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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - City government proposed tax increases - 1/1/1990Tcx)(�.s /11 SMEAD KEEPING YOU ORGANIZED No. 10334 2-153L wry kik RECYC W maw CONTENT 10% rotted Fiber Sourchy POSTGONSUI ER wmwafiproy.moro •• f.: MADE IN USA GET ORGANIZED AT SMEAD.COM City proposes lower levy; attendance small at truth in taxation hearing by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Most property owners in Eagan will likely pay more in city taxes next year de- spite falling home values and plans to lower the city's property tax levy. City officials are looking to lower Eagan's 2012 tax levy by 2.9 percent, which they previously thought would keep taxes the same for most homeowners. But the state's new home- stead credit law will likely cause property taxes to rise, explained Gene VanOver- beke, director of adminis- trative services. Under the previous mar- ket value homestead credit, homeowners would receive a credit based on their prop- erty value. The state then promised to pay this credit to the city. However, Eagan did not always receive time- ly payments in the past, VanOverbeke said. 2A December 9, 2011 THISWEEK Eagan taxes likely to climb as home credit changes "When the state failed to pay previously, the council decided to raise the levy to fill this gap," he said at the Dec. 6 truth in taxation hearing. Legislators eliminated that credit formula and replaced it with a market value exclusion. This new formula also is based on property values and offers homeowners an exclusion that lowers their taxable market value. For instance, a home with an market value of $250,700 would be assigned a taxable market value of $236,215. "Across the entire com- munity of Eagan there are about $3 million of taxes that will be excluded," VanOverbeke said. Since the state no longer pays a credit, the burden is shifted to taxpayers. For instance, the average home value is expected to drop to $237,696 in 2012, but taxes on that property are expected to rise by $5 to $805. If the homestead credit had been left alone, taxes on the average value home would have fallen by $32 in Eagan, VanOverbeke said. City officials initially predicted that most home- owners would pay the same in city taxes next year. Property taxes would not decline for most property owners because the tax base is shrinking, VanOverbeke said in previous council meetings. Taxes for commercial property will likely increase at an even high rate. Mike Gresser is one property owner who will feel the growing burden. City taxes on Gresser's commercial property on Lexington Avenue are ex- pected to climb by $888 in 2012. Gresser shared his frus- tration with rising taxes and the poor construction mar- ket at the tax hearing. "During the last three years, the Minnesota build- ing and construction in- dustry has suffered 50 per- cent unemployment," said Gresser, who works in real estate development. "When we see taxes increase, that's not right." Gresser was among two property owners to speak at the hearing. The other spoke about his property value, which is determined by Dakota County. About 10 residents attended the hearing. Gresser urged city offi- cials to slash its budget fur- ther and freeze more wages. "You have to cut just like we have to cut," he said. City officials, though, pointed out that the state, not the city, has caused property taxes to rise. City Administrator Tom Hedges explained that had the homestead credit re- mained the same, Gresser would have paid $268 less in city taxes. Mayor Mike Maguire ex- pressed his frustration with state legislators by saying they mismanaged their bud- get. "They stuck it to busi- nesses because they couldn't pay it any more," Maguire said. He went on to say that he does not believe the city runs like a private business. it Demand in the private sector has gone down. In the public sector, demand continues, and in some cas- es it goes up and costs go up," Maguire said. Bigger budget, cutting costs Though city officials are looking to lower the proper- ty tax levy in payable 2012, total revenues are projected to rise slightly. City documents project total revenues to be $27.4 million in 2012, which is ap- proximately $700,000 more than this year. The city will be able to increase its budget without raising the property tax levy by increasing nontax rev- enues, Hedges said. City officials have been able to contain several cost factors such as health in- surance, while preparing for rising inflation and up- coming election expenses. Eagan also saved money by cutting two positions through restructuring. City officials expect the 2012 general fund to be $21.5 million. Each year, city officials aim to maintain a general fund balance that is be- tween 40 and 45 percent of the general fund. This money is used for operating capital to ensure the city has enough cash flow. Eagan is on track to meet this goal by the end of fiscal 2011, VanOverbeke said. The city would continue to meet this goal in fiscal 2012 if the council approves the proposed property tax levy, according to his pro- jections. City officials expect that staff numbers and services will remain the same next year, Hedges said. Eagan has a history of keeping a tight rein on its spending compared with similar -sized communities. According to a 2011 state auditor's report, Eagan spent fewer tax dollars per capita in 2009 than other similar -sized cities in the state. E-mail Jessica Harper at: jessica. harper@ecm-inc. com Levies giving suburbs the fits (9/19/2001) Page 1 of 4 )10.N EkPL, N T STORY OPTIONS . E-mail to a friend . Print this article Today's Pioneer Press PioneerPlanet: front News Columnists Business Sports Hunting Guide Entertainment Fall Events Guide Travel Living Tech Health Water Cooler Special Reports Classified Ads Site index <ADVERTISEMENT> a FIND A CAR s FIND A CAREER ■ FIND A HOME TwinCit es com Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 Levies giving suburbs the fits BY JUDY ARGINTEANU Pioneer Press Suburban cities certified their maximum levy limits by this week in a time of second-guessing and hair -tearing for many city administrators. They find themselves facing a one-two punch: a spike in their portion of property taxes because they're recovering state aid taken away in a big overhaul this year; and less -than -certain numbers from the state and counties because of the late legislative session. Maximum levy limits are the top amount cities can potentially tax their residents; setting them involves some estimating to begin with, because the final levy is generally not set for another few months. Further complicating matters, this summer's special legislative session delayed the state and county figures that cities need to calculate their bottom lines. Such figures include: - - The new tax rates based on valuation. - - Fiscal disparities, which help equalize tax bases in all metro cities. In response, some cities, like Falcon Heights, are levying the maximum amount the Legislature allowed, to make sure they have some wiggle room when they set the final levy in December. "Our intent is actually to levy considerably less," said Mayor Susan Gehrz of Falcon Heights. "But it wouldn't be prudent to pick a figure now in absence of key pieces of information. We took action only because we had to certify the maximum by Sept. 17." The city certified its limit last Wednesday. "Last year at this time, we were dealing in tenths of a percent," said James Carufel, finance director for South St. Paul. "We This WE CIRCU Click 8 for Savii Martha Home Fa Ladies Mensti Electrc Food & Music & And M, http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/wed/news/docs/137930.htm 9/20/2001 Levies giving suburbs the fits (9/19/2001) Page 2 of 4 can't do that this year." Many suburbs will see an unusually high spike in their levies from 2001 to 2002, because of permanent loss of HACA -- homestead and agricultural credit aid. The Legislature has allowed cities to recover that money, which they once got from state taxpayers, through their local residents. That means, though, that many cities are seeing their portion of property taxes skyrocket, in some cases by as much as a third, while actual expenses rise only a few percentage points. Burnsville, for instance, lost $3.3 million in HACA -- the second -highest dollar amount in Minnesota, said Steve O'Malley, deputy city manager for finance. The city set its levy limit at about $20 million, compared with last year's levy of $15.7 million. O'Malley says the city has not determined spending for 2002, because it's not done setting the budget. "We have adopted the maximum because of so many variables, both requests and needs from community, and all changes in tax policy. We're not positive whether we should go to the max, or whether we should re-evaluate services ... it's really too up in the air." Oakdale lost about $1.1 million in both HACA and local government aid, another form of state aid targeted for property tax relief. "For a city the size of Oakdale to lose $1.1 million in one year" -- about 20 percent of the city's 2001 levy -- "you really need to make it up. Especially when that loss going forward is substantial -- it's not just a one-year loss," said Suzanne Warren, finance director in Oakdale. Oakdale set its levy limit for 2002 at about $6.5 million, compared with an actual levy of $4.9 million for 2001. The city expects expenses to rise about 5.4 percent; for example, the budget item for salt and sand was expected to more than double, from about $40,000 last year to $90,000 this year. Recent comments from Gov. Jesse Ventura and some advocacy groups also have stung. "The interpretation of the governor's comments have sometimes been skewed," said John Wodele, Ventura's spokesman. "What he has said verbatim is "pay attention to what is going on locally. If you agree with proposed spending decisions, fine, that is good. But if you don't, make sure your voice is heard.' http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/wed/news/docs/137930.htm 9/20/2001 Levies giving suburbs the fits (9/19/2001) Page 3 of 4 Search Recent Article: More Search Options go Contact Us Newspaper Subscriptions Terms and Conditions Newspapers In Education Help News Archives Feedback Advertising Information Internship Information Back to Top "We should be talking about citizen engagement -- the assumption should be, is that what the people wanted. What the governor is saying is if that isn't what you want, don't complain later, get in there now." In Lakeville, the new formula is "quite restrictive," said Robert Erickson, city administrator, and could restrict the city's growth in years to come. "As far as the statements by the governor, the Minnesota Taxpayers Association and by legislators warning taxpayers to beware of cities, we would welcome either the governor, any member of his staff, any legislator, or Ms. Runbeck to attend any of our budget meetings and have any of them explain to residents of Lakeville why should one of the fastest -growing cities be one of losers, when the non -growth cities are big winners." Barry Johnson, city administrator for Woodbury, remained unperturbed, however, and reported no citizen response, even though he said spending is likely to rise about 8.5 percent. "We're going to determine what we need to spend to provide services that citizens want. And go through normal budget process to do that. The levy is not going up an extraordinary amount; it's under the levy limit. We're doing what we think we need to do." Nonetheless, many cities plan to step up their public education efforts. The Legislature waived the requirement to hold truth -in - taxation hearings, but many cities are doing so anyway, along with information in city newsletters, which go out to homeowners. Oakdale is planning some additional workshops and council meetings. Many city managers said taxpayers should wait until they get their actual statements and see if the total dollar amount goes down. They should also weight the services they receive against the costs. If there's a message for taxpayers, said Carufel of South St. Paul, "It's this: I am a homeowner also, and I'm relying on what the state Legislature said and that I'm going to save money on an average house. I'm going to look at what it (the city taxes) costs me and what I get. Is it being furnished efficiently? Don't look at taxes, look at the expense side." Judy Arginteanu can be reached at jarginteanu@ pioneerpress.com or at (651) 228-5509. http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/wed/news/docs/137930.htm 9/20/2001 Districts will seek higher tax levies (9/19/2001) Page 1 of 3 <ADVERTISEMENT> Find the Best Canoeing Routes in Minnesota • FIND CAR ■ FIND A CAREER ■ FIND A HOME TwinCities•com Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 STORY OPTIONS . E-mail to a friend . Print this article Districts will seek higher tax levies Today's Pioneer Press BY JOHN WELSH Pioneer Press PioneerPlanet: front In an unprecedented request to voters, more than half of News Minnesota's school districts will hold excess levy referendums Columnists in November to seek additional money from property taxpayers. Business Sports In the Twin Cities suburbs, where school districts have recited a Hunting Guide steady stream of budget woes this year, more than two dozen Entertainment districts will go to voters with levyreferendums. Those districts Fall Events Guide Travel will request more than $125 million annually. 1, vin Tech Statewide, more than 175 out of 344 school districts are Health expected to have excess levy referendums on Nov. 6, according Water Cooler to the Minnesota School Boards Association. That represents at Special Reports least $190 million in additional funding each year. Classified Ads Site index The magnitude of the districts' requests emerged Tuesday, the last day for districts to decide whether to sponsor a referendum. "There are needs that are obviously going unmet," said Dick Anderson, executive director of school boards group. "It's not an easy decision for a board to go out and seek a local levy referendum. ... It's a hell of a lot of work and it can be divisive in some communities." It certainly is divisive at the state level, where several groups are already accusing schools of taking advantage of the massive property -tax reductions enacted by Gov. Jesse Ventura and the Legislature this year. Cuts in property taxes could make levy referendums easier sells to voters, but two groups, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Taxpayers League, are questioning the levy proposals. "It is very opportunistic of them," said Linda Runbeck, president of the Taxpayers League. "I'm not saying there's no district that deserves a referendum. But there's a question when every district http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/wed/news/does/137871.htm 9/20/2001 Districts will seek higher tax levies (9/19/2001) Page 2 of 3 is having one." The election campaigns will conclude a tumultuous debate over education funding this year. At one point, Ventura complained that schools were never satisfied with the level of funding they received and that education had become a "dark hole." During a special session in June, the Legislature passed a K-12 spending bill that provided a 2.5 percent increase in education funding for the current school year and 3.9 percent for the next year. Ventura and lawmakers also agreed to remove the general education tax levy from local property tax rolls and have the state pick up all those costs. Combined with other changes to the property -tax system, the tax overhaul should yield homeowners on average a 22 percent reduction in their property taxes. But school districts complained that this year's funding increase didn't meet their rising costs. Some districts made difficult program cuts in response to their budget problems. Rosemount - Apple Valley -Eagan School District reduced its level of bus service. Forest Lake laid off dozens of teachers and switched from half -day kindergarten to all -day classes every other day in order to save on busing costs. The amount of levies in the suburban districts is expected to be particularly high. Home to some of the state's biggest districts, which pride themselves on their high -achieving students, the suburbs said this year's Legislature provided per -student funding increases below the rest of the state: 2.7 percent this year and 1.9 percent next year. "It shouldn't be a surprise, particularly in the metropolitan area," said Scott Croonquist, executive director of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts. "There's no place else to go. They either live with 1.9 percent or give the local citizens a chance (to vote on a referendum)." But critics complain that school districts are rushing to unfairly capitalize on the property tax changes. The Minnesota Taxpayers League has prepared "Stop the Tax Grab" kits to deal with anticipated increases from schools, cities and county governments. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is urging its local members to oppose or remain neutral on school referendums. The chamber's senior vice president, Bill Blazar, said districts should have waited a year to allow the tax changes to have their http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/wed/news/docs/ 137871.htm 9/20/2001 Districts will seek higher tax levies (9/19/2001) Page 3 of 3 Search Recent Articles More Search Options Contact Us Newspaper Subscriptions Terms and Conditions Newspapers In Education Help News Archives Feedback Advertising Information Internship Information Back to Top full effect. He said the rush to referendums could create a backlash. "Our concern is one of timing," he said. "Districts do this at great peril in terms of their long-term relationship with their taxpayers." But one person who voted to place an excess levy on the ballot - - Stillwater School Board President Mary Cecconi -- said she didn't think she had a choice. The district was looking at losing 75 staff members next year based on state revenue estimates. "I would have loved the luxury of waiting," she said. "But I don't have that." In the past 10 years, an average of 63 school districts have levy referendums each year. The success rate varies year-to-year, from 45 percent in 1996 to 81 percent in 1993. This year, eight of the 10 largest school districts were expected to have levy referendums. But the two largest -- Minneapolis and St. Paul -- will not. They each had levies approved by voters last year. Katie Derdoski, Natalie Moore, Kristina Torres and John Welbes contributed to this report. John Welsh can be reached at jwelsh@pioneerpress.com pioneerpress.com or (651) 228-5432. © 2001 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com- All Rights Reserved copyright information http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/wed/news/docs/137871.htm 9/20/2001 DAY, SEPTEMBER 1t, 2001 ail oys about wise, the =visioned dgh eed :ago and a commuter stings and appears to gg, there y and the serve St. hid," so ch popular Cater for is, River- Until the icuws are sorted rgy Center out, study of the 11-mile Cen- xu, howev- teal Corridor is on hold The best street central Corridor Coordinating avvring St Committee hopes to decade he county Oct. 11 on one alignment that 1 will undergo an environmental Planning impact study But there hasn't mmending been agreement among the to the near stakeholders on the best down- the new town route. Il and the For instance, the alignment rial Park- that would run along St. Peter rea Archi- Street to fburth Street seems ing Board to fit the city's needs, getting vice priori- dose to the event district while University sty serving the central busi- Street and ness district and Union Depot e buildings However, it wouldn't reach the tal, accord- east side of the Capitol com- l. Pnnadal Plex- The controversy goes ;sable serve beyond the route and what areas light rail should serve. nma," says There's also growing concern w rime ran about liirht rails impact on The controversy goes beyond the route and what areas light rail should serve.. There's also growing concern about light rail's rail oc S impact on such key issues as parking, access to businesses and the relocation of underground utilities. LOCAL HEWS FROM PAGE 1B WWW.TWINC,ITIES.COM a ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS What school districts are seeking aistrid Shcool number diriaict 11 Anoka -Hennepin 'c- - ----.. Restore program cuts. maintain current programs, reduce lass sizes, other programs_ _ 271 Bloomington_ 279 Osseo oisbid Shcod minim district Maintain current program The district tapped its rainy day fund this year to avoid budget reductions. 286 Brooklyn Center 2N0 Ballot indudes a bond referendum 622 North St. Paul - Maplewood -Oakdale Maintain current programs and services. 191 Bumsarille �[' - - ti'laintain current p rarn;. The district is looking at about $5 million in budget reductions next year if the levy doesn't pass. 272 Eden Prairie 273 Edina 831 Forest Lake Restore program cuts, maintain current programs.. 13 Fridley 200 Hastings Restore some cut programs an add to some existing ones. The district trimmed about $1.7 million from its budget this year to keep the books balanced. 270 Hopkins 199 hirer Grove Heights The November referendum will be the third try after two failed ballot questions. The money would be used for the restoration of staff positions and programs. 276 Minnetonka, information not available. 832 MahtornediMIfii Renews and expands existing levy; ballot will indude two questions on school and community building projects. 