body-worn camera. Additionally, the software allows the department to receive photo or video evidence from the public, uploaded by the photo/video owner via a link to the Axon server.
“The technology is ridiculous. The chain of evidence is amazing,” said Eide.
The system can provide information to the county attorney as quickly as possible via the Axon website. It also protects the information, allowing the department to limit access and for how long. The data storage space provided covers the department for five years. A five-year warranty covers the equipment, which the company upgrades before the end of the contract term. With the program, five taser cartridges will be provided per officer each year for training. There will be no additional add-on training costs.
The council unanimously approved the equipment request, a cost of $85,018. The city will contract with Axon to make a down payment and finance the remainder over three. Funding of $27,131 in Public Safety Aid and $33,807 in the equipment fund is available. The department will put $50,000 down and finance the rest.
In other news, the council discussed the recently announced non-renewals of leases for Escobar’s Kitchen (next March) and The Creamery Coffee Company (December). The new Economic Development Authority leasing program may offer an opportunity for new or existing businesses, if eligible, for spaces such as these.
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