Northfielders are poised to see a double digit increase in the city portion of their property taxes next year. The increase reflects wage and
benefit increases for city staff, as well as several new full-time positions that would be created in the 2022 budget.
Last year the city commissioned a wage and benefit study comparing the city’s pay scale to other Minnesota cities of the same size. The study found Northfield to be lagging behind most other cities. City Administrator Ben Martig has said the decision to increase wages and benefits is an effort to remain competitive in a strengthening worker’s market. Martig also said the increase puts Northfield around the average pay scale for comparable cities.
The city has proposed the creation of five new full-time positions in the new budget, and the ascension of two part-time positions to full-time. The Public Works Department would like to add a full time Horticulturist. For many years, the city been the beneficiary of the Northfield Garden Club, especially its driving force Judy Code, but that is no longer seen as a sustainable situation, and the city will require someone to maintain the plants, flowers and landscape beds downtown and in the city parks. A new civil engineer is needed in the engineering department, as the workload has become too much for just two full-time city engineers. The same issue exists in the Community Development Department, where the city planning workload has grown exponentially without the addition of new staff. At the same time, the city is absorbing much of the responsibilities previously handled by the executive director of the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation. As that position has been vacated, a new hire is required. Additionally, a new patrol officer position is required according to a recent study done on the Northfield Police Department.
Two part-time positions, the Northfield Public Broadcasting Station Manager and the City Translator, have both been found to require more hours. The two people in those positions, Sam Temple of NPB and city translator Claudia Garcia are both highly effective city employees, and there is a strong desire to maximize the things they can do for Northfield by making their positions full-time.
In September, the City Council set the preliminary tax levy at 15%, and since then the number has been adjusted down to 11.6% with use of funds received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. A public hearing on the budget and levy has been scheduled for the next regular council meeting, which will be next Tuesday, December 7th, at 6pm in the Council Chambers. Following the hearing, the council will have the final budget debate and discussion. They will then vote to set the budget for next year.
Laura Baker looking at a program expansion campaign
Laura Baker Services Association will host its 26th annual gala on Saturday night. The fundraiser will return as an in-person event this year after running as a virtual event in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The gala is Laura Baker’s largest annual fundraiser, and this year those funds are more important than ever.
LBSA Director of Community Relations, Andrei Sivanich, said the next two years will see an extra push on fundraising for multiple reasons. The pandemic has made things difficult for just about everybody, but long-term care facilities and organizations that care for the mentally disabled like Laura Baker have had an especially tough time. Sivanich said LBSA is entering into a period of program expansion in order to solidify its future.
“We’re doing a program expansion campaign, so we’re actually raising additional money to expand programs. Unfortunately, a lot of organizations like Laura baker have not survived the pandemic and have closed their doors this year. We’re actually trying to be proactive and trying to do some expansion of programs to help us create some long-term sustainability.”
Sivanich said they are getting more inquiries as other facilities close, but unfortunately, they are at full capacity due to staffing issues. Additional funds will help LBSA fill in some of the voids that have occurred, and it will help them expand capacity.
Sivanich said the organization is very happy to be back at Carleton with guests for an in-person event, but because last year’s virtual event was such a success, and with Covid concerns still lingering, the organization has decided to broadcast the event so people can attend from home if they so wish.
The live dinner event, which will be held at Carleton College, is sold out, but tickets to attend virtually are both free and available. Virtual attendees will see the speakers and learn about all the services Laura Baker provides. They will also be able to participate in both the silent and live auctions from the comfort of their living room sofa, as well as the Fund-A-Cause event that is the hallmark of the Laura Baker Gala.
Those attending the live event are reminded that full vaccination for Covid-19 is required for everyone in attendance. Carleton College requires masking indoors of all attendees regardless of vaccination status. Masks may be removed during eating and drinking, however, must be put back on during other non-eating or drinking times. Masks will be provided at the check-in area for anyone who does not have one.
The live broadcast will begin on Saturday night at 7:45. For more information on the services LBSA provides, and to register to attend the event virtually, visit laurabaker.org.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Laura Baker Services Association Director of Community Relations Andrei Sivanich can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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