by Dennis Dalman
For the second consecutive year, the average Sartell homeowner and business owner will see a zero tax-rate increase for 2023 – unless the market value of their property increases.
At its Aug. 29 meeting, the Sartell City Council unanimously approved a budget and preliminary levy for next year. The final approval will be considered by the council at a Dec. 12 public hearing at City Hall.
Sartell Finance Director Rob Voshell shared a few highlights of the budget and levy at the Aug. 29 council meeting.
The total general fund for next year is $6,769,650, an increase of 8.5 percent from this year.
The proposed levy for 2023 is $9,219,650, an increase of 17.2 percent from this year.
The city’s net tax capacity is estimated to increase also by 17.2 percent. The city’s net tax capacity this year increased by 6.2 percent and 4.3 percent the year before.
Voshell noted the general-fund levy is increasing to cover the costs of an additional police officer, for fire-marshal succession planning and for cost-of-living and longevity increases throughout all city departments. The Street Capital Expenditure Fund will increase to fund more road-maintenance projects next year and to cover debt-service payments on the city’s 2002 street projects.