621 Mounds View Source_ Individual school districts Upcoming referendums (continued) pared "Stop the Tax Crab" kits to deal with anticipated increas- taxes could make levy referee- es from schools, cities and coum- dums easier sells to voters, but ty governments 278 Orono _�� A second ballot question would fund technology request_ Falcon Heights. "But it wouldn't be prudent to pick a figure now 281 Robbinsdale Replaces current excess levy of 5390 per student 196 Rosemount -Eagan - -s- Apple Malley =.:_'!J „ ___. The district makes its third attempt at a levy in as many years. The money would be used to restore arts, indud'ing adding back 30 teaching positions and school bus service for all grades. 283 St. Louis Park 720 Shakopee 833 South Washington County Maintain current dass sizes ballot will indude a second question that raises $2 2 million 16 Spring Lake Park 834 Stillwater Reduce class sizes, all -day kindergarten, expanded science labs and other program 284 Wayzata 197 West St hurl -Mendota Heights -Eagan About 43 percent of the money would be used to maintain academic programs the other 57 percent would go toward textbooks, materials and additional staff. PlOWER nlEss Setting limits (continued) Many cities plan to step up their public d0080 30V11VM 3E11 Who is benefiting by extra meeting? To the editor. Outgoing Mayor Tom Egan Arid Mayor -elect [Pat]. Awada will use their voting_ bloc one last time to lock out citizens and send the bill to taxpayers. After ignoring continued cit- izen pleas to reject the odd year elections and let the citizens decide, they voted repeatedly to charge ahead with a new or- dinance and special election. Even after it was clear they no OPINION f longer had the votes to sustain the issue in the new year. Following her election, Councilmember-elect [Peggy] Carlson indicated she would join Councilmembers [Sandy] Masin and [Bea] Blomquist to rescind the ordinance. Citizens again pleaded for an end to the unnecessary work and ex- pense, yet the voting bloc charged ahead to schedule an election. Now, in a surprise, 1lth hour special council meetin, called to rescind the ordi nances 255 and 256 the tax payers will foot the bill again To add insult, newly elected Councilmember Carlson will be unavailable to participate or observe. There is no oppor- tunity for citizens to plan for or attend this meeting. No local paper will be circulated to no- tice the special meeting to the 3,000-plus interested taxpay- ers who signed the petition and pleaded with the council. Addi- tionally, this item is already on the agenda for the first meet- ing in January, and mayor - elect Awada could bring har- mony to the council by joining the others in an action to save the tax dollars. What is the public benefit to this action? Whose face(s) are we saving? What citizens and newly -elected policy makers are being cut out of the action? Why does this need to happen so urgently? Why are families and holiday celebrations inter- rupted? Who benefits - taxpay- ers or a voting bloc who has just lost the power to secretly control City Hall? If there is no benefit to the taxpaying public, no legal rea- son for extra staff time, no pub- lic emergency, then the new Mayor -elect Awada and the outgoing Mayor . Egan are abusing the public trust for dot, personal gain and should apol- ogize to the public. I challenge either of them to justify this ac- tion. What is the criteria for a special meeting? Special meet- ings are for emergencies to aid in serving the public good - not the ambitions of a few. Bea Blomquist Eagan Public paying higher tees, property taxes; getting tewer services by Don Heinzman TH[SWEEK NEWSPAPERS Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who got his political start as a council member in Eagan, has been instrumental in cutting state aid for cities and causing the city's por- tion of the property tax to go up. While these are tough eco- nomic times, the governor insists cities have reserves and the ability to cut spending and hold proper- ty tax increases in line. By not increasing taxes at the state level, as the DFL major- ity had proposed, the governor and the Republican minority are passing the spending and local taxing decisions down to the city councils, school board members and county commissioners. Letters Morgan: More tax and spend To the editor: Liberal state Rep. Will Morgan ;net If the governor cuts state aid as he projected in his budget, local state aid (Lo- cal Government Aid and Market Value Homestead Credit Aid) could be sliced by $100 million this year and $182 million in 2010. Without warning last year, the governor cut the state aid to cities by $66 million. As for the future of local cit- ies and towns, local officials are between a rock and a hard place. Faced with less revenues they must cut spending or raise taxes, which they are reluctant to do. Since the major source of reve- nue for cities, school districts and counties is the property tax, they are going up. While the governor and his party do not raise taxes Special session should convene To the editor: I have a deep concert at the state level, they make local officials the bad guys, while at the same time capping the local tax rate increase by 3.9 percent. Property taxes have gone up from $4.8 billion in 2001 to $7.5 billion in 2009. The property tax is regressive, meaning it is not based on the people's ability to pay it. The governor is making people believe he's saving them money by not raising state taxes while forcing local property taxes up. Instead of working with the Legislature, which did give him a balanced budget, he chose to veto the tax increase portion and to unallot revenues and cut out programs. Some will argue that the gov- ernor is doing the people's will by a husband, a representative of Burnsville and must also be the managing editor of the Sun Current and This - cutting spending and holding the lid on tax increases. But his action is taking its toll on local government revenues. Cities are responding by de- laying road maintenance, cutting library hours, cutting staff posi- tions, not filling vacant positions, and freezing salaries. In Burnsville, the council is looking at cutting 13 positions. In Elk River, five positions have been trimmed, and in Cambridge, which could lose $1.1 million in state aid this year and next year, two positions have been cut and officials are looking at cutting more staff. Little Falls city staff did not receive salary increases and fewer staff members are being hired. The same story is being told in most cities. Some city councils are budgeting figuring the loss of aid or no aid from the state. Meanwhile, the public is pay- ing higher fees, higher property taxes and getting fewer services. Until that message reaches legislators, particularly Republi- can legislators, state aid for cities will continue to be cut by a gover- nor who won't be back for a third term to face the music. Don Heinzman is chairman of the ECM Publishers Inc. Edito- rial Board. Thisweek Newspapers and the Dakota County Tribune are part of ECM. He is at don. heinzman@ecm-inc.com. Columns reflect the opinion of the author i l,t�n9-K- 06- \9-'2-b09 ;URNSVILLE 7TH LOWEST - Eagan Has Lowest Tax Rate but Of 70 Met Communities The owner of an $18,000 house Circle Pines will taxes th67 is r ent more in property ear than if the same home were )sated in Eagan Township. The two communities have the ,ighest and lowest property taxes Among 70 of the largest metro- �olitan municipalities --those with a population estimated at ' :,500 or more. The combined tax rate for each community was compiled by the Citizens League research staff and figured against an$18,- 000 owner -occupied house to make comparisons readily un- derstandable. The League is a 3,600-member non -partisan or- ganization working to improve local government. Their office is 545 . Mobil Oil Bldg., Min- neapolis. The 10 communities with the highest property tax (school dis- trict numbers in parentheses): Circle Pines (12) $496; Mah- tomedi (832) $488; Forest Lake :831) $473; Stillwater (834) $461; 3rooklyn Center(286)$457;New- ort (833) $453; Lino Lakes (12) :elsior Lakeville4and )4 Ex- (276)$439;Mound 277) $437. At the bottom of the list are he following 10: West St. Paul (197) $325; St. Anthony (282) $324; Golden Val- ey (275) $324; Burnsville (191) ;323; Shakopee (720) $322; Edina 273) $314; Little Canada (623) ;312; Mendota Heights (197) $305; aver Grove Heights (199) $303; Eagan (197) $296. Where a municipality lies in. )re than one school district, e predominant district has been lected. Parts of Eagan Town - nip, for example, also are in istricts 191 and 196, where taxes mould be $321 and $353. A 1967 survey by the Citizens League had placed Mahtomedi at the top ($698). Eagan then had an estimated tax of $413 in districts l91 and 197 and $474 in 196. Although total mill rates have dropped in only 21 of the 70 surveyed communities, property taxes in all of them are lower than in 1967 because of sales Lax credits and payments. Minneapolis and St. Paul are o receive a sales tax rebate it $6.96 per capita, and their ;chool districts are to get$22.13 nd $16.83, respectively, per ch )ol-age child. Rebate figures re 5.22 for other municipalities nd .20.03 for other school dis- lcts. Homesteads are given a redit of 35 per cent on the non- ebt portion of the property tax. The state tax rate also is ab- ent this year -- a saving of .48 mills in Minneapolis and t. Paul and 17.14 mills in other ;unicipalities. Minneapolis, while having the 5th lowest tax on an $18,000 xuse -- an estimated $337 -- inks fourth highest in its' mill ;crease, going from a combined ►te of 232.67 mills in 1967 (Continued On Page 2A) Two Area Supts. Will Tour Europe Two area superintendents of schools have been accepted for a month long tour of European countries sponsored by the Com- paritive Education Society, in America. H. C. Hanson, superintendent of schools at Rosemount, School District 196, and K. O. Dahlager, superintendent at District 199 of Inver Grove Heights, were notified they had been accepted for this trip. They had made application for acceptance early in November of 1967. They will be two of about 100 superintendents from all over the United States who will have the opportunity to make a com- parative study of education in various countries under the auspices of the Society. Points of call include Oslo, Norway; East Germany, Moscow, Russia; Novosibirsk (in Sibera) and Budepest. The group will be out of the United States on mis tour from November 2 to Novem- ber 23 of this year. Because of the widespread in- terest in education under com- munism in contrast with non- commuist education in Europe, and in many current references to these contrasts in the popular press of the United States, the Comparative Education Society, the Commission of International Relations in Education of Phi Delta Kappa, and the National School Boards Association be- lieve that public and private school and university adminis- trators will benefit from a series of seminars and field studies de- signed specifically for them. Theme for the study that Han- son and Dahlager will participate in their travels in "Contrasts in European Education". 'The Outdoorsman' At The Lyric An exclusive showing, one day only, will be ' `The Outdoorsman", a hunting and fishing film taking place in Alaska, Canada, Arctic, Midwest and Africa. The Lyric will present this great hunting and fishing spec - Fire -Routed Family Rents House Trailer Harold Kieffer, whose family lost their house north of Mies- ville in a fire 2 1/2 weeks ago, has rented a mobil home which is located on the farm. Just after the fire, the three youngsters had been staying at the home of a grandmother, Mrs. Marie Gergen, in Hastings. They are more than grateful to the many who offered help. Kieffers plan to rebuild the house in the spring. • • NFO Elects Cal Kimber As Chairman By MRS. FRED M. HARRIS Lakeville, Minnesota - Cal Kimber of Randolph was elected to serve as chairman of the Dakota County NFO for 1968 at the annual election of officers on Thursday, January 11, 1968. Dwain Otte, Randolph, was re- elected as vice-chairman, Mrs. Vernon Jensen, Lakeville, re- elected as secretary, Wm. Otte, Randolph, was also re-elected as treasurer. Clinton Zweber, -Lakeville, was voted in as a trustee to serve for 3 years. Vernon Jensen, Lakeville was selected as the district direc- tor. Harland Quinnell was elected chairman of the meat board. Elected to serve with him are Isadore Gergen, Rosemount; Darrell Mongeau, Farmington; Clarence Kamen, Farmington; Louis Sachs, So. St. Paul. To serve as alternates on the meat board are Clinton Zweber, Lake- ville, Art Rechtzigel South St. Paul; David Kamen, Farmington; Ervin Sieben, Cannon Falls; El- mer Mahowald, Northfield. The all commodity holding ac- tion is now in effect, leading off with grain, with meat and milk to be included at later dates and opportune times. Low farm prices mustbe stop- ped now. Farm prices are con- siderally lower than they were 20 years ago. Farmers have been operating on credit instead of ofit. Rural businessmen find tacular on January 24 at 7:15 accounts receivable mounting rapidly. The only way to stop low farm prices is to stop selling. NFO cannot legally advise non- members nor solicit their sup- rt, nor does NFO ask farmers p.m. and 9:30 p.m. This film was five years in the making. CARS AND SHOULDER BELTS Detroit — General Motors has announced that future all f to ship m to desert their presentorgaza- ments of passenger cars (except tion. We do ask them to join NFO convertibles) will be equipped with two front seat shoulderhar- nesses. List prices will be re- vised. so they can participate m effort and help get a fair price their production through Col- lective Bargaining Program. 1 INF gib Community center is major contributor to city tax increase Truth -in -taxation hearing quick and uneventful by Dan Gearino Staff Writer The city of Eagan's truth -in - taxation hearing Monday was done quickly, an indication that citizens are mostly pleased with the slow growth of the city portion of the property tax. Beginning in 2001, Eagan taxpayers will begin paying for the central park and communi- ty center, approved by voters in a June 6 special election. Without factoring in the cost of the community center, the average taxpayer would pay less than in 2000. An Eagan resident with a home valued at $150,000, paid $422 in city property taxes in 2000 and will pay $402 in 2001 before the community center is factored into the equation. For this taxpayer, the community center tax will be $49. At the Monday hearing, City Administrator Tom Hedges prefaced his comments See Hearing, 13A Hearing/Continued about the budget by saying that any questions or concerns about a home's assessed value should be referred to the coun- ty. Though the city truth -in - taxation hearing is intended to be a forum for residents to comment about the city portion of the property tax, often resi- dents arrive seeking to com- plain about or clarify their home valuation. Home values in Eagan have risen steadily in recent years, leading to large tax increases for some residents, even though the city, county and school district portions of the tax have had only small increases. The public comment por- tion of the hearing lasted about 10 minutes, as several resi- dents sought clarification about their tax statements. The city's 2001 general fund budget was originally planned to increase 6.9 percent from 2000, but the City Council made several changes to cut $180,000, reducing the increase to 5.9 percent. Among the things cut was the planned hiring of an addi- tional police officer. Public safety is the largest cost center in the general fund, comprising 43 percent; public works and parks and recreation each take up 15 percent; there is a 2 percent contingency fund; and the remaining 25 percent is "general govern- ment," like the city administra- tion and council. Tom Pepper_ acting finance director, said he is pleased with the 2001 budget. "We're in very good condi- tion," he said. "Taxes are only. going up because of the com- munity's decision to invest in the central park." The City Council will approve the 2001 budget at its Dec. 19 meeting. S VZ -ut -1.009 a 50-50 g 'Away )y Jesus. .d every Low the carol to tst. lot of s," said nice to he peo- ho are t year add a ig the rease eed. ears, cted is of the it v- id n Lg Li- n. www.mnSun.com-Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009 - Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun -Current 9 Council approves final tax levy. Budget increased 6 percent, but funding lapses led to 9 layoffs GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS The Eagan City Council brought one of its toughest budgeting years ever to a close with the approval of its 2010 gen- eral fund tax levy Tuesday, Dec. 15. "It's been a long year," said City Administrator Tom Hedges. "We've had the budget on the agenda since the unallotment occurred, which should have been received about a year ago today." The council approved a 6 percent tax increase, but the increase won't go for an increase of staff or servic- es. The city instituted a pay freeze on nonunion employees and still had to lay off the equivalent of nine full- time positions. City officials say that had state government followed through on what had been originally alloted through market value homestead credit in 2008 and 2009, the levy would have increased 1 percent. Declining city revenues have also played a factor in the budget picture, as the council also had to eliminate $592,00 from- its 2009 general fund in June through staff and service reductions. City officials said the picture did- n't look much rosier for coming years, as the city gets closer to full development and the economy con- tinues to struggle. "It doesn't look as if times get eas- ier necessarily, as we deal with a declining market and a maturing community," said Mayor Mike Maguire. "It isn't over," said Hedges. "The future has more in store for us. We're a reflection of the economy." However, Maguire said the adjust- ments made during the most recent budget process would likely be help- ful as the city goes forward in its next budgeting cycle. "This is a temporary end to a long process," said Mayor Mike Maguire. SUM corm I. 01•U(- Zell LI 39Vd 01:130008 03 spi}I J04 sieo3 6 '130 Oman suns uoi4aa G30Vd V10Hi CO CD imp Da co • 0 hw cD o 0." ¢'x4z cn... r.v; crcla :c) oct: :," ,f7,:m g't g ,07+1 ;-,' td. 0"' CD �vCDCc) cr O co ..... ' o cm P' n0bgo;, HQ,r0'¢ �.0 `C Oq pig .`3 CD 0 <D o 0 O p• y . - P., a. 0 It co ' m �y o CDD CDD CCDD �,'q••� ,nf 'L7 0 rt w', m w '.' .7 cD ►S w* O m cA `, m 0 rf cyi' ¢' O .'3 N gct.�x :ray po�m� w O O O 4.n.. xn• w w' ti4 �'`Q 5. rt r. N '. ▪ O O "T Q. , (D 0 cr< o '� ,' cc: '* 'f,' • 5 sro r. ,0- o n. 0. Q- cD 4 fn cn �. %i n , a F' m .° �. ¢' 0 Q' CS' O ••. p K rr 1'4 y �? O `C k Y p '. o cD ' cD !s. 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(D U° rt `4 O d° O '7 oc' 0 . ga „Oo, 'ERR P r O. 0' F R. r! G ."S gi 2 5 m 0 O At 0 C `C 0, mpo z O O K m m m . ,,•" O. O O V� : m rt O K r K (� rt O '% . m O•' , b Oi A� O ''3 r* p, (n n n �i rt 0—woo O (b R O , �m e.rQ1 rtrt0 d4 Ort cr'G• `C ,-,-)3'4 Y F,E,0'—. P'C Q (mn C.� Z E;mD O �G� m� '.'�rjC oar O O jai mn m ¢= � voi m W p p.m N5,hw m z m K . .••" N .A... (aD rt 0 p -• 0 CCD 5, m m ,,,, ''•' ' rt m m fiag'K.. Vi • y'.o'O-',..-m O(KD'4'., mVOi 7° bKp. TwmrtmI (i,m� Oct. 3. 2001.. 