Denise Martin

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NEWS

Watershed District 2026 preliminary levy set

The managers on the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District Board voted 5-0 last week to set a preliminary levy hike for 2026 of 23 percent. There were about a half-dozen taxpayers attending this meeting in Forest Lake. An additional levy session will be scheduled for October to continue public input and Board discussions.
SCHOOLS

Soup with the Superintendent puts spotlight on array of testing

A group of about a dozen visitors to last week’s Soup with the Superintendent program, at Lindstrom’s Wildcat Community Center were reminded of when they were attending school and the dreaded pop quiz came from out of nowhere. To be sure, no grades were riding on the outcome of this but there was obvious anxiety exhibited among lunch program attendees.
NEWS

Taylors Falls Council votes in favor of 14 percent levy increase

The main item on the council agenda last week in Taylors Falls was action adopting a preliminary maximum levy for 2026 and the budget plan. Council voted 5-0 for the proposed 14 percent increase and scheduled the taxation public hearing for November 24 at 6 p.m. at city hall.
NEWS

County keeping levy hike under 5 percent

There were differing opinions among County Board members about when exactly the optimal time was to cut back next year’s budget, so the levy and budget were adopted on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Montzka and Dunne were ready to enact a minimal levy hike now, which is down about two percent from what’s been developed in work sessions. The rest of the Board said they’ll vote for a reduced increase in December.
NEWS

Wyoming sets max levy at 8 percent

A maximum levy and budget for 2026 was adopted on a 4-1 vote by the Wyoming City Council last week. Linda Nanko Yeager voted no without comment. The public discussion about finalizing Wyoming budget details takes place December 2, at city hall. at 7 p.m. and the sums adopted last week may be decreased but legally can not be increased.
NEWS

North Branch council and 30-year employee agree to separation terms

The city council last week accepted the resignation of Shawn Williams, public works director. His final day on the job was September 9. He was hired by North Branch in 1995.
NEWS

Stacy looks at 8% levy increase

Stacy City Council met September 9 for a regular meeting. Mayor Mark Utecht was absent. Council member Dennis Thieling was acting mayor.
NEWS

ECE: major internet, electric network tasks in progress

The purchase of the old North Branch Water & Light electric distribution network by East Central Energy two and a half years ago has been a learning experience.
SCHOOLS

North Branch School Board gets rousing thanks

The North Branch Viking Football Team stopped by the School Board meeting last week to thank the Board members for their support of the athletics program specifically. Coach Voss gave a rousing pep talk and the Board sat for a photo and interacted enthusiastically with the players.
NEWS

Springs Inn clean up now city task

Taylors Falls will proceed on Springs Inn site cleanup at city expense and plans to assess the bill back to the landowner. The city council agreed Monday this week the private effort at abating the leftovers from the fire last February has been exhausted. Council member Tim Grote noted “the bulk of the work has been done” but there are tasks remaining for site restoration.

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