Council approves levy increase, new officer

Cloquet City Councilors approved a 3.49-percent levy increase taxes payable in 2022, but with a market value increase of 4.49 percent, some Cloquet property owners could see a decrease in their city taxes next year.

Rural Cloquet resident Eric Witeli would like to see his taxes decrease even more. Witeli was the only resident to address the council during Tuesday's Truth and Taxation hearing. The Brookston Road resident said he'd like to pay fewer taxes because he uses very few city services.

"I don't have city utilities, I'm surrounded by county roads, no curb and gutter," he said. "I'd like to propose my taxes be lowered because I don't benefit much from what the city has to provide."

City administrator Tim Peterson explained that taxes don't fund city water or sewer, those are billed to users. Stormwater fees are countywide "for the betterment of the community."

"You still benefit from the police department, plows that clear all the roads," Peterson said.

Peterson told councilors that very little had changed in the proposed city budget since they approved the preliminary levy in September.

In general, the city is proposing total expenditures of $21,328,420 and revenues of $20,024,600. Transfers from other funds, such as the sales tax, will make up $1,849,250 of the revenues.

The city will collect $3,240,200 in property taxes, which make up 16 percent of its revenues.

14th Street redux

The council again approved Phase 2 of the 14th Street project and approved bids, after also holding a second public hearing on the project because more than a year had passed since the first one.

Resident John Zissos expressed concern about the roundabout planned for the intersection of Washington Avenue and 14th Street, and wanted to know details and the timing for that portion of the project, as it will directly affect him because he lives nearby.

Assistant city engineer John Anderson said construction on the roundabout will start after the school year ends. The intersection will be open again before school starts again after Labor Day.

Peterson pointed out that 14th Street is a county road and the county is responsible for that part of the project, while the city will be working to replace aged water and sewer utilities under the roadway.

Police hires

Also Tuesday, councilors hired a new police officer, Jared Braveheart, bringing the department to 23 of 24 funded officer positions.

The council also approved the promotion of Ron Timmons to detective. Timmons has eight years experience from his previous job in Port Clinton, Ohio.