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Just West of Waconia on Hwy 5 952-442-5000 |
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Sebenaler Chiropractic Center Chaska * 952-448-9908 |
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CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency David Barsness * 952-448-5028 |
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8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria 952-443-2351 |
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MACKENTHUN’S MEAT & DELI St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1234 |
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Dine in Downtown Victoria * 952-443-2858 |
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952-442-4411 |
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“Trees Are Our Roots” 8099 Bavaria Rd * Victoria * 952-443-2990 |
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Island View Dining Waconia. 952-442-2956 |
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General fund revenues and expenditures for 2011 are projected to be $3,673,227 which is an 8% decrease over the budget of 2010. In spite of that decrease, the city was still able to set aside $150,000 for capital equipment for both Public Works and the Fire Department, said Jylan. As for the Victoria Recreation Center, revenues went up 20% from 2010 to $1,046,912 while expenditures went up 12%. Jylan pointed out that some numbers in the Center’s budget are reimbursable expenses. For example, the City of Victoria pays for the utilities and then gets reimbursed by School District 112, a partner in the Center’s operation. Final 2011 tax levy for the Victoria Recreation Center is $250,000 which is the same as for 2010. Budget for the Center projects a 2011 year-end fund balance of $317,949 to provide reserves for capital replacement and maintenance on the facility. In adopting the 2011 city budget, outgoing Councilmember Tim Amundsen stated, “The best deal the city gets is for the five people sitting up here. It’s also one of the most fulfilling things a person can do.” Agreed Councilmember Kim Roden, “Hopefully no one thinks they’re paying too much for us.” [Just as a point of reference, as long as it came up, the mayor is paid $675 per quarter ($2,700 annually) and the other four councilmembers are paid $600 per quarter ($2,400 annually). Stated Jylan, “Their stipend has not increased since I have been with the city, June 2001.”] Mayor Mary Thun thanked the city staff and the Finance Committee, which includes citizen volunteers.
SNOW CAN BE A BUDGET BUSTER IF IT KEEPS DUMPING ON VICTORIA City Administrator Don Uram reported on December13th that there was a medical emergency in Victoria during the recent snowstorm and an ambulance was unable to get to the house. Victoria Public Works Director said the storm was nearly a 24-hour event. “We received nearly 17 to 18 inches of snow with the wind blowing,” she said. “The guys were here all day Saturday. It was a real struggle to keep up. We’re still doing trails and sidewalks that have four to five feet of snow on them. There have been a few complaints but the guys certainly deserve a lot of credit.” Stated Councilmember Amundsen, “I certainly know they’re not trying to tear up yards and plow down mailboxes.” Added Mayor Mary Thun, “I think they’ve done an excellent job. At some point we’re going to have to look at costs if this keeps up.” More snow means more time and overtime and fuel and equipment costs for the city’s Public Works Department. Summarized Mr. Uram, “It’s what you call a budget buster.” “And it’s only December!” stated Councilmember Tom O’Connor.
VICTORIA PARTNERS WITH CARVER COUNTY AND OTHER CITIES FOR GIS SERVICE Councilmembers approved a shared Government Information System (GIS) for 2011 through Carver County that also includes the cities of Chaska, Waconia, and Norwood Young America. By definition, GIS is a system used to visualize and analyze geographic features and data related to them. Victoria will receive six hours per week as the county provides the staff person with the necessary computer and software to get the work done. The cost for this agreement is not to exceed $36.50 per hour or roughly $11,000 per year for Victoria. As outlined, the county will set up the GIS equipment to collect data on public works infrastructure such as watermain valves, stormwater facilities, and sanitary sewer lines. The GIS person will assist the fire department with GPS systems, coordinating them with the county GIS mapping capabilities. The service also includes updating maps for Park and Recreation marketing, coordinating data collection between all partner communities to create a standard data base, and providing updates to GIS software as needed.
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January 2011 |
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