By now, all of our local government bodies have set their preliminary tax levies, and residents have an idea of what could come down the pipeline when December rolls around.

On the city level, the Albert Lea City Council approved a preliminary 2 percent preliminary tax levy during its Sept. 10 meeting. If approved in December, the increase would cover cost of living and insurance increases, utility costs and compensation costs, according to city officials.

However, since the city’s tax base has grown 4 percent since last year, most Albert Leans may not see a city tax increase, said City Manager Chad Adams.

City councilors requested city staff to work to reduce the levy before the final December vote.

If approved, this would be the first time in six years for the operating levy to increase, while the debt service levy is expected to decrease.

On the county side, the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary 4.8 percent tax levy increase during its Sept. 18 meeting. That increase would cover personnel, cost of living and insurance increases; the cost of the money spent from reserves on the Quorum Health Resources LLC study into the feasibility of a second provider in Albert Lea; construction at the Grandstand at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds; demolition of the Oakland School; and replacement of road and bridge funding reserves.

Like with the city, these city numbers can be reduced in December when the final levies are voted on, but they cannot be increased higher.

We encourage residents to talk to their councilor or commissioner about their thoughts of the levy increases and the impact they would have.

The affects of these levy increases are complicated because of issues such as tax base and property valuation, and people would be impacted differently.

If you don’t agree with these preliminary levy increases, use the next few months to lobby for something different. Be willing to offer solutions for how to make up for certain parts of the budget if you want something cut, and don’t wait until the last minute to bring up concerns.