2003 December Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Tax Rate To Decrease . Seven Percent In 2004 Although building permit revenues are expected and recruit firefighters. With interest rates at his- to remain constant for the third consecutive year, toric lows,the City borrowed funds for a heavy Hugo's property tax rate will decrease by 7% rescue vehicle slated for purchase in 2004. The next year. City staff,at the direction of the City funds were borrowed for less than 2%and will Council,assembled an operating budget that be repaid over a five-year period. increases spending less than 3%,yet allocates additional resources to the fire and public works The City also continues to staff and equip a pub- departments. lic works department to take over road mainte- nance and snow removal services previously The total property tax levy proposed for 2004 is contracted with Washington County. Included in $2,659,983,which is $253,293 higher than the the budget are funds for a new road grader and previous year. Of this increase, $145,936 is several plow trucks. Again,these big-ticket needed to pay principal and interest on bonds. items will be purchased with borrowed funds. The remaining$107,357 of the increase is need- ed to replace a portion of the state aid that was City officials anticipate a continued strong cut by the legislature. reliance on property taxes to balance the budget. Property taxes account for approximately 80%of The City continues its commitment to upgrade general fund operating revenues,up from 52% and replace antiquated fire department trucks and two years ago. This is directly related to the loss equipment,as well as provide incentives to keep of state aid and anticipated building activity. Hugo Historical Commission Collaborates With Other Area Historical Groups On October 23,Carrie Meyers,Vi Maslowski, and Kitty Cheesebrow attended a special program and din- ner at Woody's Restaurant,sponsored by the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society,who had contact- ed the Hugo Historical Commission to get information about hunting and harvesting in the Hugo/White Bear Lake area between 1850 and 1950. They interviewed Joe and Quentin Marier and Marcel and Clara Miron, and offered to share the results of their research for Hugo's archives. Commission Chair Kitty Cheesebrow notes, "We had a great dinner and a wonderful time listening to the program as it outlined the changing history of hunting,fishing,and trapping in the Hugo area since the first settlers came here." The Commission was invited to hold its November meeting at the new Little Canada Historical Society History Center. Their host was Al Dahlquist,a genealogy researcher who specializes in French Canadian immigration to the area,which includes White Bear Lake,Little Canada,Vadnais Heights,and Hugo. Another of his specialties is mapping and documenting historic cemeteries. Al's grandmother was born in Hugo, so he has strong family roots here and has decided to be an active volunteer with the Hugo ' Historical Commission. Cheesebrow states, "We welcome Al with open arms, and we hope to be able to collaborate our research efforts with Little Canada and other community historical groups." The Historical Commission is also very grateful to the Bald Eagle Sportsman's Association for their$500 donation. "We feel honored and excited about the opportunities that these additional funds open to us in the coming year," states Cheesebrow. The Hugo Historical Commission continues to welcome residents'photos,documents,journals,and any key historical dates or information they may have regarding Hugo's history. For more information about the Hugo Historical Commission,or if you would like to help by volunteering or donating your historical items,contact City Administrator Mike Ericson at 651-762-6312 or Kitty Cheesebrow at 651-429-6560 or by e-mail at kitty@visi.com. � j