South town briefs

City's sesquicentennial Volunteers are sought to help as the city plans its yearlong 150th anniversary celebration in 2010.

A 15-member steering committee has been formed to coordinate and raise funds for the sesquicentennial kickoff and celebration. The kickoff is Jan. 9 at the Eagan Community Center.

Scott Swenson, the event's executive committee chairman, said the steering committee has a diverse group of business and civic leaders. The group has been working on a logo. A website also is being developed at www.Eagan150.com.

"We want neighborhoods, churches, civic and charitable organizations to all be thinking about what things they can do to creatively celebrate the 150th, their presence in Eagan and their own rich history in the community," Mayor Mike Maguire said.

For more information, or to volunteer, call 651-675-5014.

Distasteful water prompts change Foul smells are causing Savage to pull the plug -- for a few weeks, at least -- on its connection with the highly touted new water supply from Burnsville.

After getting scores of complaints, city officials decided to shut down their connection with the Kraemer Quarry Surface Water Treatment Plant, alongside the Minnesota River. Burnsville has bought a new filtration system to help fix a problem that led to hundreds of complaints from its own residents.

County seeks citizens for advisory panels The county is looking for residents with an interest in local government to serve on citizen advisory committees.

The committees, which usually meet monthly or just a few times a year, tackle a variety of topics from public art and libraries to community corrections and watershed planning.

Information about vacancies can be found online at www.dakotacounty.us/CountyGovernment/CAC. The county will accept applications until Friday.

Interested residents should call County Administration at 651-438-4418 for more information and an application. Previous applicants may not need to submit paperwork again but are asked call the county to express interest in a particular position.

2010 tax levy official The Burnsville City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to adopt the city's 2010 budget, which includes no increase in the tax levy.

The council OK'd the application without committing to accepting it. City employees were asked to assess the need and help the council decide.

City salutes firefighters Four firefighters who retired this year after 20 years on the job were honored at a City Council meeting on Dec. 7.

Tom Lawrence retired April 5 after 21 years. He held various positions, including lieutenant, captain and district chief of training.

Doug Nelson retired Aug. 8 after 20 years. He served as firefighter and district chief.