9:370k_171.THE WALLACE GROUP SOUTH ST. PAUL No.8389 P. 3/3 1 ath art, mi. the ath ony stir .22- ster Nrd- tint alms ting iftel his rigi- ilin and ,nd's ntfe, dkes.. unty not jail His ages 3, .om 1I KY JUUY ARGiNTEANU PIONEER PRESS South St. Paul will settle a suit with keel Energy over a proposed power line upgrade that would run through the city. . The suit revolved around the etty'a contention that Xcel should bury the line under- ground and that the cost of such action would be spread across consumers systemwide rather than being borne only by South St. Paul ratepayers. Xcel sued the city, saying the city did not have jurisdiction to set these conditions, and the council voted 5-2 Monday to support a resolution essen- tially withdrawing both condi- tions. Xcel wants to rebuild its115 kilovolt power line on new, taller poles and add an addi- tional circuit to help offset potential power failures. The line would stretch from New- port to Bloomington, and run City ees to settle power line lawsuit Opponents fear adverse effects on health, property values Roger Conant, a Sunfish Lake resident and member of the Power Line Tack Force, a group opposing the proposed line, appeared at the Monday council meeting to protest the resolution, citing studies that linked such power Tines to potential health effects, as well se lowering property val• nee, Clifford Green, the attorney retained by the League of Min- nesota Cities to represent. South St. Paul in this case, explained the council's dect ston as a practical one. "We're dealing in unsettied arc's of jurisdiction, The ques- tion is did the South St. Paul (pity Council want to spend taxpayer money to establish and clarify the law given the context,"." Such a suit cooler have been expensive and drawn out, and the complex issues of reg- ulation and authority involved would be better addressed by the Legislature, he Raid. through South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Sunfish Lake and Mendota Heights. Opponents of the proposed power line have raised objec- tions about adverse health effects of the electric and mag- netic fields, or EMI', generated by the line, as well as the potential for lowering proper- ty values. The resolution did stipulate that If Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake get more favor- able terms in their arrange- ments with Xcel that Xcel will incorporate those terms Into its agreement with South St. Peal. Xcel also has brought s suit against Mendota .Heights over the power line; arguments were heard in late September and a decision is pending. Xcel hasn't decided whether It will appeal if the ruling goes against it, said Pat Cline, com• munity and local government. relations manager for Xcel energy. EAGAN if1r�49.r''f' TIF district for redeye opment OK'd iiY AMY bHEUMAN Pioneer Press The, redevelopment of the Cedarvale Mall area took a big step forwa d Tuesday when the Eagan City Council unani- mously voted to create a tax - Increment i'lnat>etng district The TIF district will attract developers to transform the spot that was once Eagan's downtown. The shopping cen- ter lost Customers many years ago when changes to roads cut off easy access and as newer retail developments cropped up in other parts of the city. 7'he city now considers about 60 percent of the properties in the 130-acre district on the western edge of Eagan sub- standard. "If we don't do TIE, it will continue to go downhill," Council Member Meg 'Tilley said. Ragan is pursuing agree ments with developers to build teeming. a hotel. retail. offices and a park and ride. The prej- eCt is estimated to cost µp to $260 million; about $51.5 million in tax Increment will help pay frig development costs.'raxpay- ers will not see an increase in their taxes to pay for the proj- ect financed by developers and TIF, according to the city. Here's how TIF works: For 25 years, the additional taxes generated from the new devel. opment will go back to peying costs such as demolishing buildings and installing utili- ties, rather than onto the tax rolls, To use TIF, the project. mug pass the "but for" test: but for the financial help, the development couldn't happen. City leaders, some resi- dents and business owners bay revamping the numown part of town is long overdue. Hugh Fitzgerald, owner of Cedarvale Lanes bowling alley, slxzke in support of the revital- ization Tuesday. Development has been stagnated in the area, he said. Fitzger ald's business will remain after the redevel- opment vel- opment. But some residents and people who work In the area disagree with the plan because it will displace residents and employees. If redevelopment proceeds in all the proposed areas, about 40 properties, including businesses and homes, will be acquired. Although displaced owners will receive relocation assis- tance, not everyone wants to move, including tenants of the Cedarvale Mall The mall will be torn down sometime in the next five year's, Massa Pat Awada said. The mayor said that the mall owner has known for a long time about the city's plan, That leaves mall man- eggement in a tough spot: try- ing to keep the mall occupied although tenants know they can't stay for long. :lien Thomas, who spoke on behalf of mall management, said the economic value of the building would be destroyed. "It's also important to understand that at the time of this lawsuit no state agency had determined that the effects of EMF were proven to be sufficiently unsafe that transmission line policy should be changed," he added. Steve Sylvester was one of two council members who nonetheless casta dissenting vote. "1 truly believe we should have taken on Xcel Energy as for as the undergrounding goes," Sylvester said Tuesday, although he said he would not supportsuch a measure if the whole cost would have hod to be borne by only South St. Paul residents. "If we would have cooperat- ed with Sunfish Lake and Mendota Heights, 1 think we might have won the case. I'm concerned about the health issues and think it would have been worth giving it e shot." Council Member .iane Rund, who also voted no, could not be reached for cony ment, PAGAN ati Poll on golf course project off for now 8Y AMY ssieRMAN f 1wnPPr ! Y'PSS In response to concerns froni the golf eranmittees, on Tuesday the Eagan City Council decided to indefinitely delay arty public poll about the golf course' proj eet. Last month Mayor Pa' Amide suggested that the cit] hire a company to poll resident' to gauge intermit In the ert:attot of a golf course, Awada has sok she got the plea for the poll arts talking with Lauren Fiorine, vocal opponent of the got course and member of a city appointed golf committee. But Florine saki hi an inter view that she thinks a poll i premature at this point an that the committees - . not th ,„Irif,f. Oct. 2. 2001 10:31AM THE WALLACE GROUP No.8373 P. 2/2 au++ s AVNEER PRESS • WWW,TWINCITIES,UOM TUESDAY, OcTOBER 2, 2001 LO C EAGAN Council likely to OH TIF for Cedar Grove Incentive would help tear down and rebuild businesses, homes BY AMY SHERMAN Pioneer Press The Eagan City Council is expected to approve tonight the creation of a tax -increment financing district to lure devel- opers to build in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area, drawing some criticism from residents who want TIF used for affordable housing, The financial incentive will help developers demolish busi- nesses and homes and replace them with housing, a hotel, retail and offices in the 130-acre site surrounding the Cedarvale Mall. The goal is to spruce up the aging area that was once Eagan's downtown. No building proposals have been approved, but the city is pursuing agreements with developers. The project is esti- mated to cost up to $250 million. About $51.5 million in tax incre- ment will help pay for site improvements and other costs. TIF is a controversial tool frequently used by cities — although less so in Eagan — to spark development, Here's how it works: for several years (26 in this instance in Eagan) the addl. tional taxes generated from the new development are used to help pay for costs such as demolishing buildings and installing utilities, rather than onto the tax rolls. TIF critics say the tool is used too often to help wealthy companies and takes away tax revenues from local govern- ment. Supporters say without TIF, they wouldn't be able to attract the development, which will eventually provide increased tax revenues, SOUTH SUBURBAN EDITION Some Eagan residents, including city planning commis- sion members, have criticized this plan to use TIF because it will help a developer build upscale housing. On Oct. 15, the City Council is likely to give the go-ahead to Delta homes to build town homes that will sell for $200,000 to $250,000 on the site. Develop- er Mark Parranto said he needs TIF to pay for demolishing exist- ing buildings; otherwise the development isn't financially feasible. But it still irks some rest - dents, "TIF money is something special, something given by the state," said planning commis- sioner Shawn Hunter. "It shouldn't be squandered on $225,000 homes. When afford- able housing is a problem, I have a philosophical problem using TIF for $225,000 homes," The TIF vote comes amid heated debate in Eagan about affordable housing. This sum- mer, the planning commission recommended that the council approve the TIF district, but later some commissioners criti- cized the plan after hearing about the upscale housing. In general, the commission is more interested than the City Council in affordable housing. The City Council's mantra has been "we don't control the cost of hous- IF YOU GO,„ What: Eagan City Council to vote on TIF district for Cedar Grove When: Tonight, meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., listen- ing session starts at 5:30 p.m. Where: Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road For more information: Go to www.cityofeagan.com ing. That's up to developers and landlords." It's possible that the Cedar Grove area will include afford- able senior housing. The city is pursuing an agreement with Shelter Corp. to build units that would meet the Met Council's guideline for "affordable." While housing TIF districts must include some affordable units under state law, there are no similar rules for redevelop- ment TIF districts — such as the one proposed for Eagan — even if they include housing, said Joel Michael, a legislative ana- lyst and TIP expert. "Redevelopment districts are routinely done for what most people characterize as luxury or high -end housing" Michael said, because upscale housing produces more taxes to pay off the project. "The policy notion is that what cities are trying to do is eliminate dilapidated, sub- standard uses of property. But I guess one could sure question if you're going to do housing, shouldn't some of it be targeted (for affordable housing)?" SOUTH SUBURBAN The Eagan C ty Council Is expected to approve tonight the r•eatlor of a tax•Increment financing district for the Ceder Grove Redevelopment Area. Page 28 A few cities have filmed TIF into an opportunity to build homes for people like teachers and secretaries who don't earn enough to pay for housing in today's market. Minnetonka, St. Paul and Minneapolis require residential developers who want financial help to make at least 20 percent of the units affordable. Eagan has no such policies, "If you want public money, you need to provide a public benefit," said Robert Streeter, Minnetonka community devel- opment coordinator. Mayor Pat Awada Is against the city dictating housing prices. The $250,000 townhomes are midlevel, not upscale, but the cost doesn't factor into the council's vote, she said. "If we say if you want TIF you need to do something; build affordable housing, for commer- cial build purple buildings, then we are making a value judg- ment on development and attempting to institute our will on what, that becomes down there," Awada said. "We've wel- comed all developers whether they build high -end, low -end, or purple buildings." Atny Sherman, who covers Eagan, laver Grove Heights and Rosemount, oan be reached at ashermangpioneerpress.com or (851) 228-2174. acalairliUCt CUUlbI2:2261increiTHE WALLACE GROUP http://www,thisweek-online 4 C L /Oc[ 3 riine.htrnl News j Sports Classifieds Business Directory Links j Our Company j Contact Us 1 Monday, October 08, 2001 Local airline trouble could bring a tax increase Posted 10/5/01 by Erin Johnson Staff Writer The Eagan City Council chamber played host to two House committee meetings Oct. 2 as representatives listened to testimony on the health of the airlines and their workers. Representatives from local airlines and the director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) appeared before the committee to ask for state aid to help the troubled industry. The House Tax Committee, which includes local representatives Tim Pawlenty and Tim Wilkin, listened to more than two hours of testimony on the current financial health of the airline industry. The local airlines are asking for a reduction in fuel taxes, assistance for laid off workers and cash aid. Committee members will use the testimony to decide what exactly the state can offer to the airline industry to supplement aid from the federal government. According to Rep. Tom Rukavina, state aid to the airlines can only translate into higher state taxes. "Now we're going to have to step up to the plate," he said. "And I don't see how anyone sitting around this table can say that we aren't going to have to raise some kind of taxes." That afternoon, a joint meeting of the House Committee on Commerce, Jobs and Economic Development and Jobs and Economic Development Finance addressed worker issues related to the airline crisis. Among those testifying were Rebecca Yanisch, commissioner of the Trade and Economic Development Committee, who said that for every Minnesota job lost at an airline, two jobs are lost in related local industries, Nationwide, she said, every airline job lost equals six related jobs lost. The committees listened to some options the state has to help laid -off employees, including the extension of cash benefits that would last a year longer than unemployment benefits, an extension of COBRA and Medicaid eligibility. Union representatives also spoke before the committee, some accusing 2 10/08/2001 9:49 AM ocalairliUCt 8 2001b12:22PMincrc,THE WALLACE GROUP http:!'www.thisweek-online,N 0. 8 4 6 2 iociP . 3/ 3rlinc.html Northwest of using the crisis to further its own agenda. "They are using this crisis to ram through their own agenda, no question about it," said Kip Hedges, a union representative and Northwest baggage handler. Hedges said the vast majority of workers laid off by Northwest don't qualify for the severance package. Northwest is also paying overtime to existing employees instead of using that money to re -hire some employees, Hedges said. "Ground zero is Eagan, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, etc.," Hedges said. "Funding the dislocated workers program should be a top priority for the state." Lawmakers will decide on an aid package when the session begins in January; some suggested that Gov. Jesse Ventura night call another special session to deal with this issue. "Members, we have our work cut out for us," said Rep. Greg Davids. "We will see what the governor decides to do, if we'll he called back into special session or if we wait until the end of January." ©Thisweek Newspapers f2 10/0$/2001 9:49 AM IF YOU GO (10/02/2001) Page 1 of 3 <ADVERT;SE.MENT> Tt-E TWIN CITIES HOME PAGE 'K).NEE ZPlAiET III FIND A CAR a FIND A CAREER ■ FIND A NOME TwinCities.com Published: Tuesday, October 2, 2001 STORY OPTIONS . E-mail to a friend . Print this article IF YOU GO Today's Pioneer Press What: Eagan City Council to vote on TIF district for Cedar CI RCU Click B PioneerPlanet: front for Savil News When: Tonight, meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., listening session Martha Columnists starts at 5:30 p.m. Business Home Fa Sports Where: Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road Hunting Guide Entertainment Ladies Fall Events Guide For more information: Go to www.cityofeagan.com Travel Mens‘ Living Council likely to OK TIF for Cedar Grove Tech Electrc Health Incentive would help tear down and rebuild Food & Water Cooler businesses, homes Special Reports Classified Ads Music & BY AMY SHERMAN This W4 Grove Site index And M Pioneer Press The Eagan City Council is expected to approve tonight the creation of a tax -increment financing district to lure developers to build in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area, drawing some criticism from residents who want TIF used for affordable housing. The financial incentive will help developers demolish businesses and homes and replace them with housing, a hotel, retail and offices in the 130-acre site surrounding the Cedarvale Mall. The goal is to spruce up the aging area that was once Eagan's downtown. No building proposals have been approved, but the city is pursuing agreements with developers. The project is estimated to cost up to $250 million. About $51.5 million in tax increment will help pay for site improvements and other costs. http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/tod/news/docs/14 8784. htm 10/3/2001 IF YOU GO (10/02/2001) Page 2 of 3 TIF is a controversial tool frequently used by cities -- although less so in Eagan -- to spark development. Here's how it works: for several years (25 in this instance in Eagan) the additional taxes generated from the new development are used to help pay for costs such as demolishing buildings and installing utilities, rather than onto the tax rolls. TIF critics say the tool is used too often to help wealthy companies and takes away tax revenues from local government. Supporters say without TIF, they wouldn't be able to attract the development, which will eventually provide increased tax revenues. Some Eagan residents, including city planning commission members, have criticized this plan to use TIF because it will help a developer build upscale housing. On Oct. 16, the City Council is likely to give the go-ahead to Delta Homes to build town homes that will sell for $200,000 to $250,000 on the site. Developer Mark Parranto said he needs TIF to pay for demolishing existing buildings; otherwise the development isn't financially feasible. But it still irks some residents. "TIF money is something special, something given by the state," said planning commissioner Shawn Hunter. "It shouldn't be squandered on $225,000 homes. When affordable housing is a problem, I have a philosophical problem using TIF for $225,000 homes." The TIF vote comes amid heated debate in Eagan about affordable housing. This summer, the planning commission recommended that the council approve the TIF district, but later some commissioners criticized the plan after hearing about the upscale housing. In general, the commission is more interested than the City Council in affordable housing. The City Council's mantra has been "we don't control the cost of housing. That's up to developers and landlords." It's possible that the Cedar Grove area will include affordable senior housing. The city is pursuing an agreement with Shelter Corp. to build units that would meet the Met Council's guideline for "affordable." While housing TIF districts must include some affordable units under state law, there are no similar rules for redevelopment TIF districts -- such as the one proposed for Eagan -- even if http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/tod/news/docs/ 148784.htm 10/3/2001 IF YOU GO (10/02/2001) Page 3 of 3 Search Recent Articles More Search Options Contact Us Newspaper Subscriptions Terms and Conditions Newspapers In Education Help News Archives Feedback Advertising Information Internship Information Back to Top they include housing, said Joel Michael, a legislative analyst and TIF expert. "Redevelopment districts are routinely done for what most people characterize as luxury or high -end housing," Michael said, because upscale housing produces more taxes to pay off the project. "The policy notion is that what cities are trying to do is eliminate dilapidated, substandard uses of property. But I guess one could sure question if you're going to do housing, shouldn't some of it be targeted (for affordable housing)?" A few cities have turned TIF into an opportunity to build homes for people like teachers and secretaries who don't earn enough to pay for housing in today's market. Minnetonka, St. Paul and Minneapolis require residential developers who want financial help to make at least 20 percent of the units affordable. Eagan has no such policies. "If you want public money, you need to provide a public benefit," said Robert Streetar, Minnetonka community development coordinator. Mayor Pat Awada is against the city dictating housing prices. The $250,000 townhomes are midlevel, not upscale, but the cost doesn't factor into the council's vote, she said. "If we say if you want TIF you need to do something; build affordable housing, for commercial build purple buildings, then we are making a value judgment on development and attempting to institute our will on what that becomes down there," Awada said. "We've welcomed all developers whether they build high -end, low -end, or purple buildings." Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, can be reached at asherman@pioneerpress.com or (651) 228-2174. 2001 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com- All Rights Reserved copyright information http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/tod/news/docs/148784.htm 10/3/2001 the city of Fagan for construction of the new Eagan Community Center. 