Doggone! It's going to cost more to get a Baxter pet back

BAXTER -- Fees to get a pet out of the impound are going up in Baxter.

The Baxter City Council voted Tuesday to increase the fee to reclaim a pet from animal control from $25 to $40. Baxter charges pet owners an additional $25 pickup fee above the daily impound fee of $7 charged by Heartland Animal Rescue Team in the humane society animal service agreement. The agreement also has a 50 cents per capita fee to residents.

The approved contract raises the per capita fee to $1.50 or $8,332 per year and the daily impound fee to $10. With the HART contract and the budget for the animal control officer, the city expects the 2003 budget to reflect $11,932 in total animal control-related expenditures.

Baxter Mayor Gary Muehlhausen received confirmation fees are per animal.

"I need to talk to my wife before she pays 80 bucks," Muehlhausen said.

In regard to budgets, the council was reminded the final budget has to be adopted before the end of the year. Council member Darrel Olson confirmed the council could still adjust the budget internally after it was adopted and the levy submitted.

In other business, the council:

Noted more time was needed for Muehlhausen to complete discussions with Brainerd officials regarding the lodging tax. At Baxter's Nov. 25 workshop, the council discussed taking over lodging tax administrative duties.

Amended a legal description for the Clearwater Estates Tax Increment Financing District with a few questions from the council as to whether the only buildings covered are the ones developers are moving ahead with. Staff noted the time clock started on the 15-year TIF district and is ticking whether the buildings are completed by then or not.

Staff said amending the legal description for the JMS Baxter Estates was a technical cleanup issue. In August, the city adopted the TIF district with a preliminary plat that showed four apartment buildings. So far one building permit has been pulled with the city.

Agreed to schedule a joint workshop with the Utilities Commission and the Industrial Park Commission to discuss the Cypress Drive extension and Dondelinger's position and problems with the road project related to their Chevrolet dealership.

Approved partial payment to Pratt's Affordable Excavating for $29,155.70 for the Kentwood Stormwater Project Phase One contingent upon city engineer's checking to make sure the holding pond was excavated per the plan.

Approved engineering services from Widseth Smith Nolting, engineering and design firm in Baxter, for the Forestview Middle School sewer and water master plan not to exceed $9,800.

The council adjourned after meeting for about 45 minutes. Several items will be discussed again at the Jan. 4 council retreat at city hall.