Kasson approves 7.2% maximum preliminary levy increase

The city of Kasson tax levy could be increased by up to 7.2% after approving its preliminary maximum levy last week.
As part of the maximum levy, the General Fund budget would be $2.7 million, the Library Fund would be $441,533, and the Economic Development Fund would be $110,018.
An additional $1.177 million would go towards the Debt Service Levy.
In total the levy, if approved in December, would be $4, 513,645, compared to last year’s levy of $4,206,893.
One potential change could come depending on what happens with the Dodge Center Ambulance Taxing District currently being debated.
In case the Taxing District isn’t formed, City Administrator Tim Ibisch said there could be as much as $45,000 from Kasson allocated towards the ambulance. Currently Kasson contributes $5,000 per year. Without the additional ambulance allocation, the levy increase would be 6.2%.
If the maximum levy is approved in December it could mean a 3% tax rate increase.
“After the increased tax valuations were added, the baseline number was a 2% increase over last year. After discussing the Ambulance situation, the Council decided to add an additional percent in case the taxing district doesn’t move forward,” Ibisch wrote in an email. “So the final impact of the preliminary budget is 3% total. Of course, the Council may be able to eliminate more after the new healthcare rates are published later this year or if the taxing district does move forward.”
The annual Truth in Taxation public hearing is slated to take place on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. with the vote on the final levy expected to take place either on the same night or on Dec. 18.