City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 12/1/2020 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call Mayor Steve Washburn called the City Council budget information session to order at 6:30 p.m. on December 1, 2020 via Zoom. Council Members present: Washburn, Michael Walters, Deborah Everson, Adam Pawelk, and Lindsay Guetzkow. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran. 2. 2020 Budget & Levy Public Presentation 2.A. 2021 Budget And Levy Information Session Presentation City Administrator said the preliminary levy was adopted in September at just over 3%. Fineran explained that the taxable market value increase for Watertown has slowed compared to the past couple years coming in at around 3% rather than double digits. Fineran said the average valued home used in the presentation is a value of $233,826. Fineran urged residents to pay attention to the valuations on their tax statements that are set by the county. Residents can meet with the county to find out how those are set and if they feel they are too high or low. City Administrator Fineran said the net levy is $2,040,144 which is an increase of 5% from last year. The impact to the average valued home is $16.31 annually, or 1.2% increase from last year. Fineran shared notable spending initiatives for 2021: 3 full time police patrol, on duty fire station crew, code enforcement, pavement maintenance program and investment in staff development. The larger projects the City will be investing in for 2021 include: a 1-ton dump truck, Sugarbush Park & Trail Improvements, Madison Street Trail extension, Fire rescue boat replacement, year 5 of street Mill & Overlay Program. Fineran said there are a total of 27 projects planned for 2021 in all departments across the City totaling $1,642,597. Fineran shared a summary budget of revenues and expenditures planned for 2021 along with the proposed utility rates. Council Member Walters commended the Council and staff for being fiscally responsible while budgeting for 2021. 2.A.i. 2021 Draft Budget Documents 3. Adjournment Mayor Washburn adjourned the meeting at 6:56 pm.  2.A.i. 2021 Draft Budget Documents 3. Adjournment Mayor Washburn adjourned the meeting at 6:56 pm. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388