By Teri Knight, News Director
Northfield councilors indicated their preliminary tax levy preferences last night after a presentation by Administrator Martig. The choices, although they could change, were a 3.7%, 5.7% or 7.7% increase. While staff had been considering five new positions, Martig did not recommend adding employees except for the Project Coordinator position which is now mostly paid for by a McKnight Foundation grant. Martig explained, “the annual cost is about $105,000. We have $50,000 going into 2021 related to the McKnight grant and then we have $21,000 still left in designated reserves. So really the added impact beyond what’s already been appropriated is basically 6 months in a base amount, so about $34,000”. That would pay through 2021. He does recommend a 5.7% increase as baseline. Adding this morning, “our overall expenses in our General Fund are about about 1.9% but because of our other revenues being flat, we’re looking at that being made up more from our property taxes”. Predictably C. Zweifel and Peterson White would
choose the 7.7%, Nakasian, Grabau and Mayor Pownell prefer 5.7% and C. DeLong and Ness prefer 3.7%. Zweifel and Peterson White championed hiring a Spanish translator and continuing the Project Coordinator position held by Beth Kallestad. As for the EDA and the HRA, they all agreed to fund them at the maximum amount of 4% which amounts to just over $21,000 for the two authorities. Both the EDA and HRA support the business and residential community through various grant programs. Other items discussed include a local sales tax option, which couldn’t happen until 2022 at the earliest, possible franchise fees and using CARES funding to help reduce the levy. Martig explained this morning, “a portion of the intent of that recovery money from the federal government through the state is to also help stabilize the local governments”, he added, “what we’re looking at doing is setting aside a portion of that funding to help us on the recovery next year when we’re anticipating some of our state aids to be cut. That would be in addition to someo of those Reserve Funds we set aside”. Those Reserve Funds are $650,000. Martig was in studio this morning. That interview is HERE. The vote to set the Preliminary Levy takes place on September 15th. The presentation is in this Supplemental Memo: City Council Supplemental Agenda Background No 1 Memo for Septemeber 8 2020
Two Faribault men arrested on child pornography charges
Two Faribault men have been charged with possessing child pornography. A special agent with the BCA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a CyberTip from Kik Messenger. They tracked the email/username to 28 year old Slade David Moran. The images were of naked prepubescent girls in various poses. After a search of his home, Moran was charged on September 3rd with possessing pornographic work on his electronic device. Moran admitted to having a problem with pornography and was distraught because he believed that he would lose custody of his 4-year-old daughter. A forensic review of his phone located 1,970 images and 21 videos of child pornography. His first court appearance is October 7th. 46 year old Brian Roman Eggert is also charged with possessing pornographic work on his computer, his of a 16 year old girl. A review of Eggert’s criminal history shows that he is required to register as a predatory offender for life. His bail has been set at $30,000 with conditions. His court appearance is scheduled for September 16th.
Routine traffic stop leads to felony arrest
Drugs and a gun were found inside a vehicle after a routine traffic stop. On Saturday a Faribault police officer stopped a vehicle with faulty brake lights. After speaking with the driver, 50 year old Scott Hofius of Blooming Prairie, who was sweating profusely, he discovered that Hofius was driving with a revoked license and had been convicted of vehicle theft and 1st degree drugs. Calling for backup and placing Hofius in the back of his squad, the officer searched the vehicle and found an unloaded handgun, Hofius had 2 bullets in his pockets, 28 grams of methamphetamine and 16 grams of marijuana in vacuum sealed bags. Hofius is charged with 1st degree drugs, and two counts of firearm violation as a felon convicted of a violent crime. Bail has been set at $75,000 with conditions. His first court appearance is September 16th.
