South news briefs: Shakopee taxes rise, partly for downtown

A desire to push harder on infrastructure improvements, notably in the city's historic downtown area, is helping push property taxes higher in Shakopee.

The City Council last week adopted a $23 million operating budget for next year that brings with it an overall tax hike of about 3 percent.

Among the reasons:

• Bumping up spending on infrastructure improvements such as street reconstruction and trails from $750,000 in 2014 to $1 million.

• Setting aside $500,000 for downtown improvement projects, including infrastructure and work on properties.

• Adding two full-time and two part-time positions and expanding the IT Department.

The total tax levy is $16.8 million, up 2.7 percent. The final levy is down from the preliminary amount set last fall.

Council members have authorized contracts with firms Ballard King and Associates and the 292 Design Group to study the question.

Tasks include looking at feasibility, planning, operations and architecture for athletics facilities and improvements.

The council hired another firm, Springsted, Inc., to look at "funding options for the city portion of the projects' financing."

It also will seek a consultant to look at "the needs of various social and cultural in the city."

For more information, contact Jamie Polley, parks director, at 952-233-9514.

Directed by Russell Adrian, it's a 50-member, auditioned choir.

The "fire" portion features Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies in the Southwest." It's a setting of 10 traditional Spanish Christmas carols, accompanied by harp, guitar and marimba.

The "ice" piece is David Metzger's "Willamette Winter Suite," written for combined adult and middle school choirs.

Prior Lake's Twin Oaks and Hidden Oaks Middle Schools have formed a 40-member choir for this concert and have been rehearsing under the direction of choral music teachers Terri Thomas and Randi Erlandson.

It's the first collaboration between the two groups.

The concert is Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Prior Lake High School Auditorium, 7575 150th St. W, Savage.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students.

The Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Tree of Warmth.

The group seeks donations of new boots, snowpants, waterproof mittens or gloves, hats and warm socks.

Donations are requested by Dec. 12.

All donated items will go to children in the Prior Lake-Savage schools.