'This bill allows the city of Eagan to use an option that sig- nificantly reduces the construc- tion costs incurred by the con- struction of the community cen- ter," Wiener said. "Many other cities have taken advantage of this option with similar commu- nity projects, and it's only fair u.3 -0 -.Z - -O0j Sen. Wiener introduces bill to save Eagan taxpayers' money Sen. Deanna Wiener, Eagan, that materials and some of the i introduced a bill March 15 that equipment and supply costs for would refund sales taxes paid by the Eagan Community Center not be subject to sales tax." Wiener predicts that, based on current project costs of the com- munity center, Eagan property tax payers would save at least $300,000. She has requested that the bill be heard in the Senate Income and Sales Tax Budget Division in the next few weeks and has asked Rep. Tim Pawlenty, Eagan, to carry the bill in the House. tA-1Z-01 2A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001 www.mnSun.com Loss of state funding adds to increase in Eagan's general tax levy By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Efforts by the Eagan City Council to re- duce the impact of lost state funding on the city's general revenue tax levy left the city looking at a $2.8 million increase in its 2002 levy. During its Sept. 4 meeting, the City Council set the 2002 general revenue property tax at $17.9 million, nearly a 19 percent increase over the 2001 levy amount of $15.1 million. The bulk of that increase is a $1.7 mil- lion increase necessary to make up for funds lost from the repealed Homestead and Agricultural Credit Aid (HACA) pro- gram. The City Council is required by law to certify the proposed payable 2002 prop- erty tax levy on or before September 17, 2001. The levy can be subsequently de- creased, but not increased, City Adminis- trator Tom Hedges said. The city was facing an $18.5 million state -imposed limit for the general rev- enue levy. However, with the increase to make up for the loss of HACA funding, the council sought ways last month to reduce other increases across the general revenue levy. They removed $395,483 set aside in the levy for a storm sewer mitigation project, deciding instead to make up the difference between what state aid covers for the project and its estimated $8 mil- lion cost by means other than property taxes. "I think it's best if we pull any storm water mitigation improvements out of the levy and discuss ways to finance improve- ments without property tax," Coun- cilmember Peggy Carlson said. That reduction, combined with moves to eliminate other items the council members said were not yet necessary, re- duced the levy by $623,960. As part of the its property tax over- haul, state lawmakers eliminated HACA, which subsidized cities for tax base lost due to reduced property tax rates on com- mercial and industrial properties. According to the Minnesota House of Representatives, Eagan received $2.17 million in state aid in 2001, which includes both HACA and Local Government Aid (LGA), which will also decline. Eagan is projected to receive $71,469 in state aid in 2002. The overall property tax levy for 2002 will also include: •$212,608 for debt service on Eco- nomic Development Authority bonds for the community center, an increase over the $123,000 in 2001. •$1.4 million for community center bonds debt service, which is the same as in 2001. • $3,000 for Cedarvale Special Ser- vices District, the same as in 2001. The services district was established several years ago to fund the purchase of signage and certain property maintenance activ- ities. Preliminary budget numbers presented by Hedges last month showed a 2002 gen- eral fund budget calling for $20.96 million, an 8.7 percent increase over the 2001 bud- get of $19.28 million. The schedule for the city as it moves to- ward finalizing the 2002 general fund bud- get will continue Tuesday, Oct. 8, when the council receives an overview of the gener al fund followed by a November public hearing on the budget. The county will use the certificatior information to mail Truth-in-Taxatior notices by Dec. 14. Both the levy and bud get will continue to be reviewed prior tc final adoption in December, Hedges said Aug.29, 2001 12:22PM THE WALLACE GROUP MNSUN - News No.7976 P. 4/5 http://mnsun.com/story.asp?city=Eagari&story---73354 cIM newspapers Select a 1OWi1 Select -a TOkil R.:trcidaI'iN_gws 7, S I:00p munit , Edi7riation,,,` `C`alOrdar rca{fit ;iPi.ibll.c. Safety Sertilora:t, s; Obituarl s 4eg'a Election, NeW8'- 4Sports t;Iew Sports,. Briefs ,. tea: f vents/Scoib ;Home Page' Archive .. :" A Business +�y..,, News ' "i`5,- : !, a Clasis-ffl bin 'Finance Cale' °Horoscope's ' ;Market Place Net•D.irectory iNukritip�t'Calc; Weather': Conta;t'et _Adverti$e ' ' {,; Jobs At�Sur 'Sun Slots �Y"{�rTiff�f-1 �hb.'e Who 2 x hb s VVho ► .: E,iu-61' IOC eiccoiwn Dung Duk daze` V`411z Bang Days t 1 Local Forecestwednesday, Aug. 29, 2001 Niirre Click Here S'amMarosof Council holds off on hearing regarding TIF, redevelopment By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers (Created 8/29/01 8:54:3 5 AM) A public hearing on the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area and establishing a tax -increment financing district to raise funds for the project will come a little more than a month later than originally planned. The Eagan City Council voted to continue the public hearing on the issues to its Tuesday, Oct. 2, meeting, after deciding during Its Aug. 21 meeting there wasn't enough information regarding the viability of the TIF district. "There are so many components here that we need for the process," Councilmember Peggy Carlson said. "We don't want to go through this process twice If we don't have to." The Eagan City Council has been studying for more than two years the possibility of redevelopment In what was formerly known as the Cedarvale Area. The council unanimously agreed to hold off on a public hearing for the plan until a review of each parcel for TIF qualification was completed. That review also will look at how recent changes to the tax -Increment law will affect plans for the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area. Consultants from Ehlers and Associates, the city's project management consultant, said it is typical that the public hearing is held in advance of completing all of the detail work on parcel and district qualification, However, council members said they wanted to wait until that process was completed. "We are asking residents to give public testimony on something that we don't even have the data and don't know if It can become a reality," Mayor Pat Awada said. The proposed T1F District would give Eagan the authority to use the mechanism known as lax -increment financing to spur development and reinvestment in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area. 12.5 ThaNET 1CIlECTOr rinoitles,aoi 1',111 of Ilic 1 wiriCifir- . con N4,lwni 1. 1 off 08/29/2001 10:12 AM Aug.29. 2001 12:23PM THE WALLACE GROUP MNSUN - News No.7976 P. 5/5 http://mnsun. com/story.asp?city-Eagan&story=733 54 Wr,lz Bang Days,. RHspb ... ...., rry E.estvar' NET'DIRbCT'OiY f. i Deall g'Vliifh Affoidbble Houslri�'`' Poweed,byi By seeking to create the district, the city hopes to partner with potential developers in the area. Each project agreement In the district would be constructed based on the demonstrated needs of the developer, said Assistant City Administrator Jamie Verbrugge. To qualify for TIF dollars, each developer would have to show that the project would not be able to go forward without the TIF assistance, Verbrugge said. "There will be a definite reduction in the amount of money available because the general levy funding of school districts has been taken off the local rolls and assumed by the state," Verbrugge wrote in a city memo. "That means that, for the most part, the city and county share of property taxes is wha': remains for TIF generating purposes." As part of the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area plan, Cedarvale Mall will be torn down for redevelopment, which could Include a hotel, office buildings, affordable housing for senior citizens and more. The plan, agreed on by consensus June 18 by the City Council, acting as the Economic Development Authority, and the Economic Development Commission, also calls for demolishing about 20 other businesses In the area as well as up to 10 homes. The city already is working on preliminary deals with developers to revitalize the area. The City Council is working with the Dakota County Community Development Agency to bring senior housing into the redevelopment area. That housing would be in addition to an agreement already in place for a townhome development in the Cedar Grove area and other possible future agreements the city Is seeking to provide more housing and offices. The development pier' calls for various other features to be built In the area over the next five to six years. Those features include a transit station, a hotel for the southeast corner of Highway 77 and Highway 13, offices on the north side of Highway 13, including an office building providing more than 15,000 square feet between Tesseract School and the Silver Bell Plaza office complek. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has submitted an application for federal funding to help with costs for a proposed park -and -ride and transit station In the redevelopment area. Despite the public hearing being postponed, the City Council did take questions from the public after voting to continue the hearing. Bea Blomquist, a former council member and mayor, questioned why the area's name was changed from Cedarvale. She said that by changing the name to match the Cedar Grove neighborhood, the council was presenting the false Image that the neighborhood needed redevelopment as well. Carlson said the name change was made by the council to "get away from the Cedarvale feelingoff a mall." When the council voted for the change in March, members said the change was to "establish an identity tying into the long-established residential area of the same name.' Eagan resident Margaret Schreiner, who chaired the Cedar/13 Redevelopment Study Task Force that first studied the area, said there Is still much confusion in the public regarding the redevelopment plan. "There is a great need for public education in the community, perhaps because this is the first large redevelopment area in Eagan," Schreiner said, 2 oft_ 08/29/2001 10:13 AM MNSUN - News Page 1 of 3 11;1 newspapers sIli ers Select a Town: 'Select a Town 'v ] GO J Local News No Local News Community Education Calendar Opinion Public Safety Seniors Obituaries Legals Local Sports Sports News Sports Briefs Events/Scores Business News Business News Entertainment Horoscope Classifieds Classifieds Weather Weather Past News News Archive Contact Info. Contact Us How to Advertise Jobs At Sun Front Page Home Page Spin To Win! Sun Slots Special Sections NET DIRECTory Who's Who Fire Muster Fall Motoring lea ro rt,'29 ty newspapers Online EAGAN Local Forecast ,Dagov Cuez Local News Monday, Sep. 11, 2000 uvr? Preliminary budget shows slight increase in property taxes By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers (Created 9/6/00 10:02:10 AM) Owners of a $150,000 house in Eagan can expect to pay $513 in the city portion of their property taxes for 2001, an increase over the $485 the same resident would have paid for 2000. While the city's portion of their property taxes will fall by 4 percent in Eagan because of the city's growth, the addition of taxes to cover the first payment on community center bonds will result in a slight increase overall. Those figures are the results of a preliminary budget presented to the Eagan City Council by City Administrator Tom Hedges during an Aug. 29 special meeting. The preliminary general fund budget, including contingency funds, is set for $19.46 million, up $1.26 million or 6.9 percent from the 2000 budget. The city's total levy based on tax capacity is up to $15.23 million, a $1.06 million or 7.5 percent increase over 2000. That amount includes a new debt service levy of $123,000 for interest on bonds for the new central park property. Not included in that levy figure is the $1.4 million that will be levied for collection in 2001 to cover the first payment on $15.4 million in community center bonds. Because total market value for Eagan has increased over the estimates used for the center's referendum, the levy rate will drop to .0328 percent from the .0365 percent shown on the Want to promote your local business online for - FREE http://mnsun.com/story.asp?city=Eagan&story=48996 9/ 11 /00 MNSUN - News• • Page 2 of 3 Search The Web Powered by: 11 Search I ballot. This means that in addition to the $464 Eagan residents with a $150,000 property valuation would pay for the city's tax levy, they would pay an additional $49 to cover the first year of payment on the community center bonds. These two figures total the $513 mentioned above. During the course of the meeting, the City Council made one change to the preliminary budget. Council members questioned a proposal by staff to use cable franchise fees to fund the city's communication program, Hedges said. "The council's response was, 'No, let's leave the franchise fees intact,- Hedges said. "Because of that the expenditures will need to go down, but the overall budget will remain the same." The communications program will still be funded, but its funding will now be diverted from other expenditure areas in the budget rather than from the cable franchise fees. Another change for the 2001 budget is a series of step increases in compensation for employees based on a study completed last year for the city. That study, the first compensation study for all city employees since the mid-1980s, was authorized by the City Council in late 1998. The study was conducted during 1999 by an outside consultant, taking into consideration comparable worth, market place and several other factors to determine a level of compensation for the city's non -union labor force. Adjustments from that study began to take place last year and continue to be a major factor in the 2001 budget, Hedges said. With the labor-intensive nature of city government, service delivery and personnel services represent 73 percent of the city's total operating budget. The total impact in the 2000 budget was an increase of $199,000 to cover compensation increases that would have otherwise been deferred or not paid at all. The extra amount to cover the changes was diverted from the city's contingency funds. While the exact amount for salary increases in the 2001 budget has not been determined, Hedges estimated it would be less than the $199,000 in the 2000 budget. The state imposes a Sept. 15 deadline for local governments to present their maximum tax levy to the county. To meet those deadlines, the City Council reviewed the preliminary budget Aug. 29. The council was scheduled to formally approve the preliminary budget, the maximum tax levy, and dates for Truth in Taxation hearings during its Sept. 5 meeting. Dakota County will send out Truth in Taxation notices in http://mnsun.com/story.asp?city=Eagan&story=48996 9/11/00 MNSUN - News • Page 3 of 3 Ivovemoer ana the anal ouaget wiii oe presentea oerore the city Council during the December Truth in Taxation meetings, Hedges said. This site and its contents 02000. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: (612) 829-0797 - Created and maintained by Quantum Digital Interactive Email: jcorbo@quantumsite.com http://mnsun.com/story.asp?city=Eagan&story=48996 9/ 11 /00 bakuto. (o jVt,nukroe, tit- flI -01 Bottom line 2002 tax impact released by Brett Andersen Staff Writer Only Stillwater has a higher median income in the state and Dakota county ranks 41st out of 3,668 counties in America. With a median household income of $57,802 in 1997, only four places kept Dakota county from the top 1 per- cent in America. Apple Valley Council Member Tom Goodwin pre- sented this data to the Rosemount -Apple VaIley- Eagan School Board Oct. 22. He also compared Dakota County to the 12 counties in Minnesota with the lowest median household incomes and their expenditures per pupil unit. The 12 low earning coun- ties — Mahnotnen, Clearwater, Aitkin, Wadena, Lincoln, Cass, Todd, Big Stone, Hubbard, Red Lake, Norman and Beitrami — earned on average $27,691 per household in 1997 and spent $7,072 per student in 2000. District 196 spent $6,006 per pupil unit in 2000. "How in God's name can we be one of the wealthiest counties," said Goodwin, "yet find it suitable to spend almost $1,100 per child See Taxes, 8A - taxes/From 1 A Goodwin said he expected two or three to be higher than District 196 when his curiosity made him compare the coun- ties. What he found was 10 of the 12 spend more than District 196 while earning under half the average income. e.d LAw OFFICES LUTHER M. STALLAND StnTE 2340, RAND TOWER MINNEAPOLIS 2, MINNESOTA PAUL H. HAUGE 3oard of Supervisors Eagan Township St. Paul, Minnesota 55111 Gentlemen: February 28, 1966 RE: 1966 Town Tax Levy For purposes of determining the limits within which the Town of Eagan can levy taxes for general and special town purposes, the following is intended to offer a summary of this information. 1. Initially, a township is authorized to levy up to 17 mills on its assessed valuation for general purposes including payment of indebtedness and general obligation bonds. (M.S.A. 275.10) Included within this limit are levies for such purposes as the fire department which according to M.S.A. 365.19 is permitted a total of $6,000 per year and a maximum of 2 mills for the Firemen's Relief Association. 2. Under M.S.A. 164.04, Subd 2, the electors can authorize a maximum of 25 mills in addition to the above for road and bridge purposes. The Board of Supervisors then has the authority to determine whether it is necessary to collect that amount or any part thereof. Subdivision 3 of same section further permits the Board of Supervisors at any time after the Annual Meeting but prior to October 1st of that year to levy an additional amount of up to 5 mills for emergency road and bridge purposes. 3. A third general source of revenue is found under M.S.A. 273.13 Subd 7, whereby in the event of emerSency type situations, the Board of Supervisors may request that the assessed valuations of homestead property be converted from 257. of the Full and True valuations to non -homestead rates of 407.. This is done after the Annual Meeting by certifying the budget adopted to the County Auditor who makes the conversion if the normal mill rate is insufficient. The County Auditor has made the following computations reflecting the taxable revenue that can be raised during 1966; ASSESSED VALUATION - 1965-1966 Homestead Non -Homestead Personal 1,414,328 1,894,703 535,625 (17 mills on 3,844,656 would produce $65,348) Converting the Homestead valuation from 25' of the Full 2,261,392 1,894,703 535,625 (17 mills on 4,692,220 would produce $79,767) Total Assessed 3,844,656 and True to 40% of same: 4,692,220 Page 2 Board of Supervisors If the 17 mill levy does not produce sufficient revenue and the electors vote to approve an extra 25 mill levy for odd and bridge purposes as outlined above, an additional $96,116 could be raised, which added to the $65,348 would amount to $161,464. PHH :claw Yours very truly, Luther 1M. S tal land Le.w OPFIOEs LUTHER M. STALLAND SUITE 2340, RAND TOWER MINNEAPor.IS 2, MINNESOTA PAIIL H. HAIIOE of eta Saps SMM m s lialustia Comity St. Paul, Miseassota 55111 )lay 9, 1966 tits Visemcial Operation I am herewith a mcleeiag espies of the audited financial statement for the fiscal year of Seem TOM1064 max' h 1, 1966 and c letter of rocas- vendsttas from the accountings, .Aiawam-alarm b Co. I have reviewed the statements and the recommemdatieme Frith which I conzure. I. lime with this I sithe .meet that it weld be eei1 for the Town Treasurer, taws Clerk nod fie. West to get together and go over thecae Yeeomimse'4etiess to seer what is the snot feasible aed practical approach for future record ke s tag amid financial operettas. Following this the Treasurer and Clerk should make their reccseeebdatian to the Board as to whet procedure, they have agree* raper to follow, whereupon, the Board by resolutian could inplament this. At thlc titre 1 would also like to suggest that the Beard cemsider the pux chose or lease of a copy machine for the town hall. We are finding that the copy mmohime we have in my office is really inadequate for all the manorial heist acted by various members of the Seerd, planning committee, ettermaps, or a►ppli`-e tee, etc. 1 feel that LA the lam run this would be a arises to the township sod relieve op office of a con- sUiglcable burdas. there are many :ropy machines on the market and I fibber sesseet that this should be looked into carefully before deciding as spy priticular um hire. Tours very truly, tier ti. 'Welland LAW OFFICES LUTHER M. STALLAND SUITE 2340, RAND TOWER MINNEAPOLIS 2, MINNESOTA PAUL IL IIAUoE Mr. Arthur F. Rahn, Chairman Board of Supervisors Eagan Township, Dakota County Dear Sir: June 29, 1964 Re: Township Sewer Systems The question has arisen concerning the methods available for the Town of Eagan to install sewers in the township. I am simply outlining the law on this subject for your information. FE 8-8361 As to financing the sewer installation, the power is granted under the local improvements chapter, M.S.A. 429 to assess the property owners abutting upon the streets in which the sewers are installed. (See 429.021 Subd. 2). The Town having village powers under 368.01 and 429.011 may install the sewer system financed by special assessments but cannot acquire by purchase or eminent domain lands to serve as a basin or sump for the disposition of surface waters. (0.A.G. 387- G 1 Feb. 6, 1956). However, under 368.01 the town would have the power of eminent domain to acquire by condemnation easements for trunk sewers and water lines. (0.A.G. 434-A-6 March 30, 1962). The method of financing the improvements under the local improvements chapter would logically be accomplished by a bond issue pursuant to M.S.A. 475. Another method became available under the so-called Rosenmaier Bill during the 1963 legislature. (Chap. 115.41, et seq). Section 115.50 gives a township "the power and authority to construct, install, acquire, maintain and operate disposal systems and parts thereof, and to levy taxes, and special assessments, to issue bonds and to do all other things necessary or convenient for such construction, installation, acquisition, maintenance and operation in the same manner and extent and subject to the same limitations as villages." The Attorney General has taken the view that this section authorizes a township to finance a sewer system by means of a bond issue payable from general tax revenue funds or from taxes levied on property throughout the township. By this is meant that bonds issued would become an obligation of the entire township and are payable from the general tax revenue rather than from special assessments on the property benefited. The special assessment method is, however, also available under the Rosenmaier Bill. • LAW OFFICES HAROLD LEVANDER ARTHUR GILLEN ROGER C. MILLER DAVID DURENBERGER LEVANDER, GILLEN & MILLER 200 GRAND BUILDING South St. Paul, Minnesota PHONE GLENVIEW 1-1815 July 8, 1960 Mr. Arthur Rahn Chairman Egan Township Board Route 1 St. Paul 11, Minn. Dear Mr. Rahn: Our firm represents Mr. Victor Karg, Route 1, St. Paul 11, and the U-Haul Company of North Dakota in a prospective real estate transaction involving Mr. Karg's property in Egan Township. The property involved is legally descried as follows: Lot One (1), except the Southeasterly One Hundred (100) feet thereof, and Lot Two (2), Loren Place, according to the plat thereof now on file and of record in the office of the Register of Deeds within and for Dakota County, Minnesota. The property is located in Sectia0 13, Township 27, Range 23, on the East side of T. H. 49 and just North of the junction of County 18A and the old KSTP site. The prospective purchasers - U-Haul Company - is in the business of renting trailers for use in hauling by automobile. They propose to use this property as a storage, assembly, disassembly and repair area for their trailers and would eventually erect a building or buildings to house their equipment. I might mention that these are not house trailers, but the type used to haul household belongings etc. It is our understanding that the property is at present agricultural and we would respectfully request that the Township Board zone the property in question commercial if that is necessary for the operations which U-Haul proposes. Yours very truly, LeVANDER, GILLEN & MILLER DD:mr BY: G,4 bJz BRIDGING THE GAP: FROM COUNTRY TOWN O'SPRAWLING SUBURB City focuses on fiscal impact of future maturity By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Eagan's development boom has begun to decline, dragging down with it non -tax revenue paid to the city through permits and fees. Fortunately, the city's ability to collect taxes has steadily risen to offset any decrease in non -tax revenue. The city's tax capacity has risen in response to increas- es in individual property values and from new community devel- opment. That has helped fill the void left by a drop in non -tax rev- enue. Non -tax revenue accounts for 21 percent (or $3.2 million) of the proposed 1996 budget, said Gene VanOverbeke, Eagan's finance director. About $1 million of that is related to community develop- ment. The City Council has pro- posed no tax rate increase for 1996. Residents may still see city tax increases, though, due to increases in their property val- ues. Some residents are report- ing 6 percent to 8 percent in- creases due to raised property values. Property values are set by the county. A truth in taxation hearing was scheduled for Dec. 5, giving residents an opportunity to com- ment or question their property taxes. The council certified a $12.6 million tax levy in August. That amount could be decreased but not increased, when the council gives its final approval Dec. 19. Besides a shift in where rev- enue is raised, there is a shift in where funds will be needed in the future. As the city nears its development maturity, focus turns toward reconstruction pro- jects in the city's older neighbor- hoods. For example, in 1990 a non - tax storm -water drainage fee was started to earn revenue for building and operating drainage systems for water runoff. Prior to 1990, funds for such projects were taken from the general tax levy, said VanOver- beke. By charging a fee, as op- posed to using tax dollars, the expenditure is more in line with other utility charges, such as water and sanitary sewer fees. Fees are based on single fam- ily units known as residential equivalency factors (REFs). A business with a large parking lot would be equal to several REFs. Since 1990, the storm -water drainage fee has increased from $4.56 per REF to $5.25. Besides taxes and fees, anoth- er source of revenue for the city is the Community Investment Fund. This fund is money the city earned by investing idle in- come from special assessments, said VanOverbeke. For example, the city purchased bonds to build roads and utilities. As residents paid their assessments, the city used enough money to pay the first bond installment and put the rest in short-term invest- ments. "We made considerable money," said VanOverbeke. City policy dictates that com- munity investment funds be used for projects that benefit a majority of the community. Some of the money has been used to build the new Civic Cen- ter Arena and for expansion of municipal offices. The balance in the community investment fund will be about $3.5 million after paying off the Municipal Center obligations, VanOverbeke said. Eagan levy approved Aside from a letter from a "That's been a concern of citizen concerned with the ours for some time," he said. Because of a decrease of .7 relatively short time between rcent in the city' the truth -in -taxation hearing petax- acity rate from 1995 to d the date the levy and 1996, residents will see a slight decrease in the cify's portion of their taxes if the market value of their homes remained the same. able The city 's levy, pay 1996, was set at just over $12.6 million. A proposed levy of $11,792 for the Cedarvale spe- ial service district also wa= must be passed, little budget was said about the Eagan budget and levy Dec. 19. Both the levy and the 1996 general fund budget and enter- prise budgets were unani- mously approved. Though no changes were necessary, City Administrator Tom Hedges said the city un- the citizen's con- certified in the resolution ap derstands by the c;vuu�==• cern, especially if there were a proved_Brenda gauge time when several changes in the budget were needed. County Tax Valuations//'k` Increase $31.6 Million (Charts page,7A) By LEA GUENTHER Staff Writer . An increase of $37.6 million is seen on Dakota County taxable valuations from 1978 to 1979, ac- cording to figures released by Carl Onischuk, county auditor The previous year the increase was $23.2 million. Valuations increased in 25 municipalities, with the greatest increases shown in Apple Valley and Burnsville. Eight munici- palities have decreased valua- tions. They are Coates, Green- vale Township, Hampton, '',ilydale, Mendota Heights, Ran- iolph, South St. Paul and Ver-. nillion. The total 1979 county valua- ions are $746,508,069; 1978 valua- ions were $708,843,948, and 1977 valuations were $683,562,945. Mill rates dropped in 17 nunicipalities and were raised in 6. Last year the mill rates drop- )ed in only 12 municipalities. Mendota Heights, with a mill rate of 34.165, up from 16.890 last year, has the highest rate in the ounty. South St. Paul dropped from first place to second, Hastings dropped from second to .hird, and urban Farmington cropped from. third place to 'ourth. Other municipalities ranking in he top 10 mill rates are Rose- nount, fifth; Apple Valley, sixth; Vest St. Paul, seventh; Burns. Mlle, eighth; Lakeville, ninth; nd Sunfish Lake, loth. At the bottom end of the scale. ;astle Rock Township again ha: he sma•lle§t mill rate, which [topped to 1.894. Nininger Town - hip is again in second place anc (See Valuations, Page 7A) personnel tut L11C11 C11u1 L Lu 111a111Lau. set forth in preparation of meals. The housekeeping personnel is to be commended and if we may put it this way, they are everlasting cleaning. We certainly are aware of the engineering depart- ment and personnel in this cold weather. They have kept the facility very comfortable. I have not had the opportunity to meet the administrator of this com- munity facility and certainly the function so displayed didn't tell the rest of the council what he was doing bef re the meeting. Garrison said was anticipating future problems and looking for clarification of�:tihat would work within the communi- ty development department. Ms. Savanick said Garrison had been talking to staff before talking to the council. Mrs. —itzsimmons told Garrison she as "deeply resentful" of what iok place the past week. She lid any reorganization of the ci- starts with the council. Garrison responded that the ouncil has been run covertly over the telephone" in the past. [e said he wants his actions done in the open." He said past ctions have looked bad in the ress because of behind-the- r!enes actions. Ms. Savanick said the bad pre- 3 is that the council is not seen s united. Mrs. Fitzsimmons said arrision "hit us with a sledge ammer," and that he (Gar- sion) is "sending one of the nest public servants down the ibes." Elaborating, she said the nployee is John Gretz. "He 'ver complained to the council lout what Garrision was doing, it the council learned about it in "round about way," she said. Garrison protested he did not el there was a problem in the inning department and it was t his intent to slight the com- unity development depart- �nt. VIs. Savanick asked Garrison if felt Voss resigned for political sons and not those he stated at it time. Garrison responded in affirmative and said he was clear 'on what the planning isultant's role was and wanted larified. • 4rs. Fitzsimmons admonished rrision to bring such a concern as an agenda item before talk - with staff. Garrison asked if is supposed to "make four me calls" (to council mem- s) before asking staff "how to -k with the situation." 'ouncil member Dianne Kelly eyed her interpretation of -rison's activities, saying that felt he was doing research on I n s tl of rr • J T F S C I r 1 NTY T.. IBUNE PAGE 7A i TAXABLE VALUATIONS, TAX RATES AND LEVIES CITIES AND TOWNSHIPS, DAKOTA COUNTY 1978 1979 VALUATIONS MILL RATE LEVY AMOUNT VALUATIONS MILL RATE LEVY AMOUNT Apple Valley 57,271,721 19.786 1,126,725 63,008,597 20.138 1,316,908 Burnsville 165,173,914 18.800 3,103,323 182,103,387 18.576 3,451,408 Castle Rock 4,670,153 2.137 10,000 5,141,064 1.894 10,000 Coates 710,760 10.378 7,355 695,473 11.422 8,232 Douglas 2,988,807 6.187 18,500 3,368,486 6.014 20,500 Fagan 90,040,086 11.603 1,043,388 93,798,026 13.064 1,248,098 Empire 4,893,043 5.147 25,222 5,181,141 4.743 25,173 Eureka 5,574,179 4.039 22,500 6,216,911 4.133 26,000 Farmington (Rural) 820,419 19.026 15,879 922,838 15.569 14,886 (Urban) 12,742,481 27.219 347,488 12,988,864 26.906 365,887 Greenvale 3,204,848 4.496 14,333 3,554,793 2.193 8,000 Hampton Township 3,267,474 4.282 14,000 3,656,073 4.866 18,000 Hampton 866,236 14.489 12,670 862,933 13.250 12,375 Hastings 34,180,068 28.115 960,630 34,657,830 28.219 1,046,840 Inver Grove Heights 56,247,139 14.801 831,269 56,949,853 15.399 913,546 Lakeville 39,725,681 18.208 724,711 42,379,863 18.167 802,089 Lilydale 4,430,231 7.909 35,000 4,232,568 11.490 48,800 Marshan 5,541,701 6.815 37,770 6,020,114 7.644 47,004 Mendota 36,413,270 15.961 580,700 38,323,287 15.130 590,700 Mendota Heights 715,859 16.890 12,075 713,216 34.165 25,000 Miesville 600,117 4.583 2,750 608,278 4.366 2,750 New Trier 182,826 9.858 1,750 159,897 11.021 2,250 Nininger 2,829,121 2.267 6,415 3,001,473 1.950 6,000 Randolph Township 1,808,500 5.530 10,000 1,967,403 7.563 15,000 Randolph 685,667 11.334 7,700 640,738 11.784 8,500 Ravenna 4,046,356 3.838 15,523 4,419,544 3.248 14,971 Rosemount 21,918,431 23.058 504,987 23,768,288 22.171 537,815 Sciota 1,340,123 6.351 8,500 1,481,242 6.684 10,000 South St. Paul 65,513,102 27.430 1,785,575 63,627,939 29.884 1,993,275 Sunfish Lake 2,440,796 8.336 20,350 2,519,602 15.992 40,450 Vermillion Township 4,159,723 5.281 22,053 4,553,405 4.651 21,516 Vermillion 1,006,484 8.498 8,503 964,326 35.296 15,321 Waterford 2,073,409 2.410 5,000 2,263,663 2.168 5,000 West St. Paul 70,761,223 20.114 1,421,838 71,756,954 19.952 1,478,469 SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS IN DAKOTA COUNTY LEVY FOR METRO COUNCIL MILL RATE .26 .77 .47 .508 .446 .457 YEAR 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Apple Valley 8,320.96 29,145.49 21,496.22 26,430.38 23,195.05 29,578.00 Burnsville 30,238.61 96,896.57 68,503.86 79,343.14 66,895.44 85,485.00 Castle Rock 776.43 2,415.32 1,760.75 2,188.15 1,891.41 2,413.00 Coates 98.62 317.55 221.23 309.40 287.86 326.00 Douglas 528.32 1,650.04 1,172.86 1,438.62 1,210.47 1,581.00 Eagan 15,501.66 49,004.69 36,537.61 44,460.25 36,466.23 44,032.00 Empire 866.65 2,696.52 1,911.91 2,272.06 1,981.68 2,432.00 Eureka 955.92 3,089.11 2,191.39 2,664.35 2,257.54 2,918.00 Farmington 2,452.63 7,804.78 5,641.26 6,540.19 5,492.97 6,531.00 Greenvale 591.24 1,839.71 1,286.05 1,554.83 1,297.96 1,669.00 Hampton Twp. 574.39 1,802.24 1,293.10 1,554.27 1,323.33 1,716.00 Hampton City 173.90 548.39 365.35 433.57 350.83 405.00 Hastings 6,036.27 20,411.66 14,185.98 16,874.43 13,842.93 16,243.00 Inver Grove Heights 11,039.67 32,942.79 22,650.40 27,291.11 22,780.09 26,734.00 Lakeville 6,673.88 22,551.67 16,023.39 18,808.97 16,088.90 19,894.00 Lilydale 333.66 1,409.89 2,031.54 2,399.55 1,794.24 1,987.00 Marshan 971.72 3,069.76 2,235.54 2,783.29 2,244.39 2,826.00 Mendota 156.02 481.95 328.53 374.41 289.92 17,990.00 Mendota Heights 7,189.65 23,170.62 15,850.34 18,215.47 14,747.37 335.00 Miesville 115.60 354.30 242.18 304.45 243.05 286.00 New Trier 20.36 97.59 71.02 97.16 74.04 75.00 Nininger 506.52 1,593.10 1,156.00 1,392.17 1,145.79 1,409.00 Randolph Twp. 360.13 1,112.04 770.08 922.47 732.44 924.00 Randolph City 119.79 427.86 297.49 338.11 277.70 301.00 Ravenna 465.17 1,921.63 1,547.33 2,022.17 1,638.77 2,075.00 Rosemount 4,038.33 13,210.43 8,852.93 10,745.72 8,876.96 11,157.00 Sciota 247.76 753.60 538.64 652.80 542.75 695.00 South St. Paul 13,756.94 44,453.51 30,078.41 34,794.64 25,720.32 29,868.00 Sunfish Lake 464.24 1,482.34 1,041.10 1,243.36 988.52 1,183.00 Vermillion Twp. 689.40 2,164.94 1,579.32 1,957.66 1,684.69 2,137.00 Vermillion City 154.99 508.99 367.95 500.02 407.63 453.00 Waterford 374.21 1,184.49 838.15 1,013.21 839.73 1,063.00 West St. Paul 14,001.78 43,631.85 30,234.67 35,329.61 28,658.30 33,684.00 Total 128,795.42 414,145.42 293,302.58 347,249.99 286,269.30 350.405.00 VALUATIONS ... (Continued from Front Page) Waterford Township is again in third place. Others with low rates are Greenvale Township, fourth; Ravenna Township, fifth; Eureka Township, sixth; Mies- ville, seventh; Vermillion Town- ship, eighth; Empire Township, ninth; and Hampton Township, 10th.. The highest school district mill rate is again in District 6, South St. Paul, with 68.530 mills. District 196, Rosemount, is se- cond with 63.775 mills. District 195, Randolph, is thirc high; District 192, Farmington fourth; District 194, Lakeville fifth; District 659, Northfield sixth; District 200, Hastings, seventh; District 191, Burnsville, eighth; District 252, Cannon Falls, ninth; and District 199, In- ver Grove Heights, loth. The lowest school district mill rate is again District 197, West St. Paul, with 52.227 mills. A homeowner may compute his property tax total by adding the appropriate city or township, school district and metropolitan milt rates. This figure is then multiplied by the assessed valua- tion for that specific property. Metropolitan levies for 1979 are: Metropolitan Council 457 Mosquito Control 236 Transit Area (no buses).. 166 Transit Area ( buses) 2 269 PAGE 8A DAKO'A COI. PUBLIC NOTICES Apple Valley Legals .. . PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley„ Dakota County. Minnesota, will meet on Wednesday. February 17th. 1979, at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at the City Hall for the purpose of holding a public hearing on a petition for a planned development in- cluding a rezoning from B-1 to M-4 (P.D. ) as hereinafter described. Said hearing relates to property located south of Upper 146th Street and west of Garrett Avenue legally described as follows: That part of the South Half (S 1) of the Northwest Quarter (NW ' of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section 27, Township' 115 North, Range 20 West, Dakota County, Minnesota, described as beginning al the southeast corner of Valley South ac- cording to the plat thereof on file and of record in the Office of the Dakota County Recorder; thence south 0 00' 45" east, assumed baring, along the east line of said South Half (S 'h) of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) 340.99 feet to the south line of said Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4 ; thence south S9' 47' 22" west along said south line of Northwest Quarter (NW 1/41 of the Southwest Quarter SW 1/41 653.4E feet to a point distant 690.00 feet easterly from the southwest corner of said Northwest Quarter (NW U4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW (/4); thence north 0 03' 30" east parallel with the west line of said Northwest Quarter , (NW 1/41 of the Southwest Quarter (SW t/4 1371.00 feet to the south line of said Valley South; thence easterly along said south line of Valley South to the point of beginning. NOTICE is further given that these pro- ceedings are instituted upon the petition of Valley South Development Corpora- tion. All interested parties will be afforded an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. DATED this 1Sth day of January, 1979. MARY E. MUELLER Apple Valley Deputy City Clerk 37 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED REZONING AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IN THE CITY OF APPLE VALLEY, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Apple Valley. Dakota County, Minnesota, will meet on Wednesday, February 7th, 1979, at 7:15 o'clock p.m. at the City Hall for the purpose of holding a public hearing on a petition for rezoning from B-4 to B-1 and for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a private club in 5 B-1 zone as hereinafter described. Said hearing relates to properly located east of Pennock Avenue and south of 147th Street described as follows: Part of Lots I and 2 of Block 1 in Valley Commercial Park First Addi- tion according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the Office of the Dakota County Recorder. NOTICE is further given That these pro- ceedings are instituted upon the petition of Paul J. Anderson and Apple Valley American Legion Post 1776 All interested parties will be afforded an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. DATED this 13th day of January, 1979. MARY E. MUELLER Apple Valley Deputy City Clerk 33 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF BRITTANY ESTATES, INC. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that pursuant 10 Minnesota Statutes An- notated, Section 301.06(3). BRITTANY ESTATES, INC., a Minnesota corpora- tion, was incorporated on the 15th day of • January, 1979; that its registered office is 13816 Holyoke Lane, Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota 55124; that the ' name and address of its incorporator is: Carl R. Tollefson, 13916 Holyoke Lane, Apple Valley. Dakota County, Minnesota 55124. That the names and addresses of its first Board of Directors are: Carl R. Tollefson, 13916 Holyoke Lane. Apple Valley, MN 55124 Christine M. Tollefson, 13316 Holyoke Lane, Apple Valley, MN 55124 That the general nature of its business shall be general business purposes and shall have unlimited power to engage in, and to do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful businesses for which cor- porations may be organized under said laws. is; GEORGE H. HOEY Attorney n.r BRITTANY ESTATES, INC. 390S Sibley,Memorial Highway Eagan, Minnesota 55122 5:3 Burnsville Legals .. . PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF' HAFSTAD AND ASSOCIATES, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN. Pursuant to Section 301.06 of the Min- nesota Statutes, that on the 10th day of January, - 1979, a corporation was in- corporated under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act and named Hafstad and Associates, Inc. The corporation shall have general business purposes. The ad- dress of its registered office is 13716 East Wellington Crescent, Burnsville, Min- nesota, 55337. The name and address of the first direc- tor is: Wallace L. Hafstad. 13716 East Wellington Crescent, Burnsville, Min- nesota, 55337. The name and address of the in- corporator is: Kenneth P. Ketcham, 1456 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan, Minnesota, 55121. KETCHAM AND REGIS. ATTORNEYS By: KENNETH P. KETCHAM Attorney at Law 1456 Yankee Doodle Road Eagan. MN 55121 4612)454-6931 36 PUBLIC NOTICE CERTIFICATE OF BUSINESS NAME STATE OF MINNESOTA ) _ . COUNTY OF DAKOTA )ss I. the undersigned, hereby certify that I am one of the persons who conduct and transact a commercial business at the City of Burnsville in the County of Dakota. State of Minnesota. under the name and style of Happe Properties that the full and true individual name of each and every person who is in any way in- terested in said business under said name, together with the post office ad- dress of each of them is as follows. to -wit: Dale J. Happe. 1005 Fremont Place. Burnsville. MN 55337 Gene F. Happe, 2909 Wood Trail South. Burnsville, MN 55337 Happe Properties' Principal place of business is: ' 151 West Burnsville Parkway. Burnsville, Mn 55337 I) ALE J. HAPPE STATEOFMINNESOTA )ss COUNTY OF RAMSEY On this 6th day of December, 197S, before me personally appeared Dale J. Happe to me known to be the person who made and signed the foregoing certificate, and acknowledged that he ex- ecuted the same as his own free act and deed. PETER H. SEED Notary Public • Washington County, Minnesota My commission expires Aug. 9, 1935 43 4S-49 PUBLIC NOTICE SURVEY CREW CHIEF ENGINEERING AIDE - LEVEL III CITY OF BURNSVILLE OPENING AND CLOSING DATE FOR TAKING APPLICATIONS: Thursday, January 25, 1979 a( 7:30 a.m. through Mon- day, February 5, 1979 at 4:00 p.m. SALARY RANGE: $1,230/mo.-$1,550/mo. WORK WEEK: 40 hrs. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Job description available. EXPERIENCE: Municipal survey crew experience desirable. EDUCATION: Graduate of Technical- Vocational School or equivalent experience RESIDENCE: No residency requirement. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: According to State Law. EXAMINATION: Oral Interview Only. APPLY TO: Personnel Director, City of Burnsville, 1313 East Highway 13, Burn- sville, Minnesota 55337, Phone: 890-4100. 57 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a Continued Public Hearine win PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing will be held on February 5. 1979 at 7:45 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the applicant can be heard. by the Burnsville City Council at the City Hall, 1313 East Highway 13, on the ap- plication of Home Federal Savings for a Conditional Use Permit for a temporary financial facility while the main facility is under construction to be located in the northwest quadrant of County Road 42 and Aldrich Avenue. All persons desiring to be heard on this item will be heard at this time. LESLIE J.'ANDERSON, Clerk City of Burnsville 66 48-49 PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing will be held on February 5, 1979 at 7:45 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the applicant can be heard, by the Burnsville City Council at the City Hall, 1313 East Highway 13. on the ap- plication for a preliminary plat in I.akeville gaining its access through Burnsville in the Et/z of the NE1/4 of the NE1/4. Section 1, Township 114. Range 21...more generally, south of 158th Street. All those desiring to be heard on this item will be heard at this time. LESLIE J. ANDERSON. Clerk City of Burnsville 61 4S-49 PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing will be held on February 5. 