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Market Values Go Down But Taxes May Go Up While Hugo market values trend downward, your taxes may not. In a partial state budget fix, the Minnesota Legislature has replaced the Market Value Homestead Credit with the Market Value Homestead Exclusion. Under the old system, City officials set the total property tax levy and then used a sliding -scale formula to reduce the tax on your house if you were a homesteader. The state then reimbursed the City for that reduction. Instead of figuring your tax and then giving you a credit, the new system effectively "lowers" the value of your home before figuring your tax. The main thing to realize is that by reducing your property's value before figuring out taxes, local officials suddenly have a lower tax base to deal with. That means even if the total tax levy is held flat, the tax rate will rise. This would be the first tax rate increase since 2003. "Bottom line is, it's a tax shift from the state budget Winterizing Your Home The number one concern during heating season is usually your heating bill. With temperatures dropping you need to do everything you can to maintain comfort and lower your heating bills. •Install or adjust your programmable thermostat Tour de Hugo Continued There will be a Bike Safety Rodeo with the Washington County Sheriffs Office from 8:30-9:30am before the ride. Bike helmets will be fitted for free and avail- able to purchase for $5 from 8:OOam— 9:30am The Tour de Hugo cele- brates the conclusion of the summer -long Health Up and GO Wellness Chal- lenge. Registration for the Tour de Hugo is $15 for deficit onto the local property tax base, although it will have the appearance of a local spending increase," said Hugo Finance Director Ron Otkin. "Virtually everyone is likely to pay slightly higher property taxes because of this," he added. The City Council remains committed to keeping spending levels in check and lessening the impact this state imposed change will have on taxpayers. •Caulk and seal air leaks Weather is capable of *Fix fireplace air leaks, clean chimney if necessary •Insulate your home testing your home in many different ways. •Replace your furnace filter With a few hours effort you •Check your sump pump •Install storm windows and doors •Clean and check gutters children 12 and under and $25 for adults until Septem- ber 12. Registration on the day of the Tour de Hugo is $20 for children and $30 for adults. All food and beverages are included. All bike riders will receive a free Tour de Hugo t -shirt and a bag of biking good- ies. To register orfor more information, please go to www.ci.hugo.mn.us or call Shayla Syverson at 651- 762-6342. can help improve the comfort and safety of your home while saving money. Thank you to our sponsors: KinderGardens Child De- velopment Center Lake Area Bank Logicore Networks Postal Credit Union Oneka Chiropractic Snap Fitness Boyd's Promos Dairy Queen MasTec Litin Key Automotive As a resident, you can choose any one of the seven licensed refuse haulers. All are required to pro- vide recycling ser- vices. Haulers will drop off a blue recy- cling bin to new resi- dences. If you are in need of a blue recy- cling bin, please con- tact Hugo City Hall at 651-762-6300. Get involver your Comn= The City of Hugo has vacancies on the Board of Zon- ing and Parks, Recreation and Open Space Com- mission. If you would like to apply and get involved in your community, please call 651-762- 6300 or visit the City's website for an application.