NEW ULM — The New Ulm City Council will adopt the Final 2019 Budget for the city and set the Property Tax Levy at its meeting Tuesday.

The meeting will start at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in New Ulm City Hall.

The total city budget is $23,771,216 with a levy of $7,693,527

Three changes were made to the budget Dec. 4 council. The changes that affect the property were a $10,000 reduction to the police department salaries, $56,000 reduction in the contribution to the Fire Truck/Equipment sinking fund. The third change was to remove the $30,000 general plan update for the budget.

With the changes in place, New Ulm is looking at $469,855 or 6.5 percent increase on the property tax levy.

The city’s tax capacity did increase by 7.78 percent last year. Due to this increase the actual impact to the levy is an 0.85 percent reduction to the tax rate. This means taxes will see a slight decrease in the city portion of property taxes.

However, the average taxable market value of a home increases by an average of nine percent. The average citizen is likely to see an increase in the amount of taxes they pay if this budget and levy is approved.

Senior Dining Lease

The Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Senior Dining 2019 lease agreement will come back to the council. The new agreement being proposed would set the cost for use of the Community Center at $53 per day and change the maximum meals delivered out of New Ulm city limits to 60 percent. LSSS has leased the Community Center’s kitchen and cafetorium for several years.

In 2015, the council reduced the daily fee from $86.50 to $50. In 2016, it was increased to $51 per day.

Safe Route Grant Applications

A resolution to sponsor a project to construct a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) on Broadway at 4th S. Street will be considered.

In October, the council authorized a Safe Routes to School application to fund the cost of installing the RRFB. The cost to install a RRFB at this location is $125,000. If the State Grant is offered it could fund up to 100 percent of the cost. The City would have to fun the preliminary and construction engineering estimated to be $20,000, which is considered a non-eligible project cost.

The council is considering a resolution to act as the sponsoring agency for a project to construct a roundabout at North Highland Ave and Oak Street. The estimated contract cost is $300,000. The grant would fund 100 percent of this project. The city would have to fund preliminary construction estimated at $40,000.

Capital Improvements

The council will receive a report from the city engineer on the proposed 2019 Capital Improvement program. The program includes recommended improvements devoted to reconstruction of deficient roadways and utilities. Since 2008, the city has reconstructed 28.9 miles of roadways at an average 2.6 miles per year. If approved this year, 2.1 miles of failing roadway will be improved.

The estimated cost of improvements is $7,295,594 with an estimated total bonding need of $3,044,029.94 and an estimated amount to be assessed at $1,055,556.

A public hearing will on the proposed Body Worn Camera Policy for the New Ulm Police Department. Prior to approval, the policy must go through a public hearing.