Council sets preliminary levy increase

The Ellendale city council met in the evening of Thursday, Sept. 10.   

                          

After looking at their budget and anticipated expenditures for 2027, members of the Ellendale city council set the city’s 2027 “preliminary” property tax levy amount at 3.67 percent over 2026. Under Minnesota law, all agencies supported by property taxes must set a preliminary levy in September. The final levy amount, which can be set at a lower increase than the preliminary, but not a higher one, will be set after a “truth in taxation” presentation in December.

 

City maintenance leader Josh Otto has been receiving bids for road patching projects on Sixth Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Café Alley, Lerberg’s Alley, Third Street and Highway 30. Council members accepted the lowest responsible bid for $38,190 from Ulland Brothers. Otto also informed the council that a fluoride pump at the wastewater treatment plant needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,100.

 

Brian Sarff of the law firm Bolton and Menk advised the council about the wastewater treatment facility and the ponds which need to be updated. Sarff advised Ellendale began exceeding its sewer capacity back in 2022, and told council members the ponds are undersized and the flow must be decreased. The city must meet a deadline of March 27 if it is to receive an extension permit to expand the wastewater capacity. The council asked for more time to review this issue.  

 

Regarding work on the new fire hall, council members were told final move-in is waiting for a couple small projects to be taken care of: a last cabinet has yet to be installed and a door still needs to be painted. A brief ceremony on Sept. 14 will feature a prayer and blessing for the protection of those who work out of the fire hall. The council okayed up to $300 for new, state approved badges for the firefighters. It was also suggested the fire department should retool its  locks, so that all can be opened using a single key.

 

It was mentioned that, of the two residences on Radel Court that were not in compliance with city code, one has completed the requested improvements. The other must still take care of some weeds and a problem fence; council members decided that, if those issues are not rectified by Sept. 17, a fine would be imposed. A residence on Eighth Ave. East has been given till Oct. 1 to fix issues on the property. A residence on Fourth Ave. West has taken care of its issues and will receive no fine. The residence on Sixth Ave. East is slowly making progress; however, the council has received confirmation that a contractor will be finished with the roofing issues by mid-September, then make repairs to the house. As long as those repairs continue on schedule, the council will be satisfied.

 

It was reported that work on the city clerk’s office is almost complete. Not yet taken care of are a review of the plans for the ramp and some wiring yet to be done by a contractor. All countertops have been received and installed.

 

Mayor Scott Groth said the grain elevator owner who also owns the first set of train tracks with the dilapidated bumper plates will sign off on whatever plan Ellendale presents to get rid of them. Groth said the railroad itself was also on board with the plan.