Lonsdale finalizes 0% levy increase

The Lonsdale City Council finalized the budget and tax levy for 2013 at the regular meeting held Thursday, Dec. 13, accomplishing what they’ve been working toward over the past six months –– holding the city’s tax levy to a zero percent increase over 2012. 

City Administrator Joel Erickson presented the final property tax levy and impact, showing that in 2013 the taxable market value of property in Lonsdale decreased by 14.32 percent, more than what was expected. This gave the council another reason to keep the levy at zero percent, because when property values go down, the city receives less money and the tax rate must be increased to raise revenue to bring it up to the 2012 levy amount. The total tax levy, and the total budget the city will work with in 2013 will be $1,649,135, the same as it was for 2012.

“The city held the line on taxes by setting the levy at zero percent because of the drop in property values,” Mayor Tim Rud said, thanking city staff for presenting the numbers at budget meetings held over the past several months. “It takes a lot of work to hold it to zero percent.”