Proposed levy: White Bear Township taxes going up

White Bear Press

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP — Whenever talking about city budgets, the number one question is: What will happen to taxes?

For White Bear Township, it’s looking like taxes will be going up.

The White Bear Town Board voted to approve a preliminary tax levy of just more than $3.5 million during a board meeting on Sept. 6.

However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to town residents. During the annual meeting in March, residents approved a levy for $10,000 more.

The tax rate will be higher in 2018 than in 2017 due to the levy but lower than in 2014 and 2013, according to a city memo concerning the levy.

A final levy amount will be approved by residents during a meeting on Dec. 12 at Heritage Hall.

In other action at the Sept. 6 meeting, the board:

• Approved a conditional use permit for Southwind Holdings to eliminate the car wash at the Bald Eagle Quick Stop gas station and move a liquor store to the car wash building, provided that the owner provide enough parking spaces, including three handicapped parking spaces.

• Scheduled an abatement appeal hearing for Sept. 11 regarding a tree removal on a residential property. If the tree were removed before the date, the hearing would be canceled.

• Approved an agreement between Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. and the town for the consultant to provide water resources, traffic engineering services and development reviews. Payment would be charged on an hourly basis, at a charge of $55 to $240 depending on service.

• Held a closed meeting for more than 40 minutes to discuss the lake level lawsuit decision.