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Proposed city budget calls for drop in property tax levy rate

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By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 7, on a budget for the coming fiscal year that calls for a small decrease in the city's tax levy rate. The budget anticipates approximate expenditures of $6.33 million and revenues of $6.32 million. 

The proposed budget covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. If approved, the proposed rate per $1000 valuation on regular property would be $14.97794. This compares to the current year's rate of $15.11220.

Major expenditures

Major costs for the coming year include approximately $100,000 in consultant fees for the Garber Road Bridge project to be completed in the summer of 2017. A final mussel study for the marina is estimated at $52,000. Plans call for the the final phase of remote-read utility meters to be completed at a cost of $90,000.

The city is budgeting $31,000 for a new boiler in the municipal building, but officials feel that improved energy efficiency should help recoup the cost in the coming years.

More drainage ditches along Highway 52 will be cleaned this year; specialized equipment will be hired at a cost of approximately $8,000. The city will move forward on a street sign replacement program. There is $20,000 budgeted for curb and gutter work.

The library is planning to make its bathrooms ADA compliant and update the entryway flooring at a cost of $13,000. There is $15,000 being budgeted for an outfield fence at Darwin Duwe Field, and $16,000 for a new concession stand at Veteran's field, with grant money and donations anticipated to cover all but $8,000 of both.

Other major expenses are $30,000 for a new truck for the water department and $16,000 for a fence around the water tower  and a stand-by generator at the well.

The proposed budget shows a nearly half million dollar drop in capital projects from last year, due to the completion of the North River Park Drive water project. The $400,000 project was paid for in large part by grants. Three new vehicles were purchased or final payments were made during the current fiscal year — a police vehicle, public works truck and plow, and street sweeper.

Since many of the city's large expense items will be completed in the coming fiscal year, city officials expect that the following fiscal year will see a substantial drop in expenditures.

The proposed city budget to be presented at the March 7 public hearing does not include revenue and expenditures for the municipal hospital; however, the final budget that the city submits to the County Auditor will include those numbers. 

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