SLEEPY EYE — Dealing with increased costs, the Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved raising the 2025 preliminary tax levy 9.17% Tuesday.

Approval to raise the levy $155,443 over the 2024 final levy came on a motion by councilor Christina Andres, seconded by Scott Krzmarzick.

The tax hike would raise monthly taxes on a home with a $150,000 tax value by $7.50; $12.50 a month on a home with a $250,000 tax value.

Andres said this is the first time the City is funding Sleepy Eye Ambulance Service. The 2025 preliminary budget includes $105,950 for the ambulance service.

“We’ve been lucky to have had an independent ambulance service this long,” said councilor Nate Stevermer.

City Manager Bob Elston said part of the reason city funds are being used for the ambulance service is reimbursement delays from Medicare.

The 2025 budget includes $668,150 for recreation and parks, a $24,400 hike; and $985,400 for the police department, a $48,500 hike.

“I think an $8 a month increase is palatable,” said Krzmarzick.

The increase compares to a 3.12% hike for the 2024 budget and 3.96% for the 2023 budget. The final levy to be set in December can’t be set any higher than the preliminary levy. It could be reduced.

The city council unanimously approved placing an 80-foot high flagpole and large, lighted flag just south of the Highway 14/CR 27 intersection, motion by councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by Krzmarzick.

Sleepy Eye American Legion Commander Rick Mages said the raising money for the project estimated to cost about $30,000-$35,000 including a 4×8 foot concrete base and lights.

“This is the right place for it (flagpole and flag). It’s 50 feet off the right of way,” said Elston.

Mages said the idea to purchase a large flagpole and flag follows projects supported by the Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club including the Huey helicopter restoration and installation at Veteran’s Park in downtown Sleepy Eye.

“With today being the anniversary of 911, I think it’s appropriate to do this in remembrance of veterans, police, fire and 1st responders. The flagpole and flag will be like the U.S. flag and flagpole at Fredin Brothers Inc. east of Springfield,” said Mages.

He said no City of Sleepy Eye money will be used for the project.

“We’ll donate it back to the City of Sleepy Ey after it is done. It’s on their property,” Mages said.

Donations can be sent to the Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club, 109 1st Ave. South, Sleepy Eye, Mn 56085.

A conditional use permit for Open Bible Church was extended a month to Oct. 31, motion by Krzmarzick, seconded by Gary Windschitl.

Pastor Kyle Asp of Storden, who launched the church with his wife Kathy in August 2022 at the corner of West Main Street and 2nd Ave. N.W., said he has found it challenging to find a business to replace the church’s glass front door.

The purchase of a new, wider, heavy duty, floating boarding dock at Sleepy Eye Lake boat landing was approved, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Andres. The dock form the Minnesota Department of Corrections costs $40,000.

“If we don’t something, the old dock will be scrap metal,” said Sleepy Eye Public Works Director Mike Hardin.

Donations of $4,000 from the Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club for the boat dock, $2,000 from the Sportsmen’s Club and General Federation of Women’s Clubs for park playground equipment, a $1,000 anonymous donation for parks and recreation, $250 from Duncan McGreggor for the Dyckman Library and $40 for Sleepy Eye Ambulance from P.J. and Shari Hittesdorf were unanimously approved, motion by Windschitl, seconded by Stevermer.