Budget wins approval

BAXTER - Baxter has a 2009 budget and levy.

The city council by a 3-1 vote on Tuesday set the levy at $5,211,300, which equated to a tax rate of about 41.9 percent, an increase from 41.04 in 2008. The budget was approved at $17,751,700.

The budget was approved following more than an hour of sometimes contentious comments and one failed motion.

Council member Jim Klein, who voted against the budget as presented, had earlier made a motion to approve the budget with the stipulation that increases in water and sewer rates be held off for six months. Mayor Darrel Olson, who seconded the motion, joined Klein in voting in favor. Council members Rob Moser and Todd Holman voted against. With council member Gary Muehlhausen absent from Tuesday's meeting, the motion was defeated in a tie vote.

Klein argued the budget had several items that could be cut, including vehicles, computers and other equipment. Holman said there was a danger in delaying needed equipment purchases this year because of the possibility of a bulge in purchases down the road.

"I'm at peace with this proposal ... because of the time, attention to detail and the opportunity we've had to call these things out," Holman said.

Klein said in any other year he would be in favor of the budget and levy as proposed, but he felt the poor economy would take its toll on Baxter residents.

"I think you have to put off what you can when you can," Klein said. "Hopefully the economy can pick up in a year, I don't know.

Moser said it was important for the city to think about today's needs as well as the needs 10 or 20 years down the road.

"We've got to find that happy medium, that balancing act, so we don't get behind the eight ball," on equipment needs, Moser said.

Earlier in the meeting, Baxter resident John Sullivan asked the city to reduce the tax levy by $150,000, which would equate to a reduction of about 3 percent.

"I believe in view of the pending economic crisis we're in ... you don't need all the money you are levying for," Sullivan said. "I'm asking for your consideration to give relief, a small amount."

The council took no action on Sullivan's suggestion.

Sullivan also suggested the city bond for projects rather than use 2009 tax dollars. That way, he said, the cost would be spread into the future.

Baxter resident Bob Miller said it was his opinion that there was a lack of in-depth discussion on this year's budget. He said there was more room for discussion and cutting, but he knew the council wouldn't do so because they had an agenda.

"Remember, you are here for the people, the people are not here for you," Miller said.

Baxter resident Mark Cross, who will join the council in January, said it was disingenuous for people to approach the council on the last day with different ideas after all of the budget discussions that have taken place. Responding to Miller, he said the city has been as transparent as it could be.

"This is ridiculous," Cross said. "This is not the way it works."

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.