Local Results Survey
At the June 2011 City of Montrose Council meeting the City Council approved the Council on Local Results and Innovation performance measurement program that the state reports "will aid residents, taxpayers, and state and local elected officials in determining the efficacy of counties and cities in providing services, and measure residents' opinions of those services." "Cities and counties that choose to participate in the new standards measure program may be eligible for a reimbursement in LGA, and EXEMPTION from levy limits." (Emphasis added)
At the City Council Meeting this month July 9th, 2012 (the filing DEADLINE for this year was July 1st) it was suggested to the city council that the city no longer participate as the reimbursement from the state wouldn't cover the cost, the city would be on the hook for about $100. The council asked if there was any benefit to the program and they were told there wasn't BUT if you note from the last paragraph there is potential benefit. When the exemption from Levy Limits was brought up it was noted that the city hasn't raised taxes in a few years so they didn't think that was a concern. The city still plans to administer the Survey that has the 10 performing measures.
Private Meeting
The Mayor noted they had a PRIVATE meeting with select individuals of the community on June 28th along with the Mayor and City Staff. The notice of the meeting said there would be a brief presentation on the State of the City followed by a question and answer session and RUMOR PATROL, a chance for the City to respond to what you may be hearing in the community.
Relative Status
I also noted that the new utility billing clerk is the wife of the former utility billing clerk who moved on to a new job. The new utility billing clerk is contracted through a temp agency, which was done prior to council approval but the council was given an update on it at the June meeting. Supposedly time was of the essence though the June council meeting was about 1 week after he gave his 2 week notice.
6/14/12
Water Rate Increases
In the City of Montrose Spring newsletter it said they "Balanced rate adjustments to remain in the Wright County average". I'm not entirely sure what this means as our water/sewer bills increased 13-14% this year. [The Fall 2012 newsletter October 2012 says Montrose is in the middle of the pack among other Wright County cities.]
Regarding our sewer/water rates, around May 2011 last year they did a Water and Sewer Bill study based on 5000 gallons. It noted then the average was $74.44. The mean on the graph was $66.10 (Buffalo). Montrose was at $78.20, the 6th most expensive of the 17 that were on the graph. 10 of the 17 were in Wright County. Monticello was the least expensive at $32.53. Howard Lake $109.67 and Waverly $136.90 were the most expensive.
City of Montrose Graph with Notes (click for larger image):
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