Public invited to council meeting to share input

Community members are invited to attend the Albert Lea City Council meeting on Monday to share their input about the proposed budget and tax levy for 2015.

The City Council in September approved a preliminary 3 percent overall tax levy increase, but that will likely be reduced, said City Manager Chad Adams. Because of additional projected revenue, he said administration is now proposing a 2.18 percent levy increase.

This would cover bond payments for infrastructure projects completed this year, including the street improvements in the north industrial park and the neighborhood improvement project in the 3rd Ward. There would not be an increase in the operating levy.

Adams said for a $100,000 home, this equates to a $12 increase in taxes for the year.

He said he will be recommending an overall general fund budget of $14.9 million and an overall levy of $5.96 million, which includes $1.2 million for the debt service levy.

Still to be decided is whether the Albert Lea Public Library will be reopened on Fridays. Adams said the cost is not yet included in the budget but would likely only be $18,000 or less because Freeborn County has committed to paying one-third of the cost of the Friday library hours.

At the meeting the council will also vote on a property tax levy of $109,000 for the Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority and a proposed 2.25 percent cost of living increase in 2015 for non-union employees. This is in line with the other unions in the city and with the increase for Freeborn County employees as well.