1979 at 7:45 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the applicant can be heard, by the Burnsville City Council at the City Hall, 1313 East Highway 13, on the peti- tion to vacate Parc Drive in Ville du Parc Second Addition from the easterly right- of-way of Ranier Court extended south, southeasterly to Outlot A except for an easement for watermain. Reason for said vacation is that the street has never been improved and due to Interstate 35E right- of-way taking it has been determined that said street will not be constructed. All those desiring to be heard on this item will be heard at this time. LESLIE J. ANDERSON, Clerk City of Burnsville 63 49-49 Dakota County Legals . . . PUBLIC NOTICE DAKOTA COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT HASTINGS, MINNESOTA Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Board of County Commissioners of Dakota County, in the Auditor's Office at Hastings, Minnesota until 10:00 A.M.• February 7, 1979 for the following: Motor Grader and Snow Plow Cutting Edges Corrugated Metal Culverts Bituminous Materials 1979 Weed Spraying Crushing and Stockpiling Gravel Sign Shop Material Sign Blanks Sign Posts Traffic Signal Equipment Radio Maintenance Contract Two Tandem Axle Trucks with Snow Plow Equipment Detailed specifications covering the re- quirements for construction will be furnished by the County Engineer's Of• fice at Hastings. Minnesota. Cost of Plans: 0. CARL D. ONISCHUK Co. Auditor 46-4S 2:30 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE FOR BIDS One (1 I New Lawn Tractor and Mower Highway 55, Eagan, Minnesota 5a121. The names and addresses of t.te first Board of Directors are as follows: Arthur J. Haehnel, 3285 Highway 55. Eagan, Minnesota Jacqueline A. Haehnel, 3235 Highway 55. Eagan, Minnesota The name and address of the in• corporator is as follows: Thomas W. Pugh. S33 Southview Boulevard, South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075 DATED this 17th day of January. 1979. THUET & LYNCH Attorneys for Corporatiot 333 Southview Boulevard South St. Paul. Minnesot, 55075 42 Farmington Legals .. . PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the CH! Council of the City of Farmington Dakota County, Minnesota, will,! hold public hearing on February 19, "1979, a S:00 o'clock P.M. in the Council Cham bers of the Municipal Building, 325 Oal Street, Farmington, Minnesota, to con sider the proposed improvement consist ing of the installation of sanitary sewer trunk and lateral lines, water trunks am laterals, storm sewer trunks and laterals blacktop streets with curb and gutter, thi acquisition of lands for street purposes and the acquisition of necessary ease ments to implement the overall general improvement, the estimated cost of said improvement being 91,200,000.00 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars.) The area proposed to be assessed con sists of the following described lands situated within the corporate limits of the City of Farmington, Dakota County, Min• nesota, 10 wit: 1. The Southwest Quarter of Section 13, Township 114 North, Range 20 West 2. The Southeast Quarter of Section 14, Township 114 North, Range 20 West 3. The Northeast Quarter of Section 23, Township 114 North, Range 20 West 4. The Northwest Quarter of Section 24, Township 114 North, Range 20 West All persons desiring to be heard. whether in person or in writing, shall be heard at this time. WILLIAM J. FORD City Administrator 15 47-48 PUBLIC NOTICE • CITY OF FARMINGTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the City Planning Commission of the City of Farmington, Dakota County, Minnesota, on the 20th day of Feb., 1979, at 9:00 p.m. in the coun- cil chambers of the Civic Center, 325 Oak Street, Farmington, Minnesota for the purpose of: Considering the request of P. H. Feely & Son, Inc., 420 2nd St. for a height variance of from 45' to 100' to permit the erection of a grain leg to serve existing grain storage bins. This action taken in accordance with Title 2 Chapter 4 of the City Code. All persons desiring to be heard, in person or in writing. will be heard at this time. WILLIAM J. FORD City Administrator City of Farmington 49 Lakeville Legals .. . r$1 IIPsE I# " -- PUBLIC NOTICE ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN I TWO POSITIONS CITY OF BURNSVILLE OPENING AND CLOSING DATE FOR TAKING APPLICATIONS: Thursday, January 25, 1979 at 7:30 a.m. through Mon- day, February 5, 1979 at 4:00 p.m. SAI-ARV unn*nr. --- DEC— 2 — 9 G M O N 1 0= WL L A C E G R O U P P_ 0 9 STAR 'TRIBUNE • I'AGE 1)3 TODAY'S BUSINESS BRIEFING WE DNESDAY, N()VEM13ER 27. 1996 Briefs titltnd,lyd & Poor's h is as- signed its douhlc-A-nti- nus rating to the city of Eagan's series 1996A and 19f)tili general obligation bonds, and series 1996C general obligation re- funding bonds. The rat- ing agency also affltxned its double -A -minus rat• log cm the city's out• standing general obliga- lien bends. I. Sled Dogs Co., St. Paul, said tllul it has resolved supply problems (hat de- pressed first-tlualler re- sults and that first-half net sales should be sig- nificantly ahead of the $117ti,33O reported for the first six months of fiscal 1f1!)ti, > Norwest Gurporatlon s $200 million 6.55 percent 1ned !tft-term notes, ma- iming Dec, I, 2006, arc ratted double-A•plus by Itch Investors Service). It'f W Inc„ 131oonlin'ton, said that its wholly owned subsidiary, Anmr- It'4111 insurance CoInpen- sullen Co„ has been li- censed to write workers' compensation insurance in Mtissachusetls. lt'I'W snit} it plans to open a I,iostut) office in the sec- ond quarter of 1997, SAINT I'Atll PION I'I'it I' l•S i SAT IlltDAY, NOVI'.Mt11?It ,t11, 1996 REGION BRIEFING Ratitigs H.B. Fuller Co., St. Paul, was raised to medium -term "buy" ' from medium -term "accumulate" by analyst Karen Gtlsenan at Mer- rill Lynch. The long-range rating was also raised to 'buy" from 'ac- cumulate," and the stock was named a "focus 1 selection," Michael Foods In St, Louis Park was reiterated "buy" by analyst John McMillin at Prudential Secu- rities, with a price target of $15 a share.... Minneapolis -based Nor - west's $200 million 6.55 percent medium -term notes, maturing Dec. 1, 2006, were rated AA+ by Pitch investors Service, reflecting "the diversity of Nor•wcst's opera- tions, particularly the size and strength of its nonbank subsidiar- ics, and its conservative operating philosophy." . Standard & Poor's assigned its AA- rating for the city of Eagan's general obligation bonds series 1996A, series 1996B, and general obligation refunding bonds series 1996C, S&P affirmed its AA- rating on the city's out- standing G.O. bonds. The rating reflects "strong growth in the tax base, above -average wealth and income indicators, a favorable lo- cation within the vibrant Minneap- olis -St. Paul economy, and contin- ued sound financial management." 6123413703 12-02-96 11:43AM P009 #10 0 10 0 a) 6 4, >, o ).0o [ � C O 5 y , o'F3 hvcy 8 aa) w 0 of C �5 b pF 940 npE'• E. °`i' ►7e,C^C 0 0cc) O o' o Q '" Z O 1.. [ O a) 0 o WO 'O �� Oo 4, E�0 Tu �p a• c2ho [c No.c s0,a,- 3Q°'I. po d x +' .0 O C� -• 0 o •y '3 "V d o a,3 .o U o 0 0 .. ... q+' + 5o5 oa0og- O•" c b g hv0 0 ccw +> Vs S��,..800 °�cnqE.2CVq 4) Cc apO "co — oo yy n V'CIO o, n) o 4) nA o I., ° *•ti .0 6� c )� t 9 •E c+ cd wo> c0i 0 p y C..."c-.�O uo b aS o o F. co O a) 0 -' O 0> O .., O N J ��u v co pO a) o y 0 0 cu m �Le l) O a q y ">, �"' O Cd y 0 C� '9 •..g 8 ... . V. FO..y ..a C ,N O U v 0 0.5:0 G `d y CV r: w 6. Cr' �' 0 .4 2 E o Q 2 0p 0 o 0. 6 eft ai e..� +� d'o"mow �' cco ,o a~i ❑ v yii-cr. v �' i5 d— s." o a) 0 i. yam.. �{ 0 • (i p�p . . 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Property tax bills, the city's portion at least, are expected to remain exactly the same as last year. City expenses went up by about 4.5 percent but Eagan res- idents will be paying the same because of state tax contribu- tions over which the city has no control. The proposed 1995 budget is $14,043,500, or about $609,000 more than 1994. But because the city's expenditure for its fiscal disparity share is smaller this year, taxes will remain the same. Fiscal disparity refers to the amount of taxes Eagan must give up to other Minnesota cities with smaller tax bases, to promote eq- uity. All that means for taxpayers is that after going up for a num- ber of years, Eagan taxes are ap- BUDGET: To page 14A' 14A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan surreurrent/Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1994 Budget: New construction is not part of propos City of Eagan Propos 1995 Budget From Page lA pearing to level off. Most of the 4.5 percent budget increase is due to added person- nel including two new police offi- cers and three other positions needed to serve the growing pop-. 16gineered ForTeRimyYou Ride t $ OO WSKI-D0ORTH0 OF ACCESSORIES FREE ulation, said Eagan City Admin- istrator Tom Hedges. "We're very labor intensive," said Hedges. "Local government is service delivery, and most of our service is labor, like police of- ficers and street maintenance workers." ■ WITH THE PURCHASE OF A SKI-DOO DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. DON'T WAIT, ' SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. ONLY SKI-D00 IS ENGINE9iED FOR THE WAY YOU RIDE. 1 LCHEROKEE 1/1/ BROOKLYN PARK 535-7164 LAKEVILLE 892-6668j eta — — — — — — a>, mom mmm cirri cirri COMPANY COMINQ? $69* Treat your weekend visitors -or yourself -to the comfort and convenience of the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth. Shop at Ridgedale Mall. Swim in our indoor pool. Enjoy fine dining in our Creekside Cafe. And hill use of Fitness Center facilities including indoor pool, racquetball, weight room, whirlpool and sauna. All for a rate that's c,,.++ricinnly Affordable. • i If the council makes no changes to the budget, a resident with an $100,000 home will pay $284, a resident with a $150,000 home will pay $505, and a resi- dent with a $250,000 home will pay $948. Hedges said an average home- owner might be paying about $9 a month for police and fire ser- vice, about $4 a month for street repair and snow removal, and about $3 a month for parks and recreation services. Some of the changes in this year's budget include: For the 11rsi Liuie in iteveral years, a 13 percent increase in the mayor's and city council's salaries. * A 14 percent drop in the legal fees budget to $315,800, due to changes in the city's attor- neys payment structure. * Five -and -a -half new employ- ees needed to serve the growing population. * An almost 6-percent in- crease in the parks and recre- ation budget, accompanied by an increase in revenues that act to negate the change. Net tax capacity — the value of all property — is up from about $56 million to $59 million, due to development and growth. About half the total property taxes collected in Eagan come from home and apartment own- ers, and the other half comes from industrial, commercial, utility and agricultural tax sources. Added to the budget is a $199,200 contingency fund that will be available in case of emer- gency, such as if the state doesn't come through with its share of payments, so the city won't have werkarS said • Total budget equals $14,242,700 • Numbers are rounded • General govemment includes: Mayor and c administration, legal, community developmer cable TV expenses. comes from the independent Community Investment Fund. That fund was set up in the 1970s, during an early stage of Eagan's growth. At the time, the city sold municipal bonds to com- plete street, utility and other in - money for capital in. that would benefit tl rather than spending thing that would bE handful of residents, idential street projec Residents will be Most oI the 4.0 percent uuuge,. increase is due to added person- nel including two new pvli.ce otli- ners and three other positions needed to serve the growing pop-. srMoo. Engineers/ Fat TIN Way Tee IMc $. 3 0 0 OOWORThOF SKI-D00 CLOTHING OR ACCESSORIES FREEWITH THE PURC►IASE OF A SKI-D00 DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. DON'T WAIT, I SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. ONLY SKI-D00 IS ENGINEERED FOR THE WAY YOU RIDE. ' .CHEROKEE /1/ BROOKLYN PARK 535-7164 LAKEVILLE 892-6668 I En - ! - - tom. - - I - - - - is service delivery, and most of our service is labor, like police of- ficers and street maintenance workers." COMPANY COMING? $69* mail tilMb... III III it Treat your weekend visitors --or yourself -to the comfort and convenience of the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth. Shop at Zidgedale Mall. Swim in our indoor pool. Enjoy fine dining, in our Creekside Cafe. And full use of Fitness Center facilities including indoor pool, racquetball, weight room, whirlpool and sauna. All for a rate that's surprisingly affordable. 'Tan. not 'included. Limited rooms available at this rote. Offer not applicable to d' up. coupon o' other discounted rates. Present this ad upon checkiin. Based :•oon onc,warlity. • RESERVATIONS WORLDWIDE 800-333-3333 CA CAI +an„,A,� 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN • 559-6600 home will pay $505, and a resi- dent with a $250,000 home will pay $948. Hedges said an average home- owner might be paying about $9 a month for police and fire ser- vice, about $4 a month for street repair and snow removal, and about $3 a month for parks and recreation services. Some of the changes in this year's budget include: * For the first time in several years, a 13 percent increase in the mayor's and city council's salaries. * A 14 percent drop in the legal fees budget to $315,800, due to changes in the city's attor- neys payment structure. * Five -and -a -half new employ- ees needed to serve the growing population. * An almost 6-percent in- crease in the parks and recre- ation budget, accompanied by an increase in revenues that act to negate the change. Net tax capacity — the value of all property — is up from about $56 million to $59 million, due to development and growth. About half the total property taxes collected in Eagan come from home and apartment own- ers, and the other half comes from industrial, commercial, utility and agricultural tax sources. Added to the budget is a $199,200 contingency fund that will be available in case of emer- gency, such as if the state doesn't come through with its share of payments, so the city won't have to lay off any workers, said Hedges. None of the construction planned in 1995 on the new po- lice department, the city hall re- modeling, or the new civic arena, will come out of this budget. Money for those projects i v 1995 Budget General Government Public Works 15% Parks and Recreation 15% • Total budget equals $14,242,700 • Numbers are rounded • General govemment includes: mayor and councii, administration, legal, community development and cable TV expenses. comes from the independent Community Investment Fund. That fund was set up in the 1970s, during an early stage of Eagan's growth. At the time, the city sold municipal bonds to com- plete street, utility and other in- frastructure projects, and invest- ed the money when the bonds were sold. Because interest rates hovered around 18 percent at the time, and because it has contin- ued to add to the fund over the years, the city was able to amass $12 million in the fund. The City Council decided sev- n.:al years ago it would use the money for capital improvements that would benefit the entire city, rather than spending it on some- thing that would benefit only a handful of residents, such as res- idential street projects. Residents will be able to dis- cuss the budget with the council before they give it their final ap- proval at Truth in Taxation hear- ings on Dec. 7 and 14 at City Hall. Before that, residents should have received their Truth in Tax- ation notices detailing their city, county and school district taxes from Dakota County. Transit tax prompts the most questions at Eagan Truth in Taxation hearing By HEATHER HENDERSON CC drat ` er',cS A shift in the transit tax gen- erated the most questions from Eagan residents before and dur- ing the Truth in Taxation pub- lic hearing held Dec. 4 during the regular meeting of the Ea- gan City. Council. This year, City Administrator Tom Hedges explained, resi- dents looking at their Truth in Taxation notices will find that the amount listed under the transit tax will have decreased while the amount listed under city taxes will have increased. It doesn't mean the city is realizing increased tax reve- nue. It indicates a difference in how the transit funds are being collected and distributed, Hedges explained. In past years, transit taxes were collected by the Metro- politan Council. Then, the funds were turned over the city of Eagan. Finally, the city made payment to the Minne- sota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA). Now, the MVTA col, lects directly from the city, so the taxes go directly to the city. So overall, Hedges said, the net tax amount each resident pays does not increase or de- crease; the agencies receiving the funds are just different than in the past. The new process actually offers more direct con- trol and is more efficient than before, he said. In addition to addressing the issue of the transit tax, Hedges went through the proposed revenue and expenditure budg- ets for 1997 for the city of Ea- gan. The budgets have been in the development stages since last May, he said, and repre- sent some increases and some decreases from those in 1996. The overall expenditures pro- jected for 1997 are $15,952,100. Projected reve- nues are the same, the major- ity of which will come from property taxes, Hedges said. And, he added, the revenue projections from the city are conservative, despite any ac- tual revenue numbers listed from previous years. No action was taken on the final levy and final budget, but the public hearing was closed. The levy and budget will be up for adoption on the Dec. 16 regular meeting agenda. INSIDE NEWS: City Council OKs pre-emption proposal for intersections, Page 5A. SPORTS: EHS volleyball makes 180-degree turn from 1995, Page 23A. EAGAN SunCurrent Now featured in the Classified section of this edition 2 Sections/Newsstand 750 September 18, 1996 Vol. 21, No. 39 Eagan City Council votes to hold line on taxes By Sue Hegarty -7774ex 5 Staff Writer This fall, Eagan residents can bask in the warmth of the city's increased tax ca- pacity that effectively holds the line on the city's portion for their property taxes. The City Council certified a proposed $13.3 million preliminary tax levy during a special council meeting Sept. 12. That's an increase of nearly $700,000 above last year but residents won't be ex- pected to pay more taxes to make up the difference. Because there is more taxable property in Eagan over last year, the tax capacity rate dropped. That means resi- Proposed budget includes more police officers dents whose property values stayed the same from year to year will pay slightly less in the city's share of taxes next year. However, if a person's property values increased, so will their city taxes. The bulk of the increased revenue will be spent to upgrade technology and to hire an expert in that field to maintain equipment, said City Administrator Tom Hedges. Another portion will be used to pay for three additional police officers. Hedges said the 200-acre Eagan Promenade de- velopment and an increase in the juvenile population and crime rate provides the rationale for the new officers. Also budgeted is a $400 annual salary increase for council members and a $500 increase for the mayor. The council was expected to discuss the proposed increas- es at the Sept. 17 meeting. Mayor Tom Egan currently earns $9,000 and council members are paid $6,480. The proposed increase represents a 3.2 percent raise. When residents receive Truth in Tax- ation statements that list proposed 1997 taxes, the city figure will be in- flated and the Metropolitan Council fig- ure should be lower than last year. The Metropolitan Council and the Minneso- ta Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) have agreed to redefine how the trans- portation levy is distributed. This will be the first year that the levy amount appears on the city portion of tax state- ments instead of the Metropolitan Council tax portion. Eagan residents contribute $1.7 million toward a trans- portation levy, of which 88 percent is used within the MVTA service area and 12 percent is given to the Met Council for regional transit operations. 2A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996 INDOW FASHION �IKING GOLDEN VALLEY BURNSVILLE 544-8500 435-2588 BROOKLYN CENTER RICHFIELD NTERPRISES 1 MPLS SKYWAY CALL FOR FREE nJSt'r>L.n'l.