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Blue Earth proposed levy hike: 12.3%

BLUE EARTH — Blue Earth City Council established a preliminary 2021 budget and property tax levy earlier this week, with council members noting they plan to lower the figures by the time the final numbers are set in December.

The council set the preliminary tax levy at $1.88 million, a 12.3 percent increase from this year.

“Our goal is still going to be to get the levy increase down to a 3 or 3.5 percent amount,” said Mayor Rick Scholtes. “That has been our target each year for the last few years.”

Scholtes and city administrator Mary Kennedy explained that some budget numbers for revenues are not all filled in yet. Adding them will drop the levy necessary for the proposed budget.

The final 2021 budget and property tax levy will be set after the truth-in-taxation hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 7.

In other business, the council:

o Agreed to help fund a new fence at the 14th Street ballfields. Brent Legred of the Blue Earth Baseball Association reported the group had received a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Twins toward the project. The City Council agreed to fund the remaining cost, about $6,690.

o Heard a report from the city engineer concerning the street committee’s recommendation for 2021 projects. They include several blocks of North Hood, North Walnut and East Third streets, as well as blocks along West 10th and South Nicollet streets.

o Received an update on the dispersing of COVID-19 relief funds. Discussion centered on the use of about $60,000 in funds not yet designated. Kennedy proposed spending some of the money on technology upgrades to the City Hall council chambers and the meeting room at the Ag Center, as well as purchasing two new laptop computers.

o Granted permission for the library to be open more than the current 15 hours per week, and also to hire back one part-time person for 15 hours per week.

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