December 2011 Gem Lake Newsletter

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December, 2011 Volume 5, Issue 10 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • 2012 Budget Approved • Hunting Ordinance Revised • New Heritage Hall Sign Installed • City News Page 4 Upcoming Recycling Dates: December 14 December 28 January 11 January 25 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor Hunting will now be permitted under some circumstances on private property in Gem Lake, as long as well defined steps and procedures are met. This is due to changes made in the city's safety ordinance that pertains to the discharge of weapons within the city. The conditions under which limited hunting (bow only) would be allowed are spelled out in Ordinance #124, which now deals also with hunting on private property in Ordinance Section 4. This section spells out exemptions from state and county laws about when a weapon can be discharged for purposes of hunting. If you want to hunt on private property in our fair city, a number of rules must be followed. (continued page 3) Hunting Ordinance Gets a Second Look 2012 Budget Holds the Line on Expenses/Prop. Taxes The Gem Lake City Council approved the official 2012 city budget after a public hearing on the subject on November 15. The good news is that the total property tax levy is down significantly from the year before, increasing the chances that the city portion of property tax bills may drop for individual homeowners in the city. (The city's portion of your tax bill makes up just over 20% of the total property tax bill.) The total budgeted expenditure for 2012 will be $623,942, a 2.48 increase over 2011. The total budget includes the General Fund Operating budget, as well as things like the sewer fund. The General Fund Operating Budget will be $419,387, which is a 1.85% increase over 2011. The total property tax levy of $273,472 is a decrease of 14.60% from the 2011 tax levy. (continued on page 2)