Tuesday night, the Park Rapids Council approved a proposed levy increase of 7.4 percent for property taxes payable in 2008.
The total levy would be approximately $1.6 million, or $119,000 more than for 2007.
Of the total, $1.26 million goes to the general fund and $348,900 will be used to pay down debt on general obligation bonds.
Once the levy is set, the council can lower, but cannot increase the amount.
Roughly two-thirds of the general fund budget is for police.
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The council did not discuss the proposed levy or budget Tuesday night, but scheduled a truth in taxation hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.
In other action Tuesday night, the council:
n Approved the preliminary plat of Park Plaza, the 16.3-acre development south of state Highway 34 and north of Co. Rd. 107. A developer's agreement must be drafted and submitted with the final plat and all lots must be served with city sewer and water. At the developer's expense, sewer and water will be extended from city services, which currently end on Career Path north of Highway 34 near the AmericInn, south and east along Co. Rd. 107.
The council also approved conditional use permits to construct a 30,8000-square-foot office complex and 51,325-square-foot retail mall on the site.
n Approved John Rhoades' preliminary plat of River's Edge Estates, nine residential lots on 36 acres east of Fish Hook Avenue, south of 8th Street and west of Eastern Avenue South. The plans call for a twinhome development.
n Approved Gerald Reese's preliminary plat of Towering Pines Addition, east of Western Avenue south, south of 1st Street West (Highway 34) and north of 8th Street West. The property is approximately 6.72 acres. The plat depicts 12 residential lots. The applicant's plan also is for this subdivision to be a twinhome development.
n Approved Lance Larson's preliminary plat for Valhalla 1st Addition, east of Western Avenue South, south of 1st Street West (Highway 34) and north of 8th Street West. This property is approximately 13.16 acres with 11 residential lots depicted on 4.5 acres of the development. The plat shows a general layout of how the rest of the property will be subdivided in the future.
n Approved a conditional use permit for Hubbard County to operate a transfer station, recycling center and landfill on the 60-acre property east of Henrietta Avenue South.
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The property is part of the orderly annexation agreement between the city and Henrietta Township. In the township, the transfer station was a nonconforming use. Now that the property is under the city's zoning control the use is listed as a conditional use.
City planner Mike Strodtman said the permit was necessary because the county plans to remodel and put additions on the main transfer station building.
The council approved the permit with conditions, including one that requires that all loose garbage which has blown around must be picked up a minimum of once a week.
n Approved the first reading of amendments to the sign ordinance.
n Approved a refund of $196.50 for the building permit and $170.30 of the plan review fee to the school district for the installation of a wind turbine at Century School. The city building inspector will donate the sum of $500 from his portion of the fees also, according to city planner Mike Strodtman. The portion of $31 that must be paid to the state as a surcharge will not be refunded.
n Approved the purchase of 2.5 acres needed for a retention basin to handle water runoff from Pleasant Avenue and the Grell development (LarMac). The purchase price will be based on an appraisal, but the estimated cost could be close to $45,000 ($18,000 an acre), according to city administrator Brian Weuve.
LarMac will be responsible for any future water retention requirements.
n Approved advertising for a new tanker truck for the fire department. Bids received in April were rejected because of the cost.
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n Approved an amendment to include tax sharing requirements and reimbursement schedule for the Mud Lake annexations.
n Learned the seven-block alley improvement project is scheduled to start next week.
n Learned the Aug. 27 storm Aug. 27 damaged one of the city's irrigators in Straight River Township. A proposal to replace the system is cheaper than to repair it. The information has been turned over the insurance company.
n Appointed Jill Johnson to serve on the Park Rapids Library Board.
n Received the monthly building permit report showing $778,00 in permits were issued in August for a year-to-date total of more than $23 million.
Single family residential permits for August totaled $540,000 with more than $2.5 million issued from January through August.
n In a special session prior to the regular meeting, the council and members of the Park Rapids Antique Tractor and Engine Club reviewed the draft capping and redevelopment plans for a portion of the club's grounds east of CSAH 6.
In the hope of significantly reducing the cost, the plans will be submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency with a letter asking if a soil cover on the outlined area will suffice in lieu of placing a synthetic or clay liner.
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