Briefs: Dakota County Board approves 2012 budget

The Dakota County Board last week approved a $305 million county budget for 2012, including a $129.4 million property tax levy that is basically flat when compared with 2011.

The tax impact for homeowners will vary based on the new formula for market-value exclusion, but in an example for a home with the median value of $200,800, the county's share of the tax bill would go up by about $20.

The county's 2012 plan decreases the operating budget by about 2 percent, mostly through efficiencies and the elimination of 32 vacant positions. County officials noted that they have cut nearly $31 million from the operating budget over the last three years and can still claim the lowest tax rate in the metro area.

The board also voted during the same meeting to set salaries for the county administrator and elected officials, approving a 1.5 percent increase plus a $1,000 one-time payment to compensate for a change in county health insurance premiums. The 2012 salary for a county commissioner is $66,400.

Arbors raises money for police honor guardThe Oktoberfest fundraiser at Arbors at Ridges Assisted Living raised $1,800 for the Burnsville Police Department.

The donation will be used to pay for new uniforms for the department's honor guard, which attends law enforcement officer funerals, memorials and other events.

"We are very appreciative of the work done by the Arbors employees to hold these fundraisers year after year," said Dave Zerwas, a police sergeant and honor guard member.

Writing workshop for teens Dec. 27-28Teens aspiring to write short stories can hone their skills at a free workshop at Wescott Library on Dec. 27 and 28.

Author Ethan Rutherford, who has taught at the Loft Literary Center and Macalester College, will lead participants ages 12 to 18 through writing exercises, group discussion and critiques. The workshops will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and participants are asked to attend both workshops. Registration is required.

For more information and to register, go to www.dakotacounty.us/library or call 651-450-2900.

City adopts storm water utility feeInver Grove Heights last week became the last large city in Dakota County to adopt a storm water utility fee.

The City Council voted 4-1 to create the fee to help pay for storm water management mandated by the state.

Council members who favored the fee acknowledged it is a new tax but said it benefits homeowners and businesses by spreading the cost of storm water maintenance to more properties in the city.

Owners of single-family homes in rural areas of the city will pay a fee of $6 to $11 a year. Homeowners in urban areas of the city will pay between $15.26 and $32.11 a year.

Public Works Director Scott Thureen said the fee will be implemented in the third quarter of next year.

Park-and-ride lot set to open a year earlyThe Rosemount City Council has approved paying $750,000 to get its first permanent park-and-ride lot opened a year earlier than planned.

The money is to be repaid in 2013 by a federal government grant the city won, said Kim Lindquist, city community development director. She said the city is fronting the money to get the lot opened early on vacant city property just south of City Hall. The Met Council has agreed to provide a local match of $250,000 for the $1 million, 100-stall parking area, which is expected to open next fall.

Pre-paid passes for par 3 golf courseMendota Heights is offering a new punch card for pre-paid play at its Par 3 golf course at 1695 Dodd Road.

Five-round cards cost $45, and 10-round cards are $90. That's a 10 percent savings over the junior and senior rates.

"We receive a lot of feedback from our golfers," said Jake Sedlacek, assistant to the city manager. "One of the things that kept coming up was the need for pre-paid rounds. These cards allow you to give five or 10 rounds of golf as a gift. They are available just in time for the holiday season."

Cards may be purchased at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.

The course operates from April to October. For more information, go to www.mendota-heights.com.