The Worthington City Council will vote this afternoon on pre-certification of the city’s 2025 levy after agreeing to move forward with a number that reflects an 18 percent increase over last year.
During Monday’s meeting, Worthington City Administrator Steve Robinson presented a proposed preliminary tax levy of $8,479,206 that broke down into an operating levy of $7,386,917 and special tax levies of $1,092,289. The proposed levy represented a 16.85% increase over 2024.
It was also noted that all three union contracts for city employees are up for renewal, and health insurance costs for next year remain unknown. City Councilman Chad Cummings added that he felt it would be in the city’s best interests to set the preliminary number higher, noting not just the unknown but also the good sense of putting aside money in reserve for a proposed new ice facility. Cummings explained he felt it was important to keep progressive movement in the community by continuing to make growth possible.
Robinson was to put together budget numbers for today’s pre-certification meeting, which is scheduled for noon This proposed levy is an amount not to exceed and may be lowered, but not raised for the final levy certification in December.
In another matter, council members approved soil mitigation assistance for New Tec at its recently purchased property in the Bio Science Industrial Park Third Addition. After buying the land from the city, New Tec undertook a geotechnical investigation and soil borings noted the presence of unsuitable soils throughout the proposed building footprint. The geotechnical engineers have recommended that unsuitable soils be excavated and replaced. The unsuitable soils may extend to a depth of 6 feet below grade.
New Tec's contractor has provided an estimate that if the entire building site would require excavation to an approximate depth of 6 feet, the over excavation quantity is approximately 7,000 cubic yards and the estimated structural backfill is approximately 9,300 tons of material. The estimated cost is $213,000.
The city's efforts to mitigate the soil conditions at the site will be contingent on requiring New Tec to have American Engineering perform geotechnical observation and oversite during excavation procedures.
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