City keeps tax increase to 4.5%

After reducing taxes by 11.7 percent for 2013, the Benson City Council voted a 4.5 percent increase for 2014.  That increase raises the city’s tax levy by $60,716, from $1.261 million in 2013 to $1.321 million for 2014.
City taxpayers also will be paying $70,896 in taxes to pay down the general obligations bonds approved by voters to pay for the Benson outdoor swimming pool renovation.
The council approved a budget for 2014 that calls for $3,545,787 in revenues and $3,495,733 in expenses. The budget has a projected surplus of $54,054.
State tax law allows the cities to tax specifically for certain operations including police department wage and benefit costs and library operations. The city also taxes to recover for a tax abatement given to Claussen Properties as part of an economic development project.
Photo:  Benson's Mayor Kittelson shared a laugh with VFW auxiliary women at Ambush Park in Benson.  Volunteer efforts and donated items also make the city a more pleasant place to live.