Mayor’s Minutes: New Hope’s Kathi Hemken
New Hope Mayor Kathi Hemken spoke with CCX Media’s Dave Kiser about the end of the budget process for the city.
The budget was finalized and voted in on December 11. Part of the process this year was valuations for homes in the city. The levy increase over last year was 5.36 percent, which increases taxes on a $100,000 home from $29 to $93.
More than 500 residents submitted responses to this year’s New Hope City Services Survey.
“If you’re actually going to sell your house, you’re excited about (the valuations),” said Hemken. “If you’re not, you’re not real excited about the valuation going up dramatically.”
She also noted that the levy increase is smaller than many neighboring suburban cities.
As for the recent completion of the City Services Survey, Hemken said the city received 561 responses–about half on paper and half electronically. The survey was open between July 1 and October 1. Feedback was directed to specific city departments to consider, Hemken said.
“That’s how we make some decisions about what programming to run and how to spend some of your tax money,” she said.
On another note, Hemken encourages residents to consider renting the clubhouse at New Hope Village Golf Course for holiday parties.
“It’s really nice because you don’t have to clean the house,” she said. “There’s a nice, warm area and a nice bathroom. It’s really nicely decorated and (there’s) great parking.”
