Geneva tax levy at three percent

Members of the Geneva city council decided at their Dec. 9 meeting that the city’s property tax levy for 2025 will be set at 3 percent. Truth in taxation is all about budgeting. Council members said among themselves that property values as determined by the county auditor are overly high. Since property value is a factor in the amount real estate owners must pay in taxes, the council members urged Geneva residents to attend the Freeborn County adjustment meetings held in April to dispute the values the county has assigned. 

 

City maintenance reported there was a situation with the sewer line at Sorenson’s warehouse; it somehow became disconnected and was three-quarters of the way plugged with sand and rock. Empire Pipe cleaned and fixed the problem; city maintenance made the council aware of the bill that would soon arrive.

 

For the Sidewalk Project, there has been a pause on the lighting installation, which was to be completed by week of Dec. 8, but has been bumped to the following week, Dec. 15. These lights are being delivered from outside the country and there have been delays. Regardless of cold weather, they will be installed as soon as they arrive. Notifications have been sent to properties all served by lead, galvanized or unknown service lines. Bolton and Menk will continue to support the city with future grant opportunities to replace lead/galvanized lines and identify unknown remaining lines.

 

City resident Fritz Jensen visited with council members to request his property along the shore of Lake Geneva in the Lakeshore Addition be replatted. Jensen is considering selling the land and would like to see it divided into smaller parcels. He told council members new lot lines would “Make them look cleaner to the buyer. Anyone looking to buy at auction can do it all in one piece or individually.” Jensen brought surveyor Steve Thompson, who passed out drawings of the proposed new property lines and offered to answer any questions. Jensen also said he would donate three of his lots for public use if this issue passes. The council took Jensen’s request into consideration but has yet to issue a decision.

 

Geneva residents have asked for the community center to be open so they can walk/exercise during the winter months. There was also a request for dog fly ball practice. The council decided that since people pay to rent the community center, which is $125 per use, that the request for dog practice and winter walking was denied.

 

Dobberstein Lawn/Landscaping and Snow Care Removal LLC. has retired and Geneva has needed snow removal services. For a limited time, Reese Brothers covered the job, but now Thiele Snow Removal will be the snow removal company in town.

 

Cory Bienfang will no longer be representing Geneva for city projects like the Sidewalk Project, on behalf of the law firm Bolton and Menk. Bienfang will now be working for the city of Mankato. The council said he will be missed.