INVEST IN WARD 1

Streets and utilities are the most critical infrastructure in any city.  In 2028, we're kicking off a large street and utility rebuild between Rossman and Washington on the North side..  It's the biggest north-side project in twenty years and I'm pushing to get it done - and to keep the tax assessment as low as we can. 

This can be done a number of ways including Public Facilities Authority (PFA) low-interest loans and grants, Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) designations, applying for state bonding dollars, managing the term of the assessment, and other grants and funding to be explored.

There are more streets to be done and I've already asked our City Engineer to start looking into where these should fit into our Capital Improvement Plan so we know when they will get done and can keep our residents informed and planning.

REFRESH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Our current was create more than two decades ago and, while it's been updated since then, it's time for a focused planning effort to look to the future. This plan helps us tell developers and residents what the plan is for the city.  

This includes where we're going to grow, whether something is a business or residential district, and where to consider investing in business or home.  It also helps inform our capital spending and planning and by informing our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

KEEP TAXES MANAGEABLE

For 2026, the preliminary levy started at 7.44% and ended up at 6.46%.  This was your city council, including me, working hard to balance the cost of city services against the costs to our residents and taxpayers.  Things like transfers from our city-owned electric utility and liquor store help offset these costs and the rest comes from solid planning and hard choices. 

Look for the new preliminary levy at the September council meeting where the budget committee is proposing 6.74%.  It's a solid plan for operating the city, managing future capital costs, and minimizing the impact on our residents.

SIMPLER RULES, PLAINLY WRITTEN

So far, we've revised simplified and revised parts of the business zoning so they're easier to understand and build on each other.  We've cut the parking requirements by about 20% as they generating variance after variance.  I want to continue looking at the rest of our zoning to see where we need updates and simplification.  Bottom line, I want to make it easier to live and work in Detroit Lakes!