HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-30 Truth in Taxation
CITY OF CENTERVILLE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING (Truth in Taxadon)
NOVEMBER 30,2005
6:30 p.m.
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof: the City of Centerville held their scheduled Truth in
Taxation meeting on November 30, 2005, at City Hall, 1880 Main Street.
STAFF:
Mayor Mary Capra
Council Member Lee
Council Member Lakso .. . ..... > ...
None. /]A rQ1 ~~;.lQ
City Attorney, Mr. Hoeft fl;I5B LF ~
Acting City Engineer, Mr. Schluender
City Administrator, Mr. Larson
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
L CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Capra called the November 30, 2005, City Centerville Truth in Taxation meeting
to order at 6:30 p.m.
m. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Truth in Taxation
Motion bv Cound Member I..ak..aa. seconded bv Cound Member Lee. to oDen the
Truth in TAXAtion Dubjie heariaS! at 6:32 D.m. AU in favor. Motjon carried
onAnimouslv.
Finance Director, John Meyer gave an overview of the 2006 budget.
Mary Pesha, 1745 Ojibwe Drive, stated that she moved to Centerville three years ago.
She stated that she lives in a 1,600 sq. ft. townhome and pays over $3,000 in property
taxes. She stated that she feels this is terrible compared to what other counties are paying
in property taxes. She stated that she would like to know why we are paying so much.
Mayor Capra stated that over $1,000 of the funding is for the school. She stated that we
are paying for levies that were approved by voters in the past.
Ms. Pesha asked how much remains on the levy.
Page 1 of3
Mayor Capra stated that she was unsure of the exact amount because the Council deals
specifically with the City portion. She recommended contacting the County Assessor,
Crystal Huss, 763-323-5486, to ask them to take a look at the property to see if it was
over valued. She also recommended taking a look at the Citizen's League website for
the 2005 ratings for County taxes to compare how Anoka County compares to others in
the State.
Ms. Pesha stated that she is concerned about when this increase will stop. She stated that
there are a lot of people who will not be able to afford to stay in their homes and will
move.
Donna Germain, 1548 Peltier Lake Drive, stated that she did not think: the tax statement
included the newest school levy amount. She stated that she has lived in Centerville for
30 years and has "gone around and around" with the assessors. She stated that although
she feh it was good to have them come out and take a look at the property, the reductions
they give are so minima.l, it really doesn't affect your taxes. She stated that she attended
tonight's meeting because Governor Pawlenty had encouraged people to attend. She
stated that it is such a struggle for people to keep their heads above water and it is very
expensive to live out here. She stated that she appreciates what the City has done, but
asked if there was anything that the City can do to encourage the County not to try to
meet the market expectations on house value.
City Administrator Larson stated that the County has an obligation to keep the average
sale ratio of homes above 9QOA>>.
Ms. Germain asked if taxes were ever frozen for senior citizens or people on fixed
incomes.
Council Member Terway stated that they are eligible for a refund, but their taxes do not
freeze.
City Administrator Larson stated that the State has a program where you can defer a
portion of your tax payments.
Mayor Capra stated that the Council has been working on ways to bring the tax rates
down, but it is a slow process, and a huge part of our taxes, right now, are the school
levies.
Mavis Giwoyna, 1873 Prairie Drive, stated that her taxes have increased in the last two
years by around $1,000. She stated that she lives in an 860 sq. ft. house. She stated that
she has lived in Centerville for 13 years and would like to know how long until the
school building levy is gone.
Mayor Capra stated that these are 30 year bonds.
Page 2 of3
Mayor Capra thanked the residents for attending and giving their input on the tax issue.
Motion bv CouncD Member Lee. seconde4 bv CouncU Member Terwav. to dose the
Truth in TAYAtion DubHe hearinl! at 7:15 D.m. AU in favor. Motion earned
onADimouslv.
Transcribed by:
Kayla Atkins Rokosz, Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
Page 3 of3