\Indt'I {CM u1,S 376-0293 IN•HOMECONSULTATION Do It Yourself or We Install Ground broken for county's juvenile detention center Construction scheduled to begin in mid -October By Deb Schewe Staff Writer Dakota County's juvenile detention center construction is running on schedule. County officials broke ground for the 40-bed facility at a Sept. 10 ceremony. Excavation was expected to begin later in the week. Tim Walsh, facility direc- tor, said construction will start in mid - October. The county hopes to have the building completed by late October 1997, and occupied by mid- to late De- cember 1997. The building is geared for "high -risk, chronic, serious and violent" juvenile of- fenders who pose a threat to public safe- ty and themselves. Twenty of the beds will be for short - and long-term treatment and the re- maining 20 beds will be for those who may be dangerous and need to be in a secured area. Up to 12 beds will be county. Thirty people will staff the building, and it will cost $1.7 million annually to operate the facility. Services offered at the center include: intake and assessment, behavior man- agement/education groups, victim resti- tution and impact panels, parent educa- tion, educational/vocational placement, suicide assessment and prevention, and counseling. Those juveniles who are considered a risk to the public will be placed in the building's secure area. Once they ap- pear to be at a point where they can re- turn to the community, they will take part in the New Chance program (which will be next to the juvenile detention center). The five -phase program, aimed at those ages 11 to 19, began last Sep- tember and costs $78 per day, compared to $130 a day for a residential treat- ment facility. The program's goal is to eliminate the number of repeat offenses by juve- Eagan's ' 9 7 tax levy takes a dip By CHRIS BALDUS The Eagan City Council set- tled on a 1997 budget that ac- tually lowers the city's tax rate by 1.7 percent. But residents should realize that doesn't guarantee their personal taxes will go down. "That of course will not translate to reduction to major property taxpayers unless the market value is constant," Fi- nance Director Gene VanOver- beke told the council at a spe- cial meeting Thursday evening at City Hall. "Any change in market value will cause that total tax dollar to increase." The preliminary budget the City Council adopted actually increases by 3.8 percent over 1996 from $15,081,900 to $15,952,100 in general fund expenditures. These are expen- ditures for operating the gen- eral government, police and fire departments, Public Works, Parks and Recreation and paying off city debt. The value of property within the city has increased in mar- ket value and the city contin- ues to grow. These are the two primary reasons the city ex- pects there will be more than enough new tax dollars to cover the increase, according to City Administrator Tom Hedges. Hence, the city doesn't need to apply as high a out, the council will host a tax rate to each property. Truth In Taxation public hear - The city tax capacity rate is ing to explain the budget and dipping from .22139 in 1996 to tax levy and hear from citi- .21763 for 1997. zens. Eagan's hearing will be Within this budget, the coun- Dec. 4 and may continue Dec. cil elected to give the Police 11 if necessary. Department three more offi- The council will host a hear- cers, more clerical help and ing regarding ratification of the funding to extend hours police levy and general fund budget dispatchers work. At City Hall, Dec. 16. At that point, the a full-time technical assistant council can lower the tax levy, to work with computers, and a but it can't increase it. half-time building maintenance City Council Member Sandra position were added. Masin voiced concern at the The council also agreed to special meeting about how budget a salary increase for citizens will react, when they itself. Council members' sala- see the city is levying more ries are recommended to rise than $1.7 million outside its $400 to $6,480. The mayor's general fund levy for transit salary increase would be $500 operations. This is a new tax to $9,000. for the city, but it's not a new Although this increase is tax, she said. Last year, the budgeted, it takes an ordinance Metropolitan Council collected amending the City Code to do this tax from Eagan property it. The council will consider taxpayers. approving such an ordinance at Legislation passed last ses- its Sept. 17 meeting. sion made it possible for cities The City Council voted to take some control over this unanimously to certify its tax levy, said Masin. She property tax levy, adopting this added that Eagan agreed to go rate, and unanimously adopted along so it could detour around this preliminary budget to sat- Metropolitan Council bureauc- isfy state law. Information will racy and stabilize the budget now go Dakota County, which for the Minnesota Valley will print up Truth in Taxation Transportation Authority. The statements which are mailed amount the city levies is de - each fall to property owners. termined by the Metropolitan After these statements go Council, however, she said. Hero (Continued) and the Minnesota State Patrol. The award was es- tablished by the Minnesota State Patrol to honor stu- dents who help saved a life on a school bus. This is the first such award to be given to a Rosemount - Apple Valley -Eagan stu- dent, a district that busses 25,000 children every day, according to District 196 Safety and Training Super- visor Mike Kemp. With Dis- trict 196 busses covering 2.5 million miles every school year, Kemp credits the dis- trict's focused bus safety educational program and student awareness for the district's low record of school bus related injuries. In fact, Kemp said he can not remember the last time District 196 suffered a fatal- ity on a school bus. Kemp explained that fifth - grade bus safety patrols are instructed to get off the bus at each stop, flag students across the street, and check in front and on the sides of the bus to make sure that no one is in the 10-foot safety zone. "That's what (Mary) was doing when she saw him," Kemp said. In light of two school bus fatalities in the Twin Cities twice a year. "We start (educating stu- dents) in kindergarten and every year after that," Kemp explained. "We do it because children do not have a long attention span. We just try to keep pound- ing it into them, and it pays off more often than not." It certainly did pay off in Mary's case. She became a bus safety patrol — a role officially designated for fifth -graders — during the middle of last school year. Now a fifth -grader, Mary has decided to continue her duty as a bus safety patrol. At the end of each day, she picks up first -graders, es- corts them to their buses, and flags other students across the street on her bus route home until her stop. "I like helping kids," she said. "I thought it was fun last year so I did it again this year." Mary, the daughter of Richard and Judith Chris- tianson of Apple Valley, said she feels a little over- whelmed by all of the atten- tion that she has received for her efforts. "I liked (getting the award) a lot, it was fun," she noted. "But I kind of got tired of all the cameras and reporters." FCiID CL A '96 TAUR1 Stock #7019 $1 b 3 i 4 '96 THUNDERBIRI Stock #6007 $lb 995* 1 '97 F150 XL EAG N. -OHS WCNK 9/AAA% `No' voters hold the line against Eagan's onerous property taxes To the editor: CF r A "` t" Mayor Egan was "disappointed" over the Eagan parks referendum results and "suggested the vagueness re- garding the sites contributed to the loss." With an overwhelm- ing "no" vote, it should be clear to even an average ob- server that taxpayers have voted not to add to their al- ready onerous tax load. Is it the mayor's contention, veiled though it may be, that the citizenry of Eagan is inca- pable of making an informed decision? At last count, I be- lieve, we have over 50 existing parks in Eagan. Do we really need and want more? Remem- ber each government con- trolled park is a non -revenue - producing property, which means that additional higher taxes have to be paid by fewer tax -producing owners in order to maintain the parks and pay for the personnel doing so. If the past is any guide, we can expect this mayor to keep pushing for more taxes. It would behoove all of us that care, to keep scrutinizing our "leaders" lest they feel led to believe that only they are qualified to make decisions affecting every taxpayer in Ea- gan. Let's work on holding those responsible who are spending our hard-earned money. HENRY JANDEWERTH Eagan II ►I Karen Barb Kate Allison M: cc ti'l t 1/ 'eCa / ['!I('n/ Ai( / 0 teat/till Council decides taja4,-- guaranteeingpart of-►�/ expanding business loan /1),-/s- By BRENDA HAUGEN Despite Mayor Tom Egan's argument that the risk to the city is minimal in contrast to possible benefits, the majority of the Eagan City Council opted not to provide financial assistance to a local business wishing to build a new facility in Eagandale Industrial Park. Register Resale proposed to construct a 40,000 square -foot facility on Trapp Road in the industrial park in order to con- solidate its existing operations. The cost of the facility is slated at $1.5 million. (See Loan, p.10A) `92 CHEV. CAVALIER R.S. / `93 FORD TAL 4 Dr., Auto., Air, 46XXX Act. * $6975 * `93 GEO STORM 2+2 3 Dr., 5 Spd., Air * 13XXX Act. * $6975 * 2A Notembec 141 a46<<:4Otl0WEIRKT iHT Jet Black, V6, At. * $79 7 l� '89 PONTIAC V6, Auto., Air, 1 *$493 Loan (Continued from front page) Register Resale is seeking 90 percent financing through Eastern Heights Bank. To se- cure the financing, the St. Paul Port Authority and the city of Eagan were asked to guarantee a part of the loan. Eagan, with the City Council's approval, would participate in the Port Authority's business develop- ment financing program, guar- anteeing a maximum of 10 percent or $135,000, whichever was less. Eagan's guarantee would run for the first five years of the 15-year loan. Egan said supporting this business is a good way to show Eagan's business community that the council is there for them. "I think the upside is great," he said. "I think this is an ex- cellent opportunity to start." Council Member Pat Awada said she sees the issue in a more philosophical way. What gives the council, or any other government entity, the right to pick and choose which busi- nesses it will help, she asked? She added she's not comfort- able putting taxpayers' money on the line for this. "This is the public's money," she said. Council Member Shawn Hunter said with Eagan's healthy business climate, the Icoy city doesn't need to take such risks to attract businesses. "It floors me we're even consider- ing financial tools" to draw businesses into the community, he said. Egan said many of the city's businesses came to Eagan when more financial tools were available. Eagan hasn't gotten to where it is without helping businesses, he added. According to Egan, Register Resale is an existing business "with a good track record," and a willingness to expand in Eagan. Egan said the city only is at risk if there is a default on the loan. In the worst -case sce- nario, the city could go after the personal guarantees from Register Resale to make good on the loan, he said. And taxes from the business would pay of the city's debt in eight years, Egan added. Council Member Sandra Masin agreed with Egan, add- ing she believes guaranteeing the loan would be a good risk. But Awada, Hunter and Council Member Ted Wachter voted against becoming in- volved. But at the end of the discussion, the council mem- bers did say they were open to reconsidering the matter if more information could be pro- vided that would sway their opinions. Marketing their wares STUDENTS INVOLVED in the Young Entrepreneurs of Mini and sold their products at Koch Refining Company last week schools were St. Bernard's High School of St. Paul and Cec Eagan. Here, Ryan Padilla, left, of Savage makes a deal with 1 ing. Photo by Rick Orndorf Genealogical Society to meet The Dakota County Genea- logical Society will meet Thursday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., at '* 1l (the old National Register sit The Dakota County Histori- cal Society will host an open public form designed to get together the different individu- als and groups who are working County's '97 tax levy increased 4.5 percent By BRENDA HAUGEN Debate over whether another $348,000 would make a real difference in the county's budget was one of the main issues of discussion as mem- bers of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners looked at setting the 1997 property tax levy. In the end, commissioners voted 4-3 Sept. 10 to increase the levy 4.5 percent. Commis- sioners Joe Harris, Patrice Bataglia and Donald Maher cast the dissenting votes, ap- pearing to favor a 4 percent increase. Commissioner Steve Loeding said the 4.5 percent increase gives the board flexibility. The board still has to go through the budget process, he said, adding that the levy set by the board is the maximum levy, not the final levy. Board Chair Mike Turner agreed, saying the board always has the option of reducing the levy. Harris said the board has re- mained pretty close to the maximum levy in the past. Not much in savings has been found through the budget proc- ess, he said. County Administrator Brandt Richardson said the budget isn't keeping pace with the in- creased need for services. The county has seen large in- creases in everything from li- brary and park use to juvenile crime, but budgets for these items have increased little in comparison, he said. "We are doing more with less," Richardson said. He added that the economy is currently strong, but with economic stress comes an in- creased demand for services. Bataglia said changes such as welfare reform should help ease the burden. The goal of reform is to have fewer people (See County, p. 10A) 3 YEAR LEASE $269* Automatic, Air Conaitic Dual Airbags, Floor N Defrost, Console, Cruise M.S.R.P. $16,' Rebate it Disc. ....-- 1i 15,49 '96 Caravan 4 Dr. .75396 3 1/2 YEAR LEASE $259* Auto., Air Conditioning, Defrost, 4 Door, Tilt, C Locks, 7 Passenger, Airbags £f More! M.S.R.P. $ Rebate Et Disc..... $17,8 'Ram 51.250 cep rad., 5525 ACO tees. 1st pay. & lit. in advance. total at inception (52,008. 23 + lic.). total remaining payments (S6,76i (5715 53 + Iic.l. Stratus (51,097.96 + lic.). total remaining payments Neon 35.528 27). Stratus (S10,026.80), end of lease value Neon (7 3800.83 +1ic.). Grand (5898.03 + Iic.). Total remaining payments Caravan (S11,309.03). Grand (514,802 23). End of Lease Value Carevl * `96 INTREPIDS * Rental Returns Just arrived Loaded '96 4 Dr's, 3.5 V6 Power, Rainbow of Colors. Auto. with air cond., power windows, locks, tilt, cruise, AM/FM/ Cassette, dual airbags, balance of warranty. These are 1996 models. 1 Price - Your Pick - Hurry For Best Selection $15,775 * TH 15 Hard to find 5 S. Heated seats, r AM/FM/Cassette Tier, All factory eq S, P1 A//1as ITr n • NC' rn rA D 7721 I( i Au�titor announces tax levies, '82 estimates By CATHY PAGE Staff Writer Assuming that the market value of your house increased 10% in the last year, your 1982 real estate taxes will rise anywhere from $29 on a $44,000 house in Sciota to $490 on an $88,000 house in Waterford. The tax increases were an- nounced Feb. 11 by Carl D. Onischuk, the county auditor. Onischuk also released the 1982 mill levies for the Metropolitan Council, mosquito abatement and Metropolitan Transit Commis- sion (MTC) special tax districts. The 1982 levy on county residents from the Metro Council is $593,956. That figure is about $73,000 higher than in 1981. The total mosquito abatement levy for 1982 is $292,507, or about $25,000 higher than in 1981. County residents will pay about $260,000 more to the MTC in 1982 than in 1981. This year's Metro Transit Commission levy, accor- ding to Onischuk, is $2,887,206. Cities which have some MTC service are taxed at a higher mill rate than those with no bus ser- vice. The Minnesota Department of Revenue reports that county auditors and treasurers had to wait nearly three months longer than usual before they could begin preparing the tax bills. Work on the tax bills did not begin until Jan. 22, the deadline for school districts to decide whether to raise taxes by the 2 mills authorized by the legislature. The state revenue depairtment warns homeowners not to expect property tax bills in the mailbox until sometime in March. The bill is still payable in the usual two in- stallments on May 31 and October 31. The delay in computing tax bills is a result of the special ses- sion of the state legislature to cor- rect the state's $768 million deficit. (SEE CHART, PAGE 12A) whereas landfills or burying waste has led to polluted wells and streams, whereas there are positive uses for sludge ash and other wastes, Be it resolved that this political party go on record opposing farmland being used for anything but farming and that more research be done on waste materials before the fatal step of burying them. The PCA has now become in- volved in the sludge ash siting. There will be a public hearing Feb. 24 at the Farmington High School at 7 p.m. Sincerely, BARB AND TIM KELLY Farmington U., 51 w,,,c, a..a UV. .. ,... "Somebody" will organize and lead a charity ride for Dakota County. "Somebody" will keep the lines of communication open with the local law enforcement office and city council. "Somebody" will take the signs off the trails this spring, repair The Rosemount ono i uppers meet the first Thursday of each month at the VFW. Come join us -- we need you. For information call 423-1108. MYRNA R. SENS Rosemount Sno Toppers Charter member Construction accident injures man FARMINGTON -- Construction worker Patrick Wooden, 30, of Farmington, was listed in satisfactory condition Monday, Feb. 15. at the Hennepin County Officer gets $125 from jury LAKEVILLE -- A Lakeville police officer, charging a resi- dent with assault and battery, was awarded $125 damages by a six -person jury in Hastings District Court recently. Officer Gregory Style alleged that Rex Sylvester became com- bative and bit the officer on both arms June 12, 1980, when the of- ficer attempted to place the de- fendant in a squad car. Style sought $10,000 in special damages for injuries sustained and $50,000 in punitive damages. The defendant denied the allegations and filed a counter claim, alleging that Style maliciously assaulted and bat- tered him, seeking the same amount of monetary damages. Style was awarded $100 in special damages and $25 punitive damages Feb. 5. fTY TRIBUNE FEBRUARY 18,1982 eo a 0>> 00> co+.i o. co co City S.D. 1982 1981 Dollar Net Tax Net Tax Increase 1982 1981 Dollar Net Tax Net Tax Increase 1982 1981 Dollar Net Tax Net Tax Increase Apple Valley 196 ' 373 325 48 842 655 187 1517 1249 268 hurnsville 191 364 299 65 806 551 255 1464 1097 367 Castle Rock 192 275 224 51 465 377 88 945 658 287 Cuatos 196 314 268 46 604 452 152 1172 915 257 Douglas 200 275 223 52 464 375 89 941 '651 290 Eagan 196 355 296 59 737 538 199 1364 1078 286 Empire 192 281 230 51 474 387 87 977 691 286 Eureka 194 310 254 56 570 427 143 1122 831 291 Fannington 192 367 302 65 787 561 226 1437 1112 325 Greenvale 659 313 228 85 601 384 217 1166 680 486 Hampton Twp. 195 241 207 34 407 349 58 744 558 186 Hampton City 200 344 231 113• 587 389 198 1146 699 447 Ila,tings 200 362 289 73 757 508 249 1394 1035 359 Inver Grove Heights 199 335 273 62 659 459 200 1252 942 310 Lakeville 194 354 296 58 751 539 212 1385 1081 304 Lilyda1e; 197 289 240 49 502 405 97 1023 753 270 Narshan 200 276 231 45 467 389 78 949 697 252 Mendota Heights 197 313 252 61 601 425 176 1167 824 343 Nondota 197 397 315 82 894 614 280 1593 1189 404 1iesvi11e 200 265 214 51 448 361 87 887 601 286 New Trier 200 287 227 60 495 383 112 1013 677 336 Nininger 200 285 236 49 487 398 89 1001 727 274 Randolph Twp. 195 255 220 35 431 370 61 826 632 194 Randolph City 195 284 257 27 482 433 49 993 850 143 Itaverura 200 274 241 33 463 406 57 936 756 180 Rosemount 196 363 310 53 786 593 193 1435 1158 277 ;riota 195 253 224 29 427 377 50 813 656 157 South St. Paul 6 379 339 40 862 711 151 1546 1330 216 Sunfish Lake 197 320 269 51 628 454 174 1197 922 275 Vermillion 1Wp. 200 285 239 46 489 403 86 1004 746 258 Vermillion City 200 311 256 55 592 430 162 1154 841 313 daterford dest Si.. 659 306 219 87 570 370 200 1121 631 490 Paul 197 332 272 60 677 458 219 1277 937 340 Feb 23 Erickson's Coupon 3 FOR $1.5t 94 Al Erickson's Cou • on FAMOUS NORRIS 19r100'/. PURE $AYMONT a-oz.' APPLE YOGURT CUPS JUICE Limit 1 Per Famrl Valid TIII Fab. 23 ChafiVIWPaitta Limit 1 Per Famll Valid TIII Feb. 23. g NiFehatvit Erickson's Coupon 96 KEMPS 1/2 LB. 59 PREMIUM GAL.8 9 CREAM SO. 6 /►i ALL FLAVORS 6c_ Limit1PerALL FL—ValidTIIIFebs23:- �iilr(I�Ih(61 Irlidlr�911� LB. At STSLB.1 29 FAIRWAY 98 �1 '�rTH IPON orb- WITH $2S PURCHASE Limit 1 Per lentil —Valid Till Feb.13 � L(mlt 1 Per Famil —VOILA Tlll Feb. 23 d �� 4fi � tl'�tic�lvi �•rTlyit�l CLIP 8 SAVE Erickson's Coupon FINEST BREAD LB 119E DOUGH LB. 11 Erickson's Coupon 97 ARMOUR STAR WIENERS LB.1' 9 ALL MEAT Limit 1 Per Family—Volld TIII Feb. 23 1'iilfilli�i CLIP 8 SAVE irll'ili�i1711A Erickson's Coupon 99 MAGIC OVEN WHITE OR WHEAT SPLIT TOP 1'/,-LB.694 f: BREAD LOAF `.47` Erickson's Coupon' 23.70 VALUE 6-OZ. 0g BIRDSEYE CHOPPED ' 99 BROCCOLI LB. 51.L..99 LVS. 50-100 5 94k 10-oz. 9 PKGS. U GCE.. Erickson's Coupon FINAL 101 t TOUCH 4 99 FABRIC q s. SOFTNER 700 Limit 1 Per Famll Valid TIII Apr. • Limit 1 Par Famil Valid TIII Feb. 23 4'11414141'r'i ► itill'i ill 41141'r 141.; lrli5ililirJ►� 3 Les. 499° ' $3.40 VALUE BIRDSEYE '-CUT OR FRENCH GREEN BEANS 3LB=.99CI' • Erickson's Coupon 50-102 10 0Z. 1 PKGS. Erickson's Coupon $1.83 VALUE 15-103 BIG G TRIX 12-oz.139' -.CEREAL BOX Limit 1 Per Famll Valid TIII Apr. 17 4C Limit 1 Per Fomlly—Valid TIII Feb. 23 1;i1711 9i vYiAka9JRvi1';i1rivitdi CLIP 8 SAVE opinion just because Downtown always more fun when taken on foot By JOHN GESSNER I never met a downtown I didn't like except Chicago's, and even it proved enchanting after I parked my car out of the path of man- eating buses and kamakaze taxi cabs. Downtown — any downtown — is a lot more fun on foot, when you can cross against the lights and catch the rising sewer fumes. I live in St. Paul now, my first experience in metropolis - dwelling, and was remembering recently how I got so taken with city sights. Here's the story : One day when I was maybe 11 or 12, the Metropolitan Transit Commission decided to issue us kids free bus cards. "Anywhere is better than here," we must have reasoned, especially when you got there on wheels that are motorized instead of pedal - driven. The MTC later rescinded the freebee after television news aired pictures of kids my age loitering in the St. Paul skyway system, but the damage had been done — me and many of my friends were hooked. The down- ' days lived on. - ancipated. crossing suburban undaries or a busy highway on a bicycle. But that didn't compare to boarding a bus in West St. Paul and knowing that everything that mattered — like getting home in time for sup- per or bed — was captive to the will of a strange bus driver and the big city where he was taking us. Kids crave such visceral thrills. Stepping off the bus at Sixth and Wabasha and looking for something to do didn't always match the thrill of getting there, but we had our moments. We would elevate our cool quo- tient by visiting the record stores that doubled as head shops, or go pig out on French fries at the sorely missed downtown Bridgeman's. We would prowl the skyways or stroll past the Civic Center, bragging about rock con- certs we held tickets for. I think my favorite game was elevator tag in a little -used park- ing ramp. Once. when that proved too tame, a chum clawed open the doors of a moving eleva- tor, standing our car about five feet above the floor. Maybe he wasn't fazed, but I thought we were going to crash or be ar- rested or both. Yet this same friend, decidedly too rowdy for his age and some- times for my taste, also took a philosophical approach to down- town. He used to ride the bus downtown to think. I tried that one spring night but only felt alone. As I grew older, though, I real- ized that independence some- times means solitude, and Route 5F offered both. I marveled at how brash I was the night of the Peter Frampton concert with only myself and a few bucks. How cool it was to score a ticket from a scalper and rush the stage like a teenybopper, not caring if I lost my friends somewhere in Section 222 because none were there to lose. My parents, by the way, were good enough to pick me up after the show. This independence took a wierd rn later, though, one summer wring college when I was still liv- ing at home. I'd bused to Minnea- polis to spend an evening and the following day with friends living near the U of M campus. I retur- ned later that evening to St. Paul, where I scoured the pocket sche- dule for the next ride home. It was Sunday and the schedule was sparse, so I went to a bar to wait out the next bus. I got to having too much fun listening to a blind singer called Lazy Bill Lucas and realized, only after or- dering my last Manhattan, that the bus I needed and the next two after that had already left. So I walked home — south on Robert Street for about five miles, nothing but me and store- front signs that blinked at moto- rists who weren't there to see them. I was surprised to arrive home hours later feeling alert but ready for bed. "This is kind of neat!" I EAGAN THIS WEEK PUBLISHERS Joseph R. Clay • Daniel H. Clay MANAGING EDITOR Bob Temple NEWS EDITOR Brenda Guderian SPORTS EDITOR Pete Temple CLASSIFIED MANAGER Diane Henningsen OFFICE: 1525 E. Highway 13 P.O. Box 1439 Burnsville, Minn. 55337 OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday -Friday 894-1111 (nought, so I made the trip again and again until one night when I stopped to rest about a half -mile from home, dozed off, woke up underneath a police officer, ex- plained my story and was rudely asked if I was training for the Marines. Downtown St. Paul isn't the same as it was in those days. It's higher now and there's a lot more of it, vacant offices and condos notwithstanding. My enchant- ment with downtown shrank in proportion to its growth (and as I realized there's a lot more to do in Minneapolis) Until I became a city -dweller myself, and a friend returning from school in New York set up housekeeping in a downtown condo a few miles away. It hap- pens that I live right on a busline that deposits passengers only a couple blocks from his high-rise. That's great, because down- town is always more fun on foot. know your rights CSSA protects rights If you, your family, or elderly parent should become needy or vulnerable, and you need help but don't know what programs to ap- ply for, legal advocates believe that Minnesota's Community Social Services Act (CSSA) protects your right to good com- munication and coordination of the services available through your county. This is important if you have many needs. For example, an elderly, a disabled, or a homeless person may need help from several programs, ranging from housing and income mainten- ance, to food stamps, Medical As- sistance and social services such as homemaker and therapy ser- vices, or chemical dependency treatment. In such a case, when you apply for a program, you should ask your county worker to tell you about all other services that are available through your county that might help you, and how you can apply for them. If your hard- pressed county worker doesn't seem to know about other ser- vices and you still have questions, ask to talk to a supervisor. Remember also that whether you apply for help at your county, at Social Security. or the VA, you always have the right to make a written application. You can ap- peal if you are denied eligibility, or if your benefits are reduced or terminated. For legal help or in- formation contact your legal ser- vices office. (This information, by the Community Legal Education Program of the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. is not meant to be a complete answer to a legal problem. If you need legal help, call your legal services office.) letters Property tax increases occur first at legislature To the editor: Like many Eagan homeow- ners, my shoulders slumped a bit this month when I received my annual property tax statement from Dakota County. Taxes up another $200, estimated market value up another $7,600. It just gets tougher and tougher to raise a family in the suburbs. Those of us in city government understand that taxpayers are just about tapped out, that the cost of new schools and jails and fire stations is making it more and more difficult to meet the monthly mortgage, buy kids school clothes and still have something left over for the occa- sional night out. It was that growing sense of frustration, I believe, that led to the defeat of the community center bond referendum. Most people I've spoken to agreed that it would have been nice to have a swimming pool, an indoor skating rink and the rest. But in the grand scheme of things, it just wasn't a high priority like other recent building projects. And when property tax statements arrived showing increases of 10-20 per- cent, homeowners reacted in- stinctively; they went to the polls and voted no. Property taxpayers have every right to know who's responsible for their skyrocketing levies and hold those individuals accounta- ble. But without a close in- spection, it's difficult to know who to blame. For illustrative purposes, let me set aside the shroud of priv- acy with which we all conceal our personal finances and share with you what's happened with my tax rates the last four years. In 1985, our family's modest home on Carlson Lake Lane had a market value of $85,600 and our taxes were $1,895 ($1,245 after the state's homestead credit). Of that, $1,098 (57 percent) went to the school district, $383 (19.9 per- cent) went to the county, $383 (19.9 percent) went to the city and $59 (3 percent) went to other mis- cellaneous taxing jurisdictions. By 1989, the market value has increased to $106,100 (up 23.9 per- cent) and taxes are now up to $2,328 ($1,603), an increase of 21 percent. Schools still account for 57 percent of the bite. But the county's share is up to 22 percent of the total, while the city's share is down to 17.3 percent. During that four-year span, District 196 had raised our taxes by 20.7 percent, Dakota County by 33.9 percent and the city of Eagan by 5.2 percent. Granted, most people don't break down their tax burdens that precisely. After all, a tax is a tax is a tax, and it doesn't really matter which pocket it goes into. But as one who has been involved in city government for three of those four years, I'm pretty proud that we've controlled our appetite for tax dollars while at the same time keeping city ser- vices at respectable levels. If there's a culprit in all this, it's the Minnesota Legislature, which has fiddled with property tax relief programs and state -aid credits that benefit the core cities and northern Minnesota. In a year when our taxes went up 10-20 r1 -r-A ‘c. r` ) percent, taxes in Duluth dropped by 25 percent. At a time when the city of Eagan receives $26 per ca- pita in local government aid from the state, Minneapolis receives $260 per capita and some Iron Range cities collect more than $500 per capital. There is an inherent unfairness when state legislators shift the tax burden that dramatically, from one class of players to an- other. There is no reason why Eagan homeowners should sub- sidize a full-time fire department in Virginia, Minn., which has a population roughly one-fourth our size. There is no reason why Eagan families should need two incomes just to be able to meet the mortgage. I predict that within the next two years, the property tax revolt is going to sweep the state, the likes of which Minnesota has never seen. It's going to ger- minate in the suburbs, blossom across Minnesota and throw from office the authors of today's puni- tive tax policies. A day of reckon- ing is coming, and it's going to be sooner than later. Until the necessary changes are made, citizen -taxpayers must remain vigilant, making sure that their tax dollars are spent wisely and distributed fairly. As the mayor of Minnesota's fastest - growing city, I expect nothing less than full accountability for my actions. We must expect the same from our state lawmakers. VIC ELLISON, Eagan Operating cost biggest unknown in center vote To the editor: After years of careful planning I was dismayed, but not sur- prised, to see the community center bond referendum fail. Since 1978 we have been planning, if not counting on, a community center. What went wrong? I believe the biggest factor was in not telling the voters what the operating cost (user fees) would be. Second, the liberal spending by setting the cost of the center at $9.7 million and diverting $2 mil- lion from the consolidated debt fund is irresponsible. For years the past councils were concerned that the fund be used for repaying bonds. It is possible to have losses as well as gains in the consoli- dated debt fund. If and when the community center comes before the voters again, all the facts regarding taxes must be known. BEA BLOMQUIST. Eagan Editor's note: Blomquist was mayor of Eagan from 1980-87. Correction The cost of the Cray de- velopment in Eagan was incor- rect in the Feb. 20 edition of Eagan Thisweek. It is a $50 mil- lion project. 4A FEBRUARY 27, 1989 TH SWEEK Siting (Continued from front) He said he was convinced the waste -to -energy plant would not be a source of pollution, but he be- lieved people in the Pine Bend area have had enough frustration with environmental concerns. They do not need the anxiety that might be caused by locating the facility in their neighborhood. "People in the Pine Bend area are facing so many other issues, they don't need this," he said. He offered a resolution designating the 675-acre area just south of Coates as the committee's first choice. However, Commissioner Joe Harris, who represents both Em- pire and Vermillion townships, wanted to know why the site near Coates was ranked higher in the site access category. He reminded the committee that the county's waste ge- neration center is northwest of both those sites, so the Rose- mount/Empire site is nearest that center. Waste haulers would have to travel another 15 miles round trip to reach a waste -to - energy plant south of Coates. Chuck Michael, consultant with Malcolm Pirnie, said the Vermil- lion site ranked higher because Hwy. 52 is considered to be a major arterial, while Hwy. 3 is not. Loeding said the distance be- tween sites was short and not nearly as important as other fac- tors. "Such as what?" asked Harris. "Putting it where the least amount of people live?" For years, he said, he has been told that facilities needed to be built in the western area of the county where the population is concentrated, because it is too difficult for those people to travel to the government center in Hast- ings on the eastern side. "Now when this comes, put it in the east," he said. Commissioner Don Chapde- laine said the siting would be a difficult decision and he had no easy answers. However, he was opposed to locating the facility near areas that already have been developed. To do so would be changing the ground rules for people who made a decision to build in the vicinity, he said. He emphasized that he was not concerned that the plant actually would be a health ha- zard, only that it would be per- ceived as a health threat and the perception could affect property values. After the plant is in operation, he said that perception would disappear because people would realize the facility was safe, clean and attractive. Commissioner Mike Turner said he agreed with Loeding's proposal because he was concer- ned about the potential health problems already faced by resi- dents in the area of the earlier site choices. A recent study indi- cated that sulfur dioxide emis- sions from Pine Bend industries might be a factor in the area's higher -than -normal incidence of asthma. Both Chapdelaine and Turner were elected to the board in November, so they did not parti- cipate in the site selection process a year ago. Loeding said that new techno- logy is being tested that is be- lieved to be capable of removing 100 percent of sulfur dioxide from air emissions. If that technology becomes available, the waste -to - energy plant would not emit even a negligible arfsount of sulfur dioxide. Also, he said, the county's con- tract with Combustion Engineer- ing to build the plant includes a clause that requires the vendor to incorporate any new technology developed before construction begins. He said he would be opposed to the Rosemount/Empire site un- less the county proposed building on the southernmost portion only, south of County Road 58, in Em- pire Township. Also, he said, an area just south and east of that site could be included, even though it did not meet the site study criterion that required lo- cation within half a mile of a major or minor arterial. Lou Breimhurst, resource re- covery project director, said the site had been eliminated when it did not meet the location criterion so it had not been evaluated ac- cording to other criteria. Harris said that if the half -mile criterion were eliminated, other sites probably could be found closer to the waste generation center of the county, too. When he suggested areas north of Pine Bend and the refinery as being not heavily populated, however, Loeding said there was a great deal of residential development there. Harris said, "I know Coates is not a thriving community, but it's not as if nobody exists there." He said he did not believe that the site near Coates has better rT6.' OP DOLLAR • Class Rings • Wedding Bands • Scrap Gold • Antique & FOR: • Dental Gold Estate Jewelry • Pocket Watches ;Svwsi Office on en #A>tk crq ��R access than the site in Rose- mount/Empire. He said the latter should be the preferred site. Turner suggested that the resolution include both sites on an equal basis. Michael said the county need not rank one site above the other when it submits the envir- onmental impact statement to the Metropolitan Council. Both par- cels would then be studied. The board agreed to Turner's com- promise. After next week's board meet- ing, county staff will review the selected sites and seek specific parcels for purchase by the county. Breimhurst said that process should be completed and ready for board action by the end of April or early May. The county will then make preparations for the envir- onmental impact study by the Met Council. The council's find- ings will be available to the board and the MPCA, which will grant the permit to build the facility, he said. The need for a second site search has delayed the project by several months, Breimhurst said. Originally, the county had expec- ted to begin construction in Au- gust or September of 1989, rather than spring of 1990. An inflationary clause calls for a $10,000 payment to Combustion Engineering for each day con- struction is delayed. PAID -,/(Apple cVaPt'e ple Valley.... CUTTING HIS ALLOWANCE WON'T ADD TO HIS MATH JEWELERS _ SYLVAN WILL. Sylvan Learning Centers are a group of neigh- borhood educational centers, offering everything from remedial reading and math to enhanced study skills. We test in order to pinpoint the spe- cific areas in which your child needs help. And we attack the problem with an individually designed pn>gram. Positive motivation, friendly encourage- ment. an experience of success right fron, the start, and a certified teacher Sylvan who provides individual Learning izcd attention make all Center the difference. I Ielping ki4 do hetter. 681-9611 ..Eagan /Burnsville 888-0990 Bloomington 566-6254 .Brooklyn Center 544-6253 Minnetonka 770-3191 Maplewood S111'AN LEARNING (.ENTER PROGRAMS Reading Math Writing Study Skills Algebra College SAI' ACI Prep 9) I $* 's hmn IA.mrnµ l-. rlr rieu x ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS! Barber Plus will be giving four $500 scholar- ships to area graduating seniors to the Oliver Thein Cosmetology School. If you are interested in our profession as a career, call any of our three salons for more in- formation, or just stop in and pick up your scholarship applications. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MARCH 31, 1989. Cobblestone Court aTher 3 Locations Cedar Cliff Town Centre 435-8585 454-1390 456-9454 f( Hop In To Snap Shots Today! REGISTER TO WIN "SNAPPY" THE SNAP SHOTS EASTER BUNNY Just fill out the entry blank below and drop it off. No purchase necessary. Drawing to be held March 25th! r- Happy Easter From Justine & Snappy! SPECIAL EASTER OFFER ... S10 OFF ANY PACKAGE Pictures must be taken by March 14th to insure Easter delivery. Offer Expires 3-14-89 "SNAPPY" Easter Bunny Drawing Name Address City State Phone CALL FOR YOUR APPT. TODAY! SNAPSHOTS PORTRAIT STUDIO Cobblestone Court 435-9577 l THISWEEK FEBRUARY 27; t9$9 3A Eagan City Council certifies $12.6 million tax levy • Development allows tax rate to re- main unchanged from 1995. By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Eagan residents won't be able to blame city officials if they receive proposed tax increases on their November Truth in Taxation notices. Eagan's City Council froze taxes at 1995 levels when it certified its proposed 1996 tax levy and city budget Sept. 5. The proposed $12.6 million levy could be decreased, but not increased, when the council gives final approval Dec. 19. The city is able to offer more bang for the same buck because new development has added revenue to city tax rolls. Even before new buildings are built, new con- struction fees and permits account for a large portion of city revenue. City Administrator Tom Hedges cau- tioned the council not to rely too heavily on non -tax revenue when setting next year's $15 million budget. "There's becoming more reliance on property tax as a revenue source because we won't always have the rapid growth," Hedges said. By the year 2000 the city's reliance on property taxes for funding will increase by 8 percent, according to staff projections. Non -tax revenue sources already are decreasing in some areas, such as state aid and some city licensing and permit re- quirements. For example, animal licens- ing has dropped from every year to every other year. The city's budget is expected to in- crease by $787,000 next year. New budget items proposed for 1996 include: • An estimated $100,000 maintenance bill for the new police facility and ex- panded city offices. • Full year salaries for two police offi- cers who were added midyear in 1995, • A part-time clerical position and dis- patcher for the Police Department, • Insurance for the mayor and City Council jumped $11,000 over last year, • 1996 is an election year. The estimat- ed cost for three elections — primary, gen- eral and a parks referendum — is $51,000. No decision has been made on whether there will be a parks referendum. • Additional seasonal parks staff to meet the rise in recreation programs. The City Council may change line -item budget allocations, provided the change does not increase the overall levy. A hear- ing will be scheduled in December for res- idents who may have concerns or ques- tions about the proposed tax levy. Dakota County will use the proposed $12.6 million levy amount to issue prop- erty -specific truth -in -taxation state- ments to property owners. Notices are ex- pected to be mailed in mid -November, prior to the Dec. 5 public hearing PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: JON HOHENSTEIN, 454-8100 LOCAL CITY OFFICIAL ATTENDS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE Staff members Jon Hohenstein and Liz Witt of the City of Eagan were among over 400 city officials and legislators attending the annual League of Minnesota Cities Legislative Conference in St. Paul. The possible rise in property taxes and cutbacks in local government services that could result from the governor's proposed budget cuts were the main topics during the conference. The governor is proposing $200 million in budget adjustments, mainly spending cuts, to solve the state's $145 million revenue shortfall. The governor's proposal includes a $300 million or 17 percent cut in property tax relief in the next biennium, and $66 million in the current budget year. The authors of the state's property tax laws discussed how big the cuts to cities may be. Sen. Doug Johnson, chair, Senate Committee on Taxes, and Rep. Paul Ogren, chair, House Committee on Taxes, were two of the speakers. A panel of city officials commented on the possible changes in the property tax laws. Rep. Robert Vanasek, Speaker of the House, and Rep. William Schreiber, House Minority Leader, addressed pending legislation. Other topics city officials discussed were pay equity, consolidated election day, solid waste, and tax increment financing. -30- March 20, 1990