Council sets 16.2% preliminary tax levy increase

During their Sept. 23 meeting, members of the New Richland city council set their preliminary adjusted 2025 tax levy at $758,166, an amount almost $106,000 higher than in 2024, or about 16.2 percent.

 

City Administrator Anthony Marten predicted that, once actual numbers for staff insurance are available rather than the estimates used to determine preliminary amounts, the city’s levy increase will be no more than 12%. He told council members he estimates high to assure his plans will cover the final figures.

 

“But,” said Martens, “everything is costing more right now. Gas for city vehicles is higher, wages are higher, chemicals for the waste treatment plant are higher. Maintenance for the city streets is higher. New equipment is costing more, everything is going up.” Council members raised a few possibilities for increasing non-levy income, including re-examining fees charged for ambulance calls. After discussion, however, council members approved the preliminary budget with a vote of 3 for and 1 against.

 

Pam Krill is the Workforce Development Coordinator for NRHEG schools, hired by the South Central Service Cooperative to help local students explore employment opportunities as they prepare to leave school. From a small town herself, Krill says she wants to help New Richland grow. Of last year’s graduates, Krill reported 22 went directly into the workforce. Krill told council members she wants to learn where those students went and what could be done to encourage them to stay local. She described activities undertaken during the 2023-’24 school year, including a Mobile Health Lab and Big Ideas Trailer. She also mentioned tours taken by various groups to visit local businesses and perhaps consider them as future employers.

 

After a performance evaluation on Sept. 19, Administrator Martens and Mayor Ferguson recommended New Richland Police Chief Tanyce Bruegger should receive a pay increase to Grade 7, Step 1, at a rate of $34.23 an hour effective Oct. 4. The two administrators also recommended maintenance worker Braeden Thompson be moved to Grade 2, Step 5, at a rate of $22.56 an hour effective Oct. 4.

 

The New Richland Care Center reported its current census is 38, somewhat lower than its average of about 41. The facility reported college-age workers are returning to college, leaving fewer staff members to care for residents. Post secondary high school students are working when they can and that is appreciated. A new beautician started at the Care Center in September and works there a few days each week.

 

The People Service water maintenance report included that the department has new chloride variance authorizations and a permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as of August 1. It also reported opening and inspecting manhole covers from Division to Dogwood Streets as far as Broadway. An inspection undertaken August 5 checked for any breaks or leaks from Highway 13 to Aspen.

 

Street and maintenance departments reported weekly maintenance work had been performed at Legion Field, City Park, City Hall, the city Shop, library, water plant, and at St. Olaf Lake park. Hydrants were flushed on Sept. 12. Al Brooks serviced city fire extinguishers. Legion Field and St. Olaf Lake were closed for the season, including closing water lines and pulling in ropes and the swimming raft. Luke Dobberstein cleaned out ponds and mowed brush in the ditch along Seventh Street.

 

Council members discussed the need to review and update city ordinances, including recoding some. American Legal Publishing has agreed to work with the city and host its ordinances online. Fees named by the company include update costs between $1,600 - $2,100; recodification $6,275; publishing the laws online would entail a one-time fee of $595, with an annual cost of $550. Martens reported about $1,800 is available in the ordinance budget at this time. American Legal Publishing has agreed to waive one year’s hosting fee, saving $550.

 

Employee Anniversaries: Tanycee Bruegger has been with the police department for six years; Kade Madden for one. Mitch Schaitel has been with the ambulance department for one year.

 

The next city council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14.