Posted: 10/1/03

Linwood levy takes 2% hit

Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

Like other Minnesota cities and townships, Linwood received news from the Minnesota Property Tax Division of a market value credit cut for 2003 and 2004.

Market value tax credits are part of the levy being paid by the state instead of taxpayers that began for taxes payable in 2002. These cuts mean the township will not receive all the tax levied ìbecause the state is not reimbursing the full amount of what was credited to the taxpayer.î

The advice given by the state property tax division to make up the lost state reimbursement is to add it back onto the township levy, the town board learned at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

In Linwood this reduces the amount of the return for 2003 by $20,834, a two percent reduction.

This reduces the townshipís expected fund balance at the end of 2003 from $925,084 to $904,250. Additional cuts of three percent for 2004 amount to $31,251.

When the budget and levy information was presented at the town meeting in March, supervisors proposed budgeted expenditures for 2004 of $1,242,166 and a levy of $1,138,000.

Before presenting this to residents at the continuation of the annual meeting in August, supervisors reduced this by $100,000, eliminating a planned contribution to a capital building fund.

The proposed levy of $1,038,000 was less than one percent higher than the 2003 levy of $1,031,677.

At the continuation of the annual township meeting meeting on Aug. 12, Linwood residents approved a levy of $900,000 for 2004.

The levy was $138,000 less than the $1,038,000 requested by the town board. About 40 residents of the 2,774 registered voters in the township attended.

The projected fund balance at the end of 2003, before the state cuts was $925,084.

Now this is $904,250.

Budgeted expenditures proposed for 2004 total $1,242,166.

With the $900,000 levy, if no changes are made in spending, there would be a total fund balance at the end of 2004 of $562,084, instead of the originally anticipated $1,009,868.

In addition, the township faces a reduction of $31,251 of the 2004 levy so it may only receive $878,749.

Supervisors already know some programs will have to be sacrificed. Employee costs are already low and there are few township employees.

The town board is faced with the possibility of a new roof for the town hall. The only road projects to be completed are those started. Nothing new is planned now.

Levy certification must take place before Dec. 29, 2003.

The only way the levy amount of $900,000 can be adjusted upward before this date is for a special township meeting to adopt a revised levy before the deadline.

After the meeting, Supervisor Marie Holm said several cuts were discussed, but no plans were made yet to schedule a special meeting.

Right now the board will see where it is at the end of the year and try to make some adjustments at the beginning of 2004.

After reviewing the quote for repairs on the roof of the town hall, supervisors requested an estimate to replace the roof.

The price seemed high for the repairs, so the board decided to check on cost of total replacement.

Other business

In other business on Sept. 23, the board:

ïAccepted the bid by Allied Blacktop Co. in the amount of $14,605 for crack filling and joint repair on streets.

ïBy unanimous vote, passed a resolution establishing First State Bank of Wyoming as the township financial institution.

ïDenied a request for variance of a lot-line setback for Robert Cartier, with the findings of fact there is no hardship to the land, there are alternatives for him to build on his combined lots without necessitating a variance.

ïApproved the final plat on the Ridges Addition.

ïApproved an interim use permit for Kristy Mann to place a mobile home on her property to assist aging parents.

ïAuthorized Town Board Chair Mel Pfaffendorf and Clerk Judy Hanna to sign the Oak Wilt agreement.

ïReceived documentation from the industrial safety training coordinator at Anoka-Hennepin Technical College that Ray Broadbent has completed Defensive Driving/Accident Avoidance Training for Heavy Trucks.

ïLearned from Supervisor Mike Budde that after complaints about a messy yard on 227th and Elbe, the appearance of the lot has improved.

In other September business, the board:

ïBy unanimous 4-0 vote, reinstated Kevin Glazek as a member of the Linwood Fire Department after a yearís leave of absence.

ïAt Fire Chief Gabrickís request and advice of Attorney Gerald Randall, directed a letter to be sent to Ken Minske, directed to use the same auditor as the township.

ïVoted to stay with the established road plan

ïTabled final decisions about cul-de-sac amendment, sidewall heights, and code book for the next meeting.

ïSet the holiday dates for the 2004 township calendar.

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