Minnesota City council sets 2025 levy at $40,000, schedules Oct. 1 hearing on unpaid sewer fees

The Minnesota City Council voted Sept. 3 to set the city’s 2025 levy request at $40,000 and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 1 to consider how to treat unpaid sewer bills from 2024.

The motion to set the levy was made by Councilmember Joe Pellowski and seconded by Councilmember Emily Conners; the motion passed with all in favor. Council members noted the $40,000 levy request is the same dollar amount the city requested last year.

Council discussed the city’s continued approach to delinquent sewer accounts. Officials said the council will assess additional fees on unpaid accounts and add those balances, with the additional fees, to delinquent homeowners’ 2025 property taxes. On a motion by Joe Pellowski, seconded by Angie Bohnstengel, the council voted to hold a public hearing on Oct. 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall to determine specific actions and fee amounts; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: adding unpaid utility balances and collection fees to property taxes is a common municipal method to recover revenue but can affect homeowners’ tax bills and eligibility for tax payment plans. The scheduled Oct. 1 hearing will be the forum for finalizing fee levels and any procedures for notifying affected property owners.

Next steps: the council will hold the Oct. 1 public hearing at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Any change to fees or collection processes would be confirmed following that hearing.