Towns set plans for 2016 levies

For Rock County communities outside of Luverne, preliminary property tax levies ranged from zero to 10.1 percent.
On Sept. 30 cities, counties, townships, school districts and special taxing districts in Minnesota must submit preliminary 2016 tax levy amounts to county auditors.
Each entity will certify their final percentages in December, the last opportunity for levy amounts to be lowered. Preliminary percentage amounts cannot be increased.
According to Rock County Auditor Ashley Kurtz, Beaver Creek submitted a request for a 10.1-percent levy increase from $125,552 in 2015 to $138,238 for taxes payable in 2016.
Beaver Creek’s fire department will receive the majority of the $12,686 increase, raising its allocation from $7,129 in 2015 to $22,160 in 2016.
“Our council always leaves the preliminary levy high until the November meeting,” said city clerk/treasurer Jane Blank. “I don’t anticipate that this year will be any different.”
The overall $272,429 budget for Beaver Creek has general fund expenditures of $154,743, $10,000 for fire equipment and $15,000 each for street improvements and street equipment. Another $1,000 is planned for the firemen’s relief fund, $6,501 for recreation and $21,900 for debt service.
“In 2016, we will be retiring the debt for the municipal building and other than a fire truck loan, the city will be debt free.”
Two communities are planning on raising their levies by 4 percent.
 Hardwick will ask for an additional $1,571 in taxes payable in 2016 for a total preliminary levy amount of $40,829.
Currently, Hardwick estimates $103,885 in expenditures in 2016 including $69,771 for the general fund, $4,160 for streets and $20,040 for its fire department. The city also has a debt service amount of $9,914.
Magnolia will ask for an additional $1,367 (a 4-percent increase) for a 2016 levy amount of $35,535.
Hills increased its levy to $124,328 for a 1.1-percent increase in action taken earlier this month.
With no levy increase requested by Kenneth, $13,500 is the preliminary designated amount for general fund expenditures, Kurtz said.
For communities with a population of less than 500, state statute doesn’t require their councils to conduct Truth in Taxation hearings, Kurtz added.
Hills will conduct their hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8.