On Monday, March 9, the Spring Valley City Council welcomed Kali Lentz of CohnReznick, formerly Smith Schafer, as she shared the annual audit report.
The audit showed the general property tax levy represented 35% of the total governmental revenues in 2025 with $1,898,431.
The tax increment financing (TIF) decreased by $23,512 to $19,545.
The local government aid (LGA)represented 19% of the city’s revenues in 2025 for a total of $1,025,570.
There was a decrease in general expenditures in 2025 to $168,579 due to decreased legal fees, salary and wages. Public Safety expenditures came in at $545,597, Public Works decreased to $576,202, Parks decreased slightly to $229,725, library expenditures increased marginally to $242,814 due to salaries and Community and Economic Development fell to $86,328.
The general fund has a balance of $2,476,811, the library fund sits at $232,796, the park fund increased to $60,038, the economic development fund is steady at $94,860, the Economic Development Authority (EDA) revolving loan fund is up slightly to $183,144. The Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) EDA loan fund increased to $23,909 and the exception MIF fund balance stayed consistent at $120,484.
The capital improvement fund balance increased to $2,691,605 due to a net transfer in of $335,526 for future equipment and improvement needs.
Fins and Films Drag Race
Fins and Films President Greg Melartin asked the council to consider allowing the annual drag race to once again be held in Spring Valley.
In recent years, the event was held in Ostrander due to location issues and the council’s concerns with insurance as the League of Minnesota Cities does not cover such events..
Melartin thanked Ostrander for being a welcoming city for the event, but noted it is in their by-laws to have all Fins and Films events benefit the city of Spring Valley so they would like to bring it home.
According to Melartin, the ideal location would be by the city farm. He spoke with neighbors in the area and they have stated they are fine with the event. To appease the insurance questions, Fins and Films offered to get additional coverage on top of their current plan. The council tabled to allow time for a more thorough inquiry.
Staff Reports
The Public Works department has been busy with daily rounds, weekly and monthly testing, attending safety meetings, moving snow, sweeping streets, cutting trees, working with Weber on future projects, working at the compost site, servicing city equipment and brooming trails.
The Park and Recs Department’s basketball program has finished for the year. Council member John Dols thanked the coaches for their dedication.
He also thanked Jim Edgar and Travis Hyland for their work on the ice rink.
The Parks Committee is continuing to focus on fundraising and completing an upgrade plan for the volleyball courts, which will be named the Bobby Jones Memorial Court.
Library Director Melissa Vander Plas and staff have been busy with annual reports, adjusting barcodes to fit Southeastern Libraries Cooperating’s (SELCO) new system and finalizing plans for the summer programs.
City Administrator Deb Zimmer has been working with the auditors to finish the audit, billing ambulance calls and working with Weber and the city attorney regarding snow contracting. The annual junk tour will be completed later this spring.
Co-Ambulance Director Mike Zimmer stated the department continues to be busy. They hope to hold a class in the fall for people interesting in joining the ambulance crew.
Fire Chief Dustin Johnson reported there was one call in February, which was an ambulance assist.
They completed training for occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) blood born pathogen training and farm safety training. Johnson thanked Rick Jahns for allowing the department to hold the training on his property.
EDA Director Chris Hahn noted he has been working on numerous planning and zoning projects.
Hahn announced MidCo will be holding a presentation about potentially bringing their fiber optic network to Spring Valley.
Other Business
After a six-month trial, the council voted to return meetings to their original 6 p.m. start time.
The council approved raffle permits for the Tri-County Trailblazers, Spring Valley Area Sportsmen Club and the Kingsland Youth Basketball Association.
The resolution authorizing management of grant with state of Minnesota, office of Emergency Medical Services was approved.
The council approved a $300 increase in the Fire Relief Benefit for a total of $3,000.
The ambulance subsidy contracts were approved.
After reviewing Jeff Kappers’ request to annex the alley on the west side of Grant Street Park, the council voted to deny the request.
The council approved appointing Ann Irke to the Spring Valley Library Board. The board is still looking for someone to represent surrounding rural areas or Wykoff.
The council approved the hiring of new firefighters Reid Kruegel, Chet Fenske, Nicholas Marzolf and Nicolas Schwebach.
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