Mayor and City Council Welcome Citizen Input on the City Budget

There will be an informational meeting on the 2012 City of Northfield budget and tax levy on Monday, November 14, 7:00 p.m. Then, on December 14, 7:00 p.m. the city council will hold a public hearing on the budget and levy. Both meetings will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers. The city council will take formal action on these two important decisions in December.

There are no major increases or decreases in services in the proposed budget, with the exception of street repairs. Despite a reduction of $1.6 million in the state Local Government Aid during the past few years, the city has kept services level by cost-cutting and redesign of service delivery.

The council is currently working to reduce the property tax levy before final adoption in December. As required by state law, they adopted a preliminary tax levy in September. The notice property owners will receive in November from the county will show a higher property tax level than most likely be approved by the city in December because of the work the council is now doing to reduce costs as they set the final budget.

The city’s budget and property tax information is available at the Northfield Public Library, City Hall Finance Department and on the city web site: www.cinorthfield.mn.us.