After meeting eight times to discuss the 2021 budget, the Crosslake City Council on Monday, Dec. 14, approved the budget and a 2021 general revenue tax levy of $4,485,852.
That number is 4.17% higher than this year’s levy of $4,306,139.
The estimated tax rate is 30.34%, compared to this year’s rate of 30.684%.
Following is what makes up the general revenue tax levy:
General property tax levy: $3,586,002.
Economic Development Authority: $16,000, which was reinstated from past years.
General obligation refunding bonds 2012A: $343,771. This includes the $221,000 levy for the original construction of the sewer plant/system and the $122,771 levy for the original construction of the joint maintenance facility.
General obligation sewer revenue improvement bonds 2017A: $119,863. This was used for improvements to the sewer plant.
General obligation reconstruction bonds 2018A: $107,231. This was used to reconstruct Manhattan Point Boulevard.
General obligation capital improvement plan bonds Series 2019A: $312,985. This was used for construction of the new city hall and police facility.
In the budget, estimated revenue totals $7,216,232 and estimated expenditures total $8,494,923 in 2021.
No one from the public spoke during a public hearing - conducted both at city hall and online via Zoom before and during the council’s regular meeting - regarding the 2021 budget and general revenue tax levy. The city received one email with suggestions from resident Tom Swenson. The council’s regular meeting Monday also was conducted at city hall and online via Zoom, with all council members and staff attending in person at city hall.
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Waste hauler fees
The council approved the waste hauler licenses for 2021 for Pequot Lakes Sanitation, Waste Management of MN and Waste Partners. Haulers are required to obtain a license from the city and to provide curbside recycling to Crosslake customers.
The council did receive a letter from Pequot Lakes Sanitation questioning the basis for the city’s fee of $1,000 per year. The letter included fees from other communities, including $25 per vehicle for Crow Wing County, $25 for the first vehicle and $15 for each additional vehicle in Cass County, and $100 per year in both Pequot Lakes and Pine River. Breezy Point and Nisswa charge nothing.
Council member John Andrews said one reason for Crosslake’s higher license fee was the city wanted to keep waste haulers’ trucks coming through Crosslake at a minimum.
The city decided earlier this year to license haulers and require them to provide recycling services after the county closed many recycling centers in the county.
In other business Monday, the council:
Agreed to vacate a portion of a drainage and utility easement within the plat of Pioneer Addition to Crosslake after holding a public hearing.
Tabled an application to vacate a portion of Oak Street within the plat of Bower’s Point after holding a public hearing. Upon the city attorney’s recommendation, the council agreed to reconsider this in January and to update the ordinance.
Agreed to extend the lease for temporary housing of fire trucks and equipment through January while remodeling continues at the fire hall.
Learned police in November had 145 calls in Crosslake and 55 calls in Mission Township. Crosslake activity included 44 traffic stops, three traffic citations, one arrest, 23 emergency medical services calls, 13 agency assists, three suspicious activity and one each assault, theft and property damage accident. Mission Township activity included 35 traffic stops, four traffic citations, two arrests, one burglary and three agency assists.
Learned the fire department had 25 calls in November, including 19 EMS calls. North Ambulance had 73 calls in November.
Learned the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce is planning WinterFest on Feb. 4-6, which would include mostly outdoor activities. A new activity could be kite flying. The chamber also is planning a St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, March 13.
Agreed to close all city facilities Thursday, Dec. 24, including city hall, the community center and public works (except if there is a snowstorm). It does not include the police department.
Adopted the fee schedule for 2021.
Changed the city’s personnel committee to include the city administrator, the mayor and one council member on a 3-2 vote. Council members Dave Schrupp and John Andrews cast no votes. The committee currently includes the mayor, city administrator, one council member and a nonunion staff person.
Agreed to apply for the Transportation Alternative Program Grant for phase one of the city’s Pedestrian Mobility Improvement Plan.
Learned the city received six applications for city engineer, including several from out of the area; and two applications for city attorney, including one from out of the area. The council agreed to interview city engineer applicants online via Zoom.
Recognized Public Works Director Ted Strand for 20 years of service.
Held a closed meeting to discuss pending litigation regarding land acquisition on Perkins Road.
Nancy Vogt may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.
