The Minonk City Council approved an increase in
the property tax levy. City Administrator Trent
Smith said as required by law,
under the Truth in Taxation Act, the City must announce its projected
property
tax levy at a public hearing if it will be 105%, or more, of the
previous year’s
operating levy.
Last year’s property tax extension for operating funds was
$320,246. This year’s operating funds
levy request is $368,659 or a 15.1174% increase in actual monies
requested. This increase is a factor of
keeping the tax rate consistent while the assessed valuation of properties
continues to increase. The tax rate has
actually dropped in previous years. The new tax levy will increase the city property tax on a $150,000 home by $43.
The taxable assessment has increased 9.28% in spite of an
owner occupied exemption increase from $3500 to $5000 and a homestead exemption
increase from $2000 to $3000. This means
that the new homes and businesses are being included in the assessment thus
spreading out the tax burden.
While the revenues and expenditures have increased over
15%, the actual total tax rate has only increased 5.34% in Operating and only
3.65% in total. This is mostly due to increases in liability insurance costs,
audit costs and ambulance costs combined with cost of living increases.
There were no comments from the
public at the public hearing on the tax levy prior to the city council meeting.
Approve TIF money for Motel 6
The city council approved the payment of a third installment of $10,000
to the owners of Motel 6 from the TIF I Fund for interest costs to meet
the eligibility requirements for
TIF funding. The council had previously agreed to a grant
of $30,000 to the motel and this represents the final installment.
The Motel 6 was required each year to submit a request for
the funding which they have done. Last
year they were asked to confirm their occupancy rates. From November 2004 to October 2005 they had
7808 rooms. The motel owners indicated that the occupancy is getting
better, but they are still at about the break-even point.
Audit Discussion
Mayor Koos said that the city must start to watch its overhead expenses. One thing that was spelled out in the annual audit is that 50% of
the revenue comes from property taxes and the balance is from sales tax, income
tax, utility tax, and other taxes. The
cost of running the City of Minonk is falling on the property tax and the
burden is still on the property owners.
The mayor indicated that he will set
forth some ideas at the January 6th meeting to find better use of the city's money as well as trying to control
some of the costs that are increasing faster than our revenue.
Zoning Board Recommendation
The council approved a change in an ordinance addressing holiday trailers. The ordinance specified that no
occupied or unoccupied Manufactured Home shall be
permitted on any lot or tract of land in any Residential District except;
1. One travel trailer coach or camper, which may be parked on a
lot of an occupied dwelling, but shall not be connected to utilities
for the purpose of habitation.
2. A travel trailer coach or
camper of bona fide guest of an occupant of a dwelling, located on that
occupant’s lot or tract of land, which shall be for a stay of temporary
duration which, shall not exceed thirty days within a twelve-month
period.
Further, that Ordinance 2000-08, SECTION 17.00.05
Definitions be amended to change "Structure" to read in its entirety as follows: anything constructed, erected or placed,
which has a location in or on the ground or
constructed on skids.
"Structure" shall not include:
-
Mailboxes, unless incorporated in a structure which requires a permit
- Trees and shrubbery
Any structure larger than 160 square feet must be supported by and secured to concrete foundation.
Committee Reports
Public Works - Alderman Steve Maddox reported that we need to
start looking for a new salt truck as our present one is basically beyond
repair because of rust and corrosion.
The truck is from the 80’s and we are also having problems with the hydraulic
pump on the spreader itself.
He also
reported that the City was ready to start interviews for the Ambulance Squad Chief
on Tuesday December 6, 2005.
Public Safety - Mayor
Koos reported that the City has received a number ofapplicants for the
new Ambulance Chief position and those interviews will be will
be starting on December 6, 2005.
Economic Development - Alderman Buchanan reported that he was looking at the second week in January 2006 for
having a meeting with the racetrack developers to find out what was going on from their end. It will be either on
January 10, 2006 or January 12, 2006.
City Administrator Comments:
1. We
have had a lot of interest in the EMS Ambulance Chief position. To date, I have spoken with seven individuals
including four paramedics.
The committee
will be starting the interview process tomorrow to determine technical and
management skill and will make a short list for a second interview before the
entire council.
2. Reported
that he and Charlie McGuire will be required to testify in a jury trial scheduled
to begin in Eureka on March 20, 2006.
The City’s insurance company is suing Com Ed for reimbursement of
$92,000 in claims they paid to the City for pump damage in Well #3 because of
an electrical short caused by a worn spot on an overhead Com Ed supply line.
3. With the salt truck, we will start looking for
another one. We have $12,500 in reserve
plus another $5000 that was going to be put in reserve this year for a plow
truck.
Other Business
Glennda Weers was appointed to the
Minonk Recreation Board.