The Nisswa City Council adopted a total 2021 preliminary levy of $3,090,881, or 3% more than this year’s levy of $2,465,015.

Council member Don Jacobson said his goal is to lower that increase to zero percent before final adoption of the tax levy and budget in December.

The preliminary number adopted Wednesday, Sept. 16, includes:

• General property tax levy: $2,538,900.

• General obligation street reconstruction bond for the County Road 18/Highway 371 realignment project: $91,067.

• General obligation capital improvement plan bond for the city hall building: $186,076.

• General obligation street reconstruction bond for various road improvements: $274,838.

Cities must approve a preliminary tax levy by Sept. 30, and the county uses that number to send proposed 2021 property tax statements in November. However, preliminary levies can be lowered, but not raised, before final adoption in December.
The council will hold its truth in taxation meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, for the public to ask questions about the proposed final budget and tax levy. The council likely would then approve the 2021 budget and levy at its 7 p.m. meeting that night.

Council meeting night to change

After a couple residents asked the council in July to change its monthly meeting night from Wednesday, saying people can’t attend because Wednesdays are considered a night for church activities, the council unanimously agreed to do so.

Starting in 2021, the council will meet at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month.

Jacobson said he was reluctant to make this major change with few people responding to a city survey on the issue. But because no one on the council had a problem with changing the meeting night, he said if the change makes some people happy, he was willing to try it.

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.