City Council Worksession

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 7/14/2020 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call Steve Washburn called the workshop to order at 5:30 pm on July 14, 2020. Council Members present: Washburn, Deborah Everson, Lindsay Guetzkow, and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran. 2. New Business 2.I. Election Meeting Dates & 2021 Budget Development Discussion City Administrator Fineran updated the Primary Election will be Tuesday August 11 th and the General Election will be Tuesday November 3 rd . Fineran shared that the first half tax settlement has been received from Carver County. He feels the outlook during the pandemic is stable. The two metrics being measured is the utility uncollectible rate as well as the tax uncollectible rate. The taxes collected represent 54% of the budgeted amount for the year. Fineran explained we would anticipate at least 50% being collected at this point, so the city is in a good position. Fineran shared preliminary data provided by Carver County. Market value for Watertown is estimated at an increase of 2.88%. This is made up of both market change and new construction. Fineran noted this is not as large of an increase as it has been the past couple years. He shared with council the budget schedule for the remainder of the year. Guetzkow asked about commercial improvements for Stonwerk and Hecksel and when they would be reflected on the tax levy. Fineran said the impact is delayed a couple years. Everson asked if there has been communication from the State of Minnesota regarding LGA. Fineran said there has not been information released on LGA yet. Washburn asked council where their goal for levy increase is for 2021. Guetzkow would like to see it flat for 2021. Everson said between 1-3% and Pawelk agreed. Washburn asked what the city is doing to encourage residents to complete the Census for 2020. He feels it is important for Watertown since we are reaching the 5,000-population threshold. Fineran said there are opportunities available to advertise the Census. Everson reported that Watertown has a 74% completion rate for the Census. 3. Adjournment  there are opportunities available to advertise the Census. Everson reported that Watertown has a 74% completion rate for the Census. 3. Adjournment Washburn adjourned the workshop at 6:02 p.m. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388