DOVER — Tax bills will inch up a bit in Dover for 2014. The city voted in September to increase the levy by 6 percent over the 2013 levy and ratified that increase Thursday night, said Mayor Roger Irhke.
The 2013 levy was $203,000. Irhke said the increase will help pay for the city's share of a resurfacing project for Olmsted County Road 142, which is 1st Street in the city. The city's portion of the project, Irhke said, will be about $200,000, and the county will pay about $600,000 for the project.
With the increase coming out to just more than $12,000 per year, the city's portion of the project will take several years to pay off. Irhke said the increase is to pay not only for the road project but for the increases in the city's general cost of doing business.
The levy increase will not be spread evenly among homeowners, Irhke said. The 6 percent is applied to the overall levy. Homeowners with higher home valuations will pay a bigger chunk of the $12,000, and residents with homes of lesser value will pay a smaller share.
In other business, Irhke said the city council will need to determine whether it appoints a new council member or just survives with three members plus the mayor until the next election.
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Council member Michelle Danielson is moving on Feb. 1, and because she no longer will be a Dover resident, she will give up her spot on the council.
"We've talked with several people who have been on the ballot before to see if they're interested," Irhke said. If the city council cannot find the right candidate to take the job, it will go forward one member short until the next election.
Brian Todd is a freelance writer.
