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Life at North Branch City Hall doesn’t pause just because officials are awaiting the arrival of a new administrator at Chisago County’s largest city. North Branch expects their new hire to be on-board inside of a couple weeks;  but personnel  matters continue to require attention and the recent resignation of the elections official —who also provided I.T. expertise—has made the situation in North Branch urgent. 

With the next year's budgeting deadline also front and center for council;  the five members found themselves meeting in a special session facilitated by Interim City Administrator Linda Woulfe, who brought perspective on internal personnel restructuring.   Her recommendations were embraced by the council last week.  

Council created a 120-day deputy clerk position which fills part of the gap from the resignation, and shifted public works office worker Angela Tveit into this important elections official slot.  

The incoming city administrator then will have some breathing room to review job descriptions and see how operations are going, and after the 120 days he could make adjustments under the temporary agreement.

The Public Works Director then agreed to find a temporary hire to cover tasks in the post previously held by the newly assigned deputy clerk Tveit.

North Branch will also seek a contract for services from a private technology firm to be available for law enforcement and  city hall electronic/ internet system demands.

Two public works actions were also okayed last week by council, upon request by Shawn Williams, Director.  He now has a new wastewater operator and a promotion of Paxton Lind,  placed him into the lead position,  just vacated from retirement. 

Woulfe explained the proposed budget contains placeholders for opportunity to realign the finance department and utility accounts-keeping, which the new administrator again, will want to put his stamp on.

After this was all acted upon, council turned to  budget discussions.  General Fund Expenditures for North Branch were $6, $7 and $8 million respectively in 2022, 2023 and 2024.  In 2025 the proposal being analyzed for finalization in December, is $10 million.

While growth in North Branch brings new property tax revenues that will cover some of this increase, it is still significant enough to be creating debate.  

If the proposed levy at $7.38 million is enacted North Branch will be the third highest tax capacity RATE of any city in Chisago County.  The highest is Taylors Falls followed by Shafer, according to payable 2024 tax charts.

Staff has in recent weeks, whittled away about $400,000 from the first-discussed next year budget totals— by moving some payments (purchases) out to 2026, (ie: squad cars)  and delay of hires. 

Council is considering keeping on track with equipment needs by backfilling ongoing debt service when it’s paid-off,  through borrowing (bonds) $3 million for equipment needs.  This means in 2026,  years of debt owed to Chisago County (current payments of $153,000 annually) for help in acquiring the business park and city payments for prior equipment purchases fall off,  but sums would remain in the budget for essentially no obvious monetary impact.

The proposed budget for 2025 does include a raise in firefighter compensation and adds two public works staff.

“Pavement management” costs were reduced from $1.3 million to $750,000.  Woulfe also cautioned the council there is no regular budget item for sidewalk replacements and this should be programmed sooner than later.

Mayor Kevin Schieber commented that these review sessions are providing “better details” and he feels more prepared to decide on a budget.  There was mention of another work session November 19.  North Branch holds its next regular meeting November 12.  

The truth in taxation public hearing for finalizing next year’s levy and budget is December 2.

The actual bill you get for your 2025 property taxes will also involve your school district share of taxes, the county share and any special districts you have property located within.  The impact tied to North Branch CITY property tax alone on the $7.38 million being considered are:

A $200,000 residential parcel paying $668 in 2024 would go to $800.

A $250,000 residential parcel pays $869 now and it would be $1,055.

A $350,000 parcel paying city tax of $1271 would go to $1564.

A $500,000 residential parcel at $1,847 can expect $2,327 in 2025.

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