Resident airs concerns on NR police
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
After the previous city council meeting, New Richland taxpayers had a pretty good idea they’d be paying more in 2020.
Now we know how much more.
At the Monday, Sept. 23 council meeting, city clerk Wayne Billing presented a graph showing the city’s tax estimate for property valued from $62,000-$206,600, and how that would change with increases of 2.69 percent, 6.79 percent and 14.17 percent, a figure the council later approved.
An increase of 14.17 percent would mean taxes for a $62,000 residential property would go up from $459 to $524; for an $81,000 property, taxes would raise from $637 to $727; for a $91,000 property, from $776 to $886; for a $170,500 property, from $1,834 to $2,094; and for a $206,000 property, from $2,320 to $2,649.
The council has not designated where the additional funds would be allocated, only that it wants a “cushion” with money that can be spent if so desired.
The council can lower, but not raise, the tax levy before it is finalized in December.
All council members except Sarah Sundve were there for the meeting, which also included PeopleService manager Brad Field, and visitors Dale Wallace, Pam Goehring and Larry Goehring.
Wallace, who contacted the city office to be put on the agenda, was reminded by mayor Mike Shurson that he had three minutes to speak. He used every second.
“I’ve been asked by several people to ask if there’s been any decision made on the police, getting the county in,” said Wallace, who added he’d like to hear an accurate estimate on what it would cost to contract with the county for such services.
Shurson said the city is definitely not thinking about contracting with the county for law enforcement service, but that the current police budget will be scrutinized before it is finalized.
Wallace’s next question was about why NRPD officers are so often found along Highway 13.
“Is it the city’s responsibility to police Highway 13, beyond city limits?” asked Wallace.
Shurson said New Richland officers working on the highway are not compensated by city money, but are paid through the Toward Zero Deaths campaign.
Councilman Chad Neitzel said two officers are on duty when one is working under TZD.
It was not said whether New Richland is reimbursed for use of its squad cars, or if officers are being paid travel expenses to get here; at least one part-time officer is paid mileage to drive to New Richland.
Wallace said he recently spotted two New Richland police cars at the same time on Highway 13 and wanted to know why.
“We’ll have to check into that,” said Shurson.
“It seems like they’re spending more time on the highway than they are in town,” said Wallace. “The highway is not part of the town, in my opinion.”
It could also be noted that no progress has been reported in finding out who vandalized All Saints Church earlier this year or who committed other acts of vandalism; and the case involving juvenile drinking during Farm and City Days was closed with no arrests made.
Wallace had one final comment before walking out: “I think it’s pretty bad when you have to set it up ahead of time to talk.”
Field presented his report, saying things are running well, there were no big rainfalls in August, and smoke testing in sewers went well. His report was approved.
Maintenance man Ryan Nissen wasn’t there to present his report. A written report was approved.
Care center administrator Chuck Ness said the census is still down, but they’re making progress, now accepting residents who smoke and those in dialysis. The 2020 NRCC budget was approved, as was Ness’ report.
There was some discussion before the preliminary budget was approved.
Casey made the motion to raise the tax levy to 14.17 percent.
Shurson and councilman Jason Casey volunteered to be on a committee to meet with all department heads to discuss the budget.
Shurson reminded everyone that the final tax levy amount can go down from the approved 14.17 percent increase, but cannot go up before December.
The meeting adjourned around 7:35.