Update 9/12/16

I've been populating the page with campaign pieces to start out, but I'll try to get some more "live" postings to keep my followers
informed.

Tonight we passed the preliminary tax extension.

You can read the Free Press's coverage here:

http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/city-tax-levy-could-climb-but-with-no-tax-rate/article_76767376-7936-11e6-bf17-aff886b03b5b.html

The same as last year's budget, we are poised to make a very slight increase in the property tax levy, calculated as a $2.00 yearly increase to an average valued home, to cover cost of living increases.

But also identical to the tax situation we faced last year, homes in established neighborhoods are very likely to see a property value increase, which means in all likelihood you will be paying more into the city coffer this year.

It's great to see values rising, it means the city is allowing it's residents to build wealth with their properties. But make no mistake about it, the extra dollars that are going into your property tax check are being used to cover "cost of living increases" are for a growing city labor force, worn out facilities and infrastructure, and growing operational equipment expenses.

We're just getting into the budget process now, so I will keep you posted with some of these costs as we work through the budget in council worksessions.