Golden Valley Approves Preliminary Budget
The Golden Valley City Council approved a $22.8 million preliminary budget Tuesday. The 2020 budget includes the addition of a police officer. It also includes the hire of an equity, inclusion and volunteer coordinator.
The total tax levy is about $25 million. For the median valued home of $327,000 in Golden Valley, city property taxes would go up $63.42, a 3.89 percent increase over 2019. Keep in mind the increase also depends on how much the home value increased.
According to Golden Valley City Council member Joanie Clausen, the city is in the middle when it comes to its tax levy request compared to other cities in the metro.
Concerns with Fiscal Disparities
Under its 2020 budget, Golden Valley must pay out $5.6 million in fiscal disparities due to the city’s strong commercial sector. The state legislature approved fiscal disparities payouts in 1971 to help communities that have a weaker tax base.
Golden Valley City Council member Larry Fonnest believes that program needs a revamp.
“This is money that in my view we could really use here in Golden Valley,” Fonnest said. “We have crumbling infrastructure. We have roads that we’ve been discussing this evening that need attention. The list goes on and on.”
Fonnest added, “I am not begrudging any other city that needs assistance. But I think we have been rowing this particular boat since the 70s and it’s time that our state legislators look at this and come up with a better solution.”
Golden Valley is expected to approve a final budget at its Dec. 3 meeting.
