by Rich Larson
As the 2022 Northfield budget slowly begins to take shape, City Administrator Ben Martig said a key deadline is on the horizon
at the end of the month that will give Northfielders an idea of what things will look like next year.
The city council is required by state statute to set a preliminary tax levy before the end of September. The number the council sets will be the maximum amount the levy would increase next year; however, the council is allowed to set the final levy at a number smaller than that.
Martig said things are behind schedule by about a month this year because of labor negotiations that were slower than expected. With those negotiations concluded, he said, the city has now been able to estimate the wage cost expenses for next year. He said that number, along with the results of a benefit analysis that was done earlier in the year and some other staffing requirements that come into play, brings the city’s minimum levy increase to 11.8%.
Additionally, there are other staffing options to take into consideration as well, including the addition of one more police officer. There are also need in the public works and engineering departments, the community development department, and the communications department. Adding every position each department has asked for, said Marting would add an additional 4% to the levy, bringing the total to 15.9%.
The council discussed these options, and the numbers that go along with them, during their work session on Tuesday night. The direction that discussion took showed that most members are leaning toward setting the preliminary levy at or around 15%, with a strong preference to finding ways to make the final number smaller.
Martig said there are many different factors that will contribute to shrinking the preliminary setting.
“This is definitely outside of the norm. As a preliminary levy, it’s pretty common though that we drop that down. So, I anticipate that there will be work and some changes coming likely to impact that levy. Looking at some reserve funds, and we have some federal funds to work with, so we’ll probably be doing a lot more public education in November than maybe we would do, depending on what changes the council makes.”
The council is expected to vote on the preliminary tax levy at their regular meeting next week.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig can be heard here
Hispanic Heritage Celebration set for Saturday at Central Park
And yesterday was the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The thirty-day national observance is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Latinx and Hispanic Americans have made to this country throughout its history, and to learn about and celebrate the rich Latin culture through learning opportunities, performances and presentations.
Central Park will host Northfield’s 4th annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration, sponsored by the Northfield Public Library, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature food, music, art, dance and family-oriented activities. The day will host the capstone event for this year’s installation of Spanish Sidewalk Poetry and a mural will be created during the festivities to be featured during the Library’s Day of the Dead celebration in November.
The Northfield Public Library Outreach Coordinator, Angelica Linder, said food trucks will be on hand representing cuisine from Venezuela, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Imminent Brewing has created a special beer for the day and will donate one dollar from every beer sold to go to the celebration next year.
Attendees will be able to hear live music from Mariachi Mi Tierra and Malamanya. There will also be a number of dance troupes to provide both entertainment and instruction, including Kuyayki Peru, Zorongo Flamenco and Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca.
Linder said the presence of Zorongo Flamenco alone is reason enough for people to come.
“They came last year for a virtual event, and they were amazing. Just breathtaking. There are opportunities for these kinds of things, where you would have to pay to go and see them. But here in Northfield…we bring this high-quality art expression to everyone for free. So, you can’t miss it.”
Priority parking and seating through the Red Chair Project for older adults and persons with limited mobility will be provided by Age Friendly Northfield, the First UCC Church and FiftyNorth.
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15th. The Northfield Public Library will be hosting in depth programming on Latino history and culture throughout the rest of September and October. Linder said to watch the library’s website, which is mynpl.org for details.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
