Ottertail City Council lowers proposed tax levy increase to 10 percent over 2024
News | Published on December 31, 2024 at 12:37pm EST | Author: henningmaster
0New houses continue to pop up in Ottertail
The city of Ottertail continues to see a housing boom since 2016 as 91 new housing projects have been completed in the community. The housing projects are a mixture of single family and multi-family housing.
By Chad Koenen
Publisher
The Ottertail City Council approved a 10 percent tax levy increase for 2025. That number was five percent less-than the 15 percent proposed tax levy increase that was approved in August.
During its regularly scheduled meeting, city clerk/treasurer Amanda Thorson said the city was able to lower the tax levy even more than an anticipated 15 percent tax levy increase due to differences in how the city will be billed for things like snow removal and having more firm numbers for upcoming revenue and expenses.
The Ottertail City Council received a donation from the Ottertail Rod and Gun Club to make improvements to the demo derby area. The demo derby is usually one of the better attended events during the annual OtterFest celebration.
The city council thanked Thorson for working on lowering the final tax levy from a 15 percent tax levy increase.
The final tax levy for 2025 will increase to $779,462, which is approximately $71,000 over last year’s tax levy.
In other news
• Accepted a $3,500 donation from the Ottertail Rod and Gun Club for the Ottertail Fire Department to purchase extraction chainsaws, as well as $3,200 for the fire department to purchase life jackets and $10,000 for improvements at the demo derby arena.
• Accepted a $21,539 donation from the Ottertail Business and Community Association to purchase new playground equipment at the community park.
• Heard there were 91 total residential building permits that were approved from 2016-24, including 51 single family homes, 16 multi-family units, 24 duplexes and 16 four-plexes. There were 19 units that were approved through the Big Build program within the city limits from 2020-24.
• Discussed the vacancy that will occur on the Ottertail City Council after the first of the year. Ottertail Mayor Ron Grobeck was also elected to the city council as part of a write-in election in November. The city council is currently seeking a letter of interest from local residents that will include details on what qualifies the person to serve on the city council, background and why they want to serve on the city council. The deadline for submission is January 15 and can be submitted by dropping off the information at city hall or emailing clerkotcity@arvig.net.