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Cokato council adopts 20% preliminary tax-levy increase as budget outlook shows flat LGA
Summary
The Cokato City Council on Sept. 9 adopted a preliminary 20% tax-levy increase after members said Local Government Aid (LGA) is flat and discussed using bonds to fund future street mill-and-overlay work. The resolution passed unanimously.
The Cokato City Council voted unanimously Sept. 9 to adopt Resolution 2024-25, setting a preliminary tax levy with a 20% increase.
The measure, introduced as the preliminary tax-levy resolution for 2024–25, passed on a motion from Council Member Sebring and a second from Council Member Hermansen; all council members voted aye. Mayor Harju called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The levy decision came as council members reviewed the 2025 preliminary budget outlook. Council members noted that Local Government Aid (LGA) is "flat lined," reducing expected outside revenue and prompting discussion of alternatives to pay for street work and other capital needs. Council Member Wilson urged a shift away from short-term patch repairs toward mill-and-overlay projects, saying that directing 20% toward mill-and-overlay could yield pavement life of roughly 20 years.
Council members also discussed the possibility of issuing bonds to finance future mill-and-overlay work, but no bond issuance was approved at the meeting; the levy action was recorded as a preliminary step in the budget process. The resolution adopted Sept. 9 is preliminary and will be subject to further budget proceedings and statutory notice requirements before a final levy is set.
No public testimony was recorded specifically on the levy during the meeting. The council is expected to consider the full budget and any final levy later in the statutory process.
