Aitkin City Council hears concerns on 2022 Budget, Levy during November 6th meeting

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (12/8/21)

(Aitkin, MN) — The Aitkin City Council Monday night heard from residents on tax increases for the upcoming year while trying to approve the 2022 Final Budget and Tax Levy and reviewing amendments to city ordinances from the Community Room of the Aitkin Public Library.

During the Public Hearing Period when confronted on the spending costs for the city by one resident, Mayor Megan Workman elaborated on the subject.

Mayor Workman also noted raised property values from the past year also played into the 21% increase in the City’s budget for 2022.

One resident asked where the City was looking into making cuts in the budget, to which Workman replied…

Council member Leeann Moriarity also spoke about the continuous struggles to clean up the City’s budget and its effect on the community.

The Council did approve the Final Property Tax Levy at $1,664,943 at a 21.5% increase from 2021.

Other notes from the Aitkin City Council meeting included the approval of Minor Subdivision applications for Cindy Linehan-Monroe and New Life Church, a renewal of the 2022 Legal Services Contract for Quinlivan & Hughes, and final pay application for the 2021 City Improvements. 

The Council approved the amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Official Zoning Map, Zoning Code Text to allow Animal Husbandry in the TR & UR Districts, and Code to allow Hen Chickens.

We will have more coming this week with the Aitkin City Council meeting this week at www.rjbroadcasting.com.