Warmka

NEW ULM–The New Ulm City Council will hold a public hearing on the 2021 city budget today, following the regular council meeting.

This is the first meeting in the city’s truth-in-taxation hearing process. If the council is unable to finish the budget discussion, the hearing will continue next week at 6 p.m, Tuesday, Dec. 8.

In September, the council set the preliminary tax levy at $8,288,283, an increase of 4.96% over the 2020 budget. Even though this budget would increase the overall levy, New Ulm’s tax rate would likely decrease slightly from last year.

The preliminary budget sets the maximum tax levy for next year. The levy can be lowered before the end of the year, but cannot be increased.

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Eric Warmka will take the oath of office during the regular city council meeting and officially join the New Ulm City Council. Interviews were conducted before the Nov. 17 city council meeting to elect a candidate to fill the unexpired term of former Ward 2 councilor Lisa Fischer. Warmka was unanimously selected by the council to complete the term.

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The council will review a report on appointments to city boards and commissions. On Jan. 5, 2021, the council needs to appoint members to fill vacancies.

The vacancies include Economic Development Authority, Airport Commission, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, Personnel Committee, Brown County Solid Waste Advisory Board, Fire Department Relief Association Board, Law Enforcement Center Management Committee, Region Nine Development Commission and Minnesota Valley Coalition of Kaolin.

Currently, the council is represented on these boards and commissions by council president Charlie Schmitz and former Ward 2 councilor Lisa Fischer. Neither councilor will be on the council in 2021. The council will need to select a new representation on these boards by next year.