News from City of Spring Park Minnesota

Quarterly Newsletter

From Your Mayor
City Hall winter welcome

Proposed property tax statements for 2011 were sent to property owners this fall. What I heard in my house, after my husband opened the statement, was, "I thought you said city taxes were staying flat this year. Why does our statement show an increase in city taxes when our property value decreased?" I am sure the same question was asked all over the county, not just in my house. For Spring Park and much of Hennepin County, residential property values saw significant decreases in 2010. However, county wide, industrial, commercial and condominium property values decreased even more than residential. This is an important fact that comes into play to determine how property taxes are calculated for each property.

The city approves a budget every year and as part of that process a "tax levy amount" is set. The tax levy amount is the total amount of money that the city collects from Spring Park property owners. For 2009, 2010, and, initially for 2011, that amount was $980,000. Each individual property owner's share of the tax levy amount is based on your property value. Generally, if your property value decreases more than the rest of the property in Spring Park, your share of city tax levy will also decrease. Conversely, if your property value decreases less than the rest of the property in the city, your share of the city tax levy will increase.

What happened differently this year is that commercial and industrial property, as well as condominium values, decreased more than residential properties. Therefore, commercial, industrial and condo properties will pay a little less in total taxes for 2011 and residential property owners will pay a little more. However, at the end of the day, the city is not receiving any more money in 2011. In fact, at our December meeting, the city council voted to further reduce the 2011 tax levy by $30,000, from $980,000 to $950,000.

I know this does little to soften the blow if your taxes went up this year. Hopefully this note helps you better understand how your city taxes are determined. The economy has been slow to rebound and I assure you that city staff and the city council are all doing our best to be prudent with your tax dollars.

Enjoy the rest of winter and have fun with the record snowfalls that have blanketed Spring Park. Most importantly, be smart and safe on the ice, whether you ice fish, cross country ski, snowmobile or ice skate. My family loves backyard hockey on Lake Minnetonka -- if you do as well, please wear a helmet.

Your Mayor~

Sarah Reinhardt

Hoars frost on the lake

Planning Commission & Lake Minnetonka Conservation District Members Needed

The City is taking applications to fill a vacancy on the PC and a vacancy on the LMCD. The deadline for both filings is January 15. Contact City Hall for further information regarding both positions.

From the Utility Department

It's that time of year again. Please make a note of the following:

♦ Move your car off the street or from public parking during or immediately after a snowfall of two or more inches. You may return your vehicle to the street or parking lot after they have been completely plowed. If you are in doubt about how much snow has fallen, we encourage you to move your vehicle regardless to assist our plowing efforts.

♦ When driving behind a snowplow, stay back at least four car lengths. Overspray from a snowplow can obstruct your vision while driving, creating a hazardous situation.

♦ Do not allow children to play on snow banks next to the street.

♦ Rental properties in the city: Starting January 1st, 2011, all property owners will be responsible for utility payments due on their properties and courtesy copies sent to renters will be discontinued.

From the Fire Department

The Mound Fire department asks that you please take time to clear fire hydrants in your neighborhood of snow and keep them accessible throughout the winter. This will help us be much more efficient and timely in the event of an emergency!

The Mound Westonka High School DECA Marketing Club has volunteered to help clear hydrants as part of their "30 Deeds in 30 Days" Community Service Campaign. You can volunteer and help as well by clearing the snow from around fire hydrants in your neighborhood. This will help firefighters provide you with faster and better service! please call Vicki Weber at the Mound Fire Department administrative office 952.472.3555 and we will help clear the snow from the hydrant.

From the City Desk

Winter Trail Use

Winter arrived early this year and, as a reminder, the Dakota Rail Trail through Spring Park is not maintained in the winter. The trail can still be used by people at their own risk, but the trail will not be plowed or swept of snow and no salt or sand will be put on the trails if ice forms. Use Caution. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the Dakota Rail Trail. This includes ATV's and snowmobiles.

Allied Waste for Trash & Recycling Services

Please keep your trash enclosure clean of snow and ice.

Please ensure the path the driver needs to follow (whether it be driving the truck or pushing the container out of the enclosure) is well maintained. They require the path to be cleaned down to the concrete or asphalt to ensure safe handling.

One method to ensure safe access to trash and recycling containers is to provide a barrel filled with salt/sand and a scoop near the area that needs to be kept clean. This will allow you to treat the slippery area with salt/sand before they arrive to service your account.

Evergreen Recycle

De-clutter after the Holidays: Consider these easy, no or low-cost reuse options as an alternative to the trash can:

Sell it--visit Hennepin County's Choose to Reuse Online Directory (www.hennepin.us keyword search "choose to Reuse") for a list of businesses that buy used items.

Donate it--Make sure the organization accepts the items. Each organization has a different list of acceptable items, so be sure to call first. For a list of donation opportunities visit www.hennepin.us keyword search "Donation Opportunities."

Or, give it away--Try the Twin Cities Free Market (www.twincitiesfreemarket.org) a free online exchange bulletin board.