The financial future for the City of Crookston dominated discussions during Monday night’s Ways & Means Committee meeting. The meeting opened with the approval of the November 13 meeting report and then transitioned into the five-year capital improvement plan. The plan proposed $14,287,600 in capital improvements, which City Administrator Shannon Stassen explained is a forecast of projects that may need to be completed within the next five years.
“Every department puts forward their projected needs and it’s a very fluid document which is needed for good planning,” said Stassen. “Sometimes you can extend the life of equipment or put off certain projects based on priorities or needs as you get closer to them.”
No action was taken on the capital plan. The 2019 proposed budget and final levy were also discussed during the meeting. Staff is recommending the proposed levy be lowered when action is taken at the next Ways & Means meeting on December 10 explained Stassen.
“Staff is recommending the levy be reduced from 7.5 percent to 5 percent.” Stassen added, “When we say that it doesn’t mean people’s taxes would go up 5 percent, we are levying for 5% of a very small percent of our total operating revenue.”
Action to approve or amend the capital improvement plan, 2019 budget and final levy will be taken following the Truth in Taxation meeting on December 10.
CROOKSTON WAYS AND MEANS TO DISCUSS BUDGET
