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Saturday, September 19, 2020
Benton County sets 2021 preliminary property tax levy
An artist’s
Kulzer sculpted Princess Kay, Smallest increase finalists’ in five years butterheads BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER
BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER
FOLEY – Taxpayers may see their lowest county hike in five years. The Benton County Board approved the smallest increase year over year in the property tax levy since 2016, asking taxpayers for a 0.5% boost in revenue for 2021. Commissioners approved a $20,219,966 levy, amounting to a $100,597 increase over 2020 at is Sept. 15 meeting in Foley. With tax capacity growth taken into account, the county tax rate is expected to fall 3.14%, or from 58.45% in 2020 to 55.31% in 2021. Preliminary levies are set each year in September by some taxing authorities such as cities, school districts and the county. Preliminary levies can be reduced prior to the coming year, but per state law can never rise above what was initially approved.
LITCHFIELD – From growing up on a farm in Stearns County to pursuing a career in fine arts, Gerry Kulzer’s most recent opportunity brought together both of his worlds. “This was a great blend of doing what I love and bringing me back to my childhood,” said Kulzer, who grew up on a grain farm near Sauk Centre. Kulzer – a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School instructor for graphic communications, photography and
Benton County page 2
dream
Same Local Coverage Since 1854.
Vol. 166, No. 24
Litchfield, carved the butterheads in place of longtime butter sculptor Linda Christensen, who resides in California. Due to the travel restrictions and the risks of COVID-19, Christensen joined Kulzer virtually to assist in carving Princess Kay’s likeness and then plans to return to Minnesota next year for her 50th year in the butter booth at the fair. “The original plan was for Linda to carve a majority of the butterheads, and I would do about three of them,” Kulzer said. “I was really looking forward to carving together with her, but plans changed, and we PHOTO COURTESY OF MIDWEST DAIRY Gerry Kulzer sculpts Princess Kay of the Milky Way Brenna Connelly’s likeness in butter worked together virtually Aug. 13 at the Minnesota State Fair grounds in St. Paul. Long-time butter sculptor Linda this year.” Kulzer’s coveted opChristensen was available via video conference to assist with the carving. portunity came about after yearbook – carved the the remaining nine final- sota State Fair grounds in a simple inquiry. 67th Princess Kay of the ists’ butterheads being St. Paul. The final day of Milky Way’s likeness sculpted in the days that carving was Aug. 22. Kulzer page 3 in butter Aug. 13, with followed at the MinneThe sculptor, of
Backing the blue
Gales encourages law enforcement through yard signs BY ANNA HINKEMEYER town and collected dona- ber. This year, the comSTAFF WRITER tions to order the first 51 memorative day falls on
SAUK RAPIDS – Merle Gales has long been a supporter of law enforcement. He proudly displays signs in his yard supporting officers like his son, Sean, an officer with the Sauk Rapids Police Department. Gales was sitting in his Sauk Rapids yard in June when he noticed his “We Support Law Enforcement” sign was weathered and faded. As he thought how to replace it, an idea to create his own signs came to mind. The pet project has since taken off. “It started as a labor of love because of how society puts down cops,” Gales said. “I went to businesses in
signs. From then on, it just blew up.” Gales’ friends, Ovid Henry and Sue Baden, requested signs and have joined in spreading the cause across central Minnesota. What first started small has grown to 430 signs. The signs go hand-inhand with National Thank a Police Officer Day, celebrated each year on the third Saturday in Septem-
Saturday, Sept. 19. With the distribution of signs, the three ask for donations. Most free-will offerings go to producing more signs, but the money also benefits the Sauk Rapids Police Department in the form of donations or items brought to officers on shift such as treats and coffee from BY ANNA HINKEMEYER Rock Creek Coffeehouse. Ovid Henry (left) and Merle PHOTO Gales stand with a law
Signs page 2
enforcement support sign Sept. 14 in Sauk Rapids. Gales started making signs in June to distribute around the community.
PUBLIC NOTICES • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Sept. 1, 2020 - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Special Budget Meeting - pg. 10 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Meeting Minutes - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Notice of Public Hearing - pg. 10 • Mortgage Foreclosure Postponement - pg. 10 • Watab Township Request for Bids - pg. 10
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