Geneva council increases 2026 tax levy

During their regular business meeting the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 9, members of the Geneva city council set a preliminary city property tax levy increase of 10 percent after being offered a choice between that and a five-percent increase. There had been no tax increase in 2024. 

 

The State of Minnesota requires counties, towns and school districts to set a preliminary tax levy in September, and then to declare a final tax levy in December. The final rate can be the same as or lower than that set in September, but cannot be higher. The majority of the increase will go either to the city’s general fund or the fire department.

 

The Main Street construction continues apace with concrete pouring finishing up by Thursday, Sept. 11. During the street construction, the fire trucks were forced to park in another building; they can return to their fire hall on Thursday. The council discussed compensation for the Geneva citizen who allowed the trucks to be temporarily parked in his building.

 

Frank Thompson of Thompson Sanitation requested a new six-year agreement which includes higher costs for his contract with the city. The current contract expires in January. Increases weren’t included in the last contract and Thompson wanted to correct that since costs have gone up. There were no problems with the paperwork, and the council was agreeable. The issue was referred to city attorney Ashley Olson, with the directive that no changes should take place until January of 2026. Olson gave updates on a “nuisance” or “potentially dangerous” dog that reportedly makes unprovoked attacks, chases people or has a known propensity to attack people. If these things happen, the dog will be classified as “dangerous.” Both conditions require the city and owner to act. The owner will have to construct an enclosure, confine the dog to a leash, sterilize it, or keep it permanently indoors. The owner has the opportunity to request a public hearing to plead his case. Geneva does not currently have a registration process for dogs; if one were implemented, all dogs would be required to be registered. Currently, the law in Geneva says a dog has to be on a leash if it is off the owner’s property. If the dog has an incident, and is off property, that makes the city liable. Olson said, “The city is required to keep its residents safe. The city is potentially liable if a dog attacks a resident in the park.” It was shared that the registration process typically calls for information including the name and breed of the dog and and the name and address of the owner. Should the city begin requiring registration, it could call for additional information including vaccination history, temperament, and more.

In summarizing the city’s responsibilities, Olson used the example of the Geneva Bar and Grill. She said the bar could be open on Sundays if its owners wished, but could not sell liquor or beer. If there were an initiative to change the law, the city of Geneva would have to hold a special election; at least two-thirds of the voters would have to support the change. The city can regulate from there, for example, allowing sales only from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This has been on the ballot four separate times in the last ten years and has been defeated every time.

 

Property owner Frank Whitcomb requested a permit to replace a shed located on his property. The plan is to purchase a pre-made building from Home Depot and have it placed on gravel, not cement. Any areas that need it will receive sod replacements. The council consented to the request as long as the structures stay at least five feet from any property line. A house on Fifth Street was supposed to have been torn down over the summer, but this did not happen; council members discussed the possibility of having the house condemned for demolition. The issue was referred to city attorney Olson.