Melrose Holds Operating Levy Flat for Sixth Year, Launches Downtown Street Project

MELROSE -- December 14, 2017, Melrose City Council adopts flat $940,000 operating levy and launches $450,000 grant-funded downtown street project. The council voted unanimously Thursday to set the total 2018 tax levy at $1,390,000, up just $5,000 from 2017, entirely from bond debt service, while the operating levy has held steady for six consecutive years. The 2018 budget totals just under $21 million citywide, with the electric fund driving a jump from $17 million in 2017 largely due to more than $4 million in capital projects. The council also authorized engineers to begin design on a First Street and Fourth Avenue reconstruction, a project scoped in 2014 that must spend all $450,000 in state grant funding by June 30, 2018. Additional approvals included a $48,180 payment to Stearns County for 876 hours of police services, a $6,500 brush cleanup contract following a summer windstorm, and increased room rental fees with a new $100 security deposit after recurring facility damage.