Last night the Northfield City Council voted unanimously to pass a budget for 2022 totaling just over $11.8 million. The tax levy
accompanying the budget is an increase of 11.6% over 2021.
The large increase in the levy is tied to what the city has deemed to be necessary staffing improvements. After a wage and benefit study was done last year, Northfield was found to be below many comparable cities in compensation for city staff. The recommended changes ae being put into effect to stay competitive in a worker’s job market. The city is also adding six brand new full-time positions, two in the Engineering Department, two in the Community Development Department and two in the Police Department, including a new patrol officer position. And two part-time employees, the city translator and the Northfield Public Broadcasting Station Manager are going full-time.
The Truth in Taxation public hearing did not attract as many people who wanted to address the council as expected, but the people who did speak talked about the burden of property taxes on those in the working class and on fixed incomes. While the council was not unsympathetic to those concerns, Councilor Brad Ness, and City Director of Finances Brenda Angelstad both pointed out that the average household would see an increase of $77, or about $6.50 a month.
Many councilors acknowledged the regressive nature of property taxes and lamented the double-digit increase. Councilor Jessica Peterson White summed up the general tone of the meeting saying the investments being made in the coming budget are for the greater good of the city and should ensure that the city does not see another tax increase such as this one any time soon.
Lippert and Draheim both have ideas about the budget surplus
Yesterday Minnesota Management and Budget released a new state budget forecast showing a projected budget surplus of approximately
$7.7 billion, the largest in state history.
State Representative Todd Lippert immediately released a statement saying he would like to see the surplus used to even out the economic recovery that, he says, has helped some Minnesotans more than others.
“The latest budget forecast is good news for Minnesotans, but as we’ve seen throughout this pandemic, the economic recovery on paper is not necessarily being felt by everyone in our community. When we return to the Minnesota Legislature in January, it’ll be our responsibility to ensure that we use this unique opportunity to support the working families that are driving this recovery by expanding economic opportunity and building a sustainable future for all in our state.”
Republicans, meanwhile, immediately called for tax relief in the face of such a sizable balance in the state’s coffers. Senator Rich Draheim said on his Facebook page that the strong economic forecast means the state should do more for small businesses by doing less.
“I continue to hear from renters and housing providers that they are struggling to make ends meet. It is essential now, more than ever, that we have more money going directly into [Minnesotans’] pockets rather than going into the hands of the government. I will continue to fight hard to lower taxes and ensure small businesses and families can financially recover and prosper.”
Among the Republican suggestions for use of the money is repaying the state’s debt to the federal government for covering unemployment insurance payments, and thereby avoiding a stiff payroll tax increase. Democrats, meanwhile, have been holding out for an increase to the $250 million fund for bonuses paid to front line workers during the pandemic. In discussions since the end the legislative session last June, legislators have not been able to come to an agreement on who should receive the bonus payments, and how much they should be paid. A larger pool, theoretically, would make those decisions easier.
The MMB forecast was just the first of three that will be released in the next few months, showing the financial health of the state. The next forecast will be due in February.
Winter Walk driven by volunteers
Northfield’s 22nd Winter Walk is set for Thursday night, organized as always by the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce. The event has
expanded by one block, this year, running from 8th Street to 2nd Street, which is indicative of the turnout expected after a year off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jane Bartho, the Chamber Director of Membership and Events, estimates there will be as many as 70 different volunteers taking part this year, helping with everything from entertainment to clean-up.
Bartho said a significant number of students always help out. This year she said, there are 20 members of the National Honor Society from Northfield High School who have volunteered to help with luminaries, and to serve as elves and other holiday characters on Bridge Square.
Members of the St. Olaf College Student Support Services saw an opportunity to get involved through the Volunteer Hub on the Northfield Shares website and will be helping people get on an off the horse drawn wagons.
Bartho said there are entertainers who are donating time and performances this year. Northfield’s I Cantante Choir will be roving the streets singing carols, several church choirs will be singing throughout the event, and the library will host at any given time, Patrick O’Loughlin and David Haugen-Eitzman, a ukulele play along with organizers from the Hot Spot, St. Olaf’s A capella group The Limestones, and the Northfield Handbell Ensemble. And Northfield Middle Schoolers will be singing on the showmobile stage, with the 6th grade singing at 5:00, the 7th grade singing at 6:00, and the 8th grade singing at 7:00.
Bartho said there is another well-known-but-anonymous volunteer she is hopeful to see.
“There’s this mysterious trumpet player. He comes back independently, and just shows up and plays carols up and down the street all during Winter Walk. So, I’m really hoping [he’ll be back this year.”]
Other volunteers include Northfield Firefighters who will be hosting Santa Claus himself on one of the fire trucks, and members of the Northfield Public Works Department who will bring the painted snowplows to the event.
Winter Walk is set for tomorrow night at 5pm.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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