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The full Taylors Falls City Council outlined the process by which an anticipated vacant seat (Robert Bayer won election for mayor) will be filled come 2027.  After discussion, the council agreed the candidates can at least be “teed-up” for the new council when reformed in January.  

Applications will be available soon and should be submitted by the end of December.  Council will interview and appoint a member in January sometime.   See city hall for details.

Kayla Donahue was appointed to a vacant seat on the Economic Development Commission unanimously.  Council also approved $200 to go towards the “Town Shopping Crawl” expenses.  There was also a $500 donation to support the Lighting Festival, which is November 27,28 and 29.  Check out lightingfestival.com online.

These funds come out of the city’s 10 percent charitable gaming proceeds percentage, which is in the games licensing approval.

The request was approved, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow an outdoor marijuana cultivation operation on the west side of town.  Dan Shields owns the property, and his orchard/ag operation will remain utilizing the greenhouses,  while an approximately three-quarter acre canopy of marijuana crop is now allowed on the parcel. 

Council was told the area is already fenced and the plants will be located in the furthest corner of the property away from any residence or access road.

Council member Tim Grote had a firm statement  directed at the anonymous source of lies,  posted on the Internet about city staff forging time card hours.  

Grote said it is “absolutely untrue and unfair” for this person to claim the city is being defrauded and whoever is saying this it must halt.

Grote, who is a fiscal liaison for council, (Bayer as a CPA is the other) also noted the end-of-year balance should be coming in around 35 percent,  and the city is “looking pretty good” There were a couple moments when 2026 accounts were slim. The regular timing of the property tax disbursements to cities,  and payments of some awaited overdue taxes combined to give revenue projections a boost.  It is key for government units to have a balance in order to carryover operations in the months the twice-yearly property tax disbursements might be drawn down.  Also, State Aid usually comes well after July as the existing state fiscal year ends.

Taylors Falls holds its Truth in Taxation public hearing December 2 in council chambers and expects to adopt 2027 final budget and local levy numbers December 14.

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