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2011 Budget Review Huge's Property Tax Levy Will Decline Hugo residents received some positive news from the 2011 budget review: once again, Hugo's property tax levy will decrease, result- ing in a tax reduction of $105.16 on a median valued homestead. City Finance Director Ron Otkin's budget presentation at the September 7 City Council meeting called for a preliminary 2011 tax levy of $4,838,778, which is a re- duction of $378,544, or 9« 7.26%, from the previous year. Of this amount, $602, 566 is paid from the Fiscal Disparities pool, a program unique to the seven -county metro area that dis- tributes a portion of the increase in commer- cial/industrial property values to each taxing jurisdiction. Therefore, the net amount paid by Hugo property owners will be $4,236,212 – a reduction of $424,321 or 9.1% from the current tax levy. Otkin explained that there was a net surplus of $290,496 from 2010 that will be carried into the 2011 fiscal year. "This is primarily due to the budgeting techniques Hugo currently uses," he states. "We conservatively estimate our rev- enues and prac- tice contingen- cy budgeting for expendi- tures." This means planning for expenditures that may or may not occur, and usually leads to annual budget surpluses that can be added to Hugo's reserves or carried over to the following year. Otkin adds, "These tech- niques are also favorably looked upon by bond rating agencies." Highwav 61 Improvements: From Page 1 and right turn lanes were added and a traffic signal was installed. Drainage and utility im- provements — including new storm sewers, the elimination of ditches and the installation of curbs and gutters — were also completed at this site. Duff explains that both of these projects con- tribute to the City's infrastructure. He adds, "We're reconstructing the highway to make travel better and safer, and we're improving the structure of the road itself." The public is invited to speak at the December 6 regular City Council meeting, held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, before the final budget and tax levy is adopted. Egg Lake Improvements: From Page 1 Mike Ericson tells us that the City has received hand-written notes from residents who are hap- py with the results. Did You Know? Hugo Named Fastest - Growing City Hugo was recently named the fastest growing city in the Twin Cities metropoli- tan area by the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal. During the period of 2000- 2009, Hugo's population increased by 106.5% (from 6,363 to 13,140), and the number of households went up by 129.2% (from 2,125 to 4,870). This compares to 9.1% and 11%, respectively, for the metro area.