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Briefs: Mendota Heights earns AAA bond rating

October 5, 2013 at 8:22PM

Burnsville firefighters worked at a training facility. The city’s Fire Department will hold an open house on Oct. 10. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The city of Mendota Heights has been assigned a bond rating of AAA by the Standard & Poor's Rating Service for an upcoming bond issue of $1.7 million for street improvements.

AAA is the highest bond rating a city can attain.

"We are extremely honored that our city's financial health has been recognized by this upgraded rating," Mayor Sandra Krebsbach said. "We have always taken great care in delivering strong city services to our residents while maintaining a solid financial foundation. This achievement is a credit to the hard work of city councils and staff over many decades. "

According to S&P, about 200 municipalities have AAA rating. With a population of 11,000, Mendota Heights is among the smallest cities in Minnesota to gain a AAA rating. The city said it will deliver savings of thousands of dollars a year in lower interest rates.

Burnsville

Fire Department has annual open house

Burnsville's annual Fire Department open house will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Fire Station No. 1, 911 W. 140th St. Parking is available in the nearby Kohl's lot.

The open house provides information about the department and fire safety.

City's three highest salaries made public

Complying with state law, Burnsville has posted the salaries of its three highest paid employees.

City Manager Heather Johnston makes $139,000. Public Works Director Steve Albrecht makes $125,085. And Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Terry Schultz makes $120,000.

Dakota County

Property taxes are due by Oct. 15

Property taxes for the first half of 2013 are due Oct. 15.

Dakota County will assess a penalty for late payments. The penalty depends on the tax amount, property classification and the date of the payment. Penalties are listed on the back of property tax statements sent to residents earlier this year.

Property taxes can be paid online, by phone or by mail. Mailed payments must be postmarked by midnight Oct. 15 to be considered timely. Payments can also be made in person on weekdays at the following times and locations: from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Property Taxation & Records Office at the Dakota County Administration Center, 1590 Hwy. 55, Hastings; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the service desk at Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley; and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dakota County Northern Service Center, 1 W. Mendota Road W., West St. Paul.

For more information, call the Dakota County Property Information line at 651-438-4576 or see www.dakotacounty.us and search pay property taxes.

West St. Paul

Robert Street transit subject of open house

Two public open houses are scheduled to provide information on transit alternatives under consideration for Robert Street.

The first is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Room 110 of the Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul. The second is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Ferber Room of the Neighborhood House, 179 E. Robie St., St. Paul.

Information will be provided on the proposed station locations and service plans for the three remaining alternatives in the study: rapid bus service on Robert Street between downtown St. Paul and Mendota Road in West St. Paul; a streetcar on Robert Street between downtown St. Paul and Mendota Road in West St. Paul; and bus rapid transit on Hwy. 52 from downtown St. Paul to Inver Grove Heights.

Planners would like feedback on the proposals. There will not be a formal presentation at the open houses, but staff members will be available to answer questions.

For more about the study, see www.robertstreettransit.com.

Laurie Blake, Susan Feyder