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To the opening of Albert Lea Specialty Medical Services provided by the Mason City Clinic.

Congratulations to Mason City Clinic, which this week celebrated the opening of Albert Lea Specialty Medical Services with a ribbon cutting in a portion of the former Herberger’s building.

The clinic will provide specialty services in four areas: urology; podiatry; ear, nose and throat; and psychiatry.

We know that the service will be much appreciated by many in the community and provide expanded access to these area to residents in a climate of shrinking rural health care.

To potential big levy increases at the local level.

The Albert Lea City Council approved its preliminary levy and budget on Monday, and the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve its preliminary levy at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday.

There’s some relatively hefty increases being proposed thus far, though we know work can still be done to bring them down before the end of the year.

At the city level, the council approved a 4.98% preliminary increase in the general fund levy, and with the debt levy, it approved a 10.77% increase.

The total levy would be at about $8.9 million, including $6.11 million for the general fund levy and $2.98 million for the debt levy.

The largest increase in the general fund comes from personnel costs, and in the debt levy, the majority of the increase comes from the recreational facilities changes approved in the referendum.

According to the city, the preliminary increases would equate to an increase of $69.01 per year — or $5.75 per month — for a $100,000 home. Multiply that by two if you own a $200,000 home or three if you own a $300,000 home.

At the county, the preliminary levy is proposed at 8.92%.

We hope that city and county staff and both the council and county board continue to look at ways to save money as they finalize the budget and levy before December.

Has it come time to cut services somewhere?

Is every position being maximized to its fullest potential?

While we recognize the rising cost of everything from employees to equipment and supplies — and we continue to support the improvements of the referendum — the proposed numbers are a big pill to swallow.