The Red Wing City Council Tuesday night reached a consensus on the 2025 levy, a 6% increase.
At their last meeting, they discussed a 7% increase, which would increase taxes on an average-valued house in Red Wing ($299,000) $1.17 per month or $14 for the year.
Some Council members, Don Kliewer, Ron Goggin, and Janie Farrar, would like to see that number lowered while others like Becky Norton, noted the Council keeps pushing back major Capital projects down the road and that 7% was more reasonable.
Council President, Kim Beise, says he could compromise on a 6% levy hike but he has heard from many residents who say don’t cut things that make Red Wing the community it is.
Don Kliewer suggested asking non-profits to help fund local festivals, with the city matching a number like $2,500. He says the biggest problem are the actual taxes resident are paying in Red Wing on their homes.
Ideas floated in the past couple of months, include cutting seasonal park workers in half next summer, not snow plowing large city parks this winter, not irrigating public green spaces, cutting city funding to smaller festivals, and turning specific commissions into non-funded committees and others.
The Council will hold their Truth in Taxation public meeting December 02 if you'd like to comment about the budget or levy.
Following the hearing, Council will hold a special meeting to vote on adopting the budget and levy.