City preliminary tax levy up 3.47 percent

During a special Tuesday, Sept. 20, meeting the New Prague City Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting its preliminary property tax levy for taxes payable in 2017. The amount approved represented an increase of 3.47 percent over the current year.

The council was presented with two options. The first was for a property tax levy of approximately more than $4 million, an increase of $134,673 or 3.47 percent. The second was for a property tax levy of $3.9 million, an increase of $74,673 or 1.92 percent.

At the beginning of the discussions for the city’s 2017 budget, Mayor Chuck Nickolay noted that once the preliminary levy is set, they can’t raise it, but they can lower it for the final levy.

City Administrator Mike Johnson said, "I think the council has been relatively frugal."

Mayor Nickolay pointed out since 2011 the council has averaged 1.91 percent or lower increases in its levies.

The council discussed several aspects of the proposed budget, including special projects. One was proposed by the Park Board for Greenway Park to replace the existing bridge that goes over a culvert and connects to a walkway leading to the commercial area in that part of the community. The estimated cost for replacing the entire structure is $60,000.

Johnson noted that they don’t know how many residents use the bridge, which is a convenience. He said the wooden planks of the bridge are in good shape and at a minimum they can replace the railing on the bridge. Another possibility is to remove the bridge since there are other pathways nearby.

Council member Jenna Tuma asked if the bridge was already ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Johnson replied it was.

Council member Shawn Ryan had concerns about....

To see more on this story pick up the September 22, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.