Superior council approves 3.8% property tax levy increase to avert service cuts

Mayor Hagen proposed three levy scenarios for the 2013 general fund operating budget and recommended a 3.8% increase, roughly $26 for every $100,000 of assessed value, to preserve current services and reinstate two vacant fire department positions.

The council approved the recommendation in a recorded roll-call vote: Councilor Bridge, Councilor Stenberg, Councilor McDonald, Councilor Doyle, Councilor Finsland and Councilor Herrick voted yes; Councilor Bender, Councilor McKenzie, Councilor Brown and Councilor Olsen voted no. The motion to approve the 3.8% levy was made by Councilor Finsland and seconded by Councilor McDonald. After the vote the council set a public hearing on the budget for Nov. 7.

Why it matters: Council and staff said smaller levy increases—2% or 0%—would require cuts that officials said would reduce public safety and core services. Police and fire officials presented figures showing substantial shortfalls under lower-levy scenarios and warned of longer emergency response times and potential station closures.

City context and council debate Mayor Hagen told the council the 3.8% levy ‘‘provides for services as we know them today’’ and would help avoid more severe decisions in subsequent years as revenue uncertainties compound. He said the city faces shared-revenue shortfalls at the state level and possible federal domestic spending reductions. Hagen also said the proposal would reinstate two vacant fire positions and allow necessary operational refinements.

Police and fire officials described operational consequences of smaller increases. Police Chief Legess told the council the department ‘‘would have to make cuts of almost $240,000 if there's no levy increase and almost $150,000 if there's a 2% levy increase,’’ and said staffing reductions would increase response times and reduce the department’s ability to manage major incidents. Fire union and station leaders warned that closing a station would put parts of the city outside the critical minutes for cardiac arrest and degrade firefighting response; Battalion Chief Scott Gordon said a station closure would be a council decision if the larger levy did not pass.

Public comment mirrored the split in the council. Several residents, including Marty Curtis and Lee Sandock Baker, urged the council to approve the 3.8% increase to avoid public-safety and infrastructure losses. Others, including Councilor McKenzie and Councilor Brown speaking from the dais, urged further review and more cuts before raising taxes, citing residents on fixed incomes and requests from constituents.

Budget mechanics and deadlines Staff told the council a statutory deadline requires the city to hold its public hearing by Nov. 10; they recommended setting the hearing for the Nov. 7 council meeting and said the city needs six votes on a levy plan to meet publication and hearing timelines. Finance materials presented three scenarios: 3.8% (recommended), 2% and 0%. The mayor and finance staff said department budgets had already been trimmed extensively and that remaining cuts would largely affect staffing, training and essential services rather than nonessential travel or subscriptions.

Ending: The council’s vote authorizes the mayor and staff to publish the proposed budget with the approved 3.8% levy and proceed to the Nov. 7 public hearing. Additional council discussion and public comment were expected before final adoption following the hearing.