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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com

September 4, 2014 • Volume 129 • Number 27

NEWS

Farmington’s preliminary levy increase 4.97 percent

Support Our Troops ‘Fright Night’ coming to fairgrounds

Increase of $45.55 for average house

Fundraising haunted house event growing to two weekends Page 2A

OPINION Rethink the MCA III tests

by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The Farmington City Council approved a preliminary tax levy of 4.97 percent during Tuesday’s meeting at City Hall. The 2015 tax levy is expected to create an increase of $45.55 for the average house for the city’s portion of property taxes. The estimated market value for the

average house is expected to be $197,416, which is a 10.08 percent increase from 2014. “It isn’t an easy task by any means when it comes to representing the public when you’re asking for more money,” Councilmember Douglas Bonar said. “It’s up to us as an elected council and our administration and staff that we do our due diligence. We make sure what is requested is used well and I’m confident that is the case now and in the future.” The increase covers a raise in

human resource costs, increased investment in technology, a reduced reliance on investment income and funds for debt payments. The city had several projects already approved, including funding for the capital improvement plan that includes reconstruction of 195th Street from Flagstaff to Diamond Path, which is scheduled to begin next year. About 4 percent of the increase was already approved expenditures. The budget provides increased

expenditures in technology to enhance customer service and it delays an increase in staffing. The city also received $276,607 in local government aid again this year, but the council uses the funds for one-time purchases, not ongoing, recurring operations. It will be used for a customer survey on strategic planning efforts, special assessments for a hotel parcel, a portion of the fire capital improvement plan and new computer software.

Learn from success of recent years. Page 4A

See FARMINGTON, 6A

Rosemount’s Levy increase is 1.95 percent

THISWEEKEND

Police officer hire, spending to address growth included in budget by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Dancing into the future Lakeville’s Ballet Royale is celebrating the opening of its new studio with a grand opening event on Sunday. Page 17A

SPORTS

All-day kindergarten begins Top: Kindergartners at Rosemount Elementary School ate breakfast early Tuesday morning on the first day of school. This year, all-day kindergarten is free for all students in Minnesota, and, because of additional state legislation, the state is also funding free breakfasts for all kindergarten students. Right: Pat DeBord, a kindergarten teacher at Rosemount Elementary School, reads to her class during breakfast Tuesday morning. This is the first year for free all-day kindergarten at schools across Minnesota. (Photos by Jennifer Chick)

The city portion of property taxes on the median value home is expected to increase by $26 for 2015, based on a preliminary budget discussed by the Rosemount City Council during an Aug. 26 work session. The preliminary 2015 budget projects a 1.95 percent increase in the city’s overall levy, which has a direct impact on residential property taxes. The $26, or 2.9 percent, increase from $885 to $911 in the city portion of taxes assumes an increased in market value from $204,500 to $220,500 from 2014 to 2015 – a 7.8 percent rise, which is the average projected for Rosemount homes by the Dakota County assessor. The budget has been pared since Aug. 11, when a version of the budget See ROSEMOUNT, 6A

Rosemount wins big Eastview football no match for Irish. Page 10A

ONLINE To receive a feed of breaking news stories, follow us at twitter.com/SunThisweek.

PUBLIC NOTICE Minutes of District 194 and District 196 school board meetings can be found on Page 12A.

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . 5A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Public Notices . . . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070

Calling all country music fans Ramble Jam coming to Dakota County Fairgrounds by Jennifer Chick SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Ramble Jam is becoming known as a venue for up-and-coming country music stars. This year country music fans will flood the Dakota County Fairgrounds for Ramble Jam in Farmington Sept. 12-13. Tickets are still available for the two days of country music entertainment. “If you want to come out and have a great weekend, we’ve got phenomenal talent,” said Lori Jensen, Ramble Jam’s fundraising chair. “If you want to see a first-rate music festival, ours rates right up there.” Ramble Jam is the only fundraiser of the 27-member Farmington Rotary

Club. All proceeds will be used to fund Rotarysponsored projects like scholarships, the STRIVE program (Students Taking Renewed Interest and Value in Education), the senior holiday luncheon, Farmington food shelf and park and recreation youth scholarships. Jensen said the club has set a goal of $20,000 raised through the 2014 Ramble Jam. “Ticket sales have been going extremely well,” she said. “We always pray for good weather and warm weather.” Ramble Jam cranks the music up beginning Friday night, Sept. 12, with Lost Highway, one of the Upper Midwest region’s top country bands. The band starts the night at 6 p.m. Next up on the stage is singer and songwriter Sam Hunt at 8 p.m., followed by Chase Rice at 10 p.m. “We are kind of getting known for the up and comers,” Jensen said.

“We are very fortunate that Sam Hunt and Chase Rice have really had a lot of good music out right now.” Hunt is a rising star in the country music scene with the hit “Leave the Night On.” His “X2C” debut album hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. And guess who’s sitting at No. 1 this week on that countdown? Rice with his “Ignite the Night” album. Rice also co-wrote “Cruise,” the massive hit from Florida Georgia Line. Ramble Jam organizers get advice from a talent buyer and schedules acts almost a year in advance of the festival. Organizers rely on the talent buyer to help them schedule the next big acts. “This one we just hit on the head,” Jensen said. Saturday’s entertainment starts at 2 p.m. with Twin Cities musician Todd Maggie Rose performs at the 2013 Ramble Jam in Farmington. (Photo by XPressive Images by Jamie) See RAMBLE, 6A


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