Winter 2019-20 Hometown Messenger

PROPOSED 2019 CITY LEVY & BUDGET Shakopee residents can expect a tax break for 2019 A number of factors have led to a falling tax rate Homeowners can expect a tax decrease of about $62 or 7.2 percent compared to 2017, assuming there is no change in home value. Even factoring in an increase in home value, 7,174 residential properties will receive a tax cut. The average market value of homes in Shakopee increased by 5.3 percent from $242,100 to $255,000 for 2019. The estimated annual tax impact for homes that increased in value from zero to five percent will be a tax decrease of about $39, or 4.5 percent. Additionally, the proposed 2019 budget decreases the city’s current tax rate, lowering it from 37.971 percent to 35.231 percent. For the past two years, City of Shakopee staff have proposed budgets with little to no impact on residents. The 2018 budget was the last of a three-year transformative budget which set the foundation for the council’s goals of low taxes, financial stability and a stable tax rate. 2019’s budget is a direct reflection of how successful the last three years have been.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Meet Dave Giddings, one of the city’s four full-time firefighters. First and foremost, it’s Dave’s job to respond to emergency calls. Dave assists with fire inspections in new construction and existing buildings with in the city. He also oversees and coordinates the city’s prescribed burn program, which helps protect wild prairies in the city. Q: How long have you worked for the city? A: I’ve worked for the city for 13 years as a firefighter. For the last five, I’ve been a full- time employee. I previously worked in the construction industry where I did framing and finishing as a union carpenter. Q: What do you like about working for the City of Shakopee? A: I like that I have a chance to serve the city I was raised in. I love everything that Shakopee has to offer. Q: What's the best part of your job? A: The best part of my job is that each day is different than the last. There’s always variety. With our community, we are faced with new challenges every day as firefighters. We work with people on what could be the worst day of their lives. We’re here to try and make things a little better.

Additionally, right-sizing the staffing at City Hall will allow for continued services from all parts of the municipal government. There will not be a major impact to city services, even though tax rates have fallen. In addition to a fiscally sound budget, the 2019 preliminary levy has decreased by $30,000, down to $19,230,500. The preliminary levy is the maximum amount that a city can levy during the year; therefore, the final levy at the end of 2019 may be less than or equal to the preliminary but may not be more. Careful planning and a strong economy have given the city the ability to lower its property tax levy for 2019. Added developments, like Canterbury Commons, account for new growth in the city’s tax base and will reduce the tax burden for current residents and businesses in the future Finally, the city has increased its bond rating to Aa1, one level below the coveted AAA rating, from Moody’s Investors. The current rating puts Shakopee in the top 7 percent of cities nationwide. Staff is working to achieve a AAA rating, which would put Shakopee in

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WHAT: Comment on the proposed 2019 levy and budget during a public meeting. WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4

WHERE: City Hall, 485 Gorman St.

the top 3 percent of cities. These trends are expected to continue barring a major recessional period.

NEWS & NOTES New employees join staff Several new employees have recently joined the City of Shakopee organization: • Marti Bartels, IT analyst • Vadim Romanets, police officer • Dustin Filan, police officer • Patrick O'Keefe, police officer • McKenzie Lampman, police officer • Hannah Ward, lead lifeguard

Winter 2019 5