New Hope Mayor’s Minutes: Mayor for a Day, Budget, and Staying Active
New Hope Mayor Kathi Hemken sits down with Dave Kiser to discuss the latest opportunities for residents.
Mayor for a Day Contest
Students in fourth through sixth grade can enter the Mayor for a Day Essay Contest. The contest asks kids what they would do if they were mayor for a day. The League of Minnesota Cities organizes the contest. Winners receive a $100 gift card and will be recognized in the League of Minnesota Cities magazine, ‘Minnesota Cities.’
Mayor Hemken especially wants to encourage students from New Hope to enter.
“If it happens to be somebody from New Hope, they’ll sit with me at a meeting and actually call the meeting to order and be part of the meeting, ” said Hemken.
Courtesy League of Minnesota Cities
In Motion Brochure
The new issue of New Hope’s recreation guide, In Motion, is now out, covering activities for winter and spring. Mayor Hemken reports it should be arriving soon to your home if it hasn’t already. Additional copies are available at City Hall.
But Mayor Hemken advises not to toss the fall issue just yet.
“I just want to tell people that there’s still some stuff in the fall issue that they can sign up for, so don’t throw that one away quite yet,” said Hemken.
In Motion includes activities for all ages, including some that are repeating classes and others that are one-day classes or events.
In Motion Brochure
2023 Preliminary Budget
New Hope staff are working on the 2023 preliminary budget. Residents should expect a budget increase for the coming year. The general budget levy stands at 4.5 percent, or about $19 million.
“One of the reasons it’s going up is IT charges, wages and benefits, and the police radios,” Mayor Hemken explains. “[The radios] are not being supported by the company anymore. And so they’ll need to be replaced.”
Residents have an opportunity to raise any issues they have with the preliminary budget. That hearing takes place Tuesday, December 5 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Yard Waste Open Until Nov. 30
New Hope residents can drop off yard waste at the Maple Grove Yard Waste Site until November 30.
“It’s a free thing. Bring your license, so they see you’re from New Hope, and you can drop off all that yard waste that you have,” Mayor Hemken recommends.
Find out what materials the site accepts and answers to other common questions at mgyardwaste.com.
Maple Grove Yard Waste Site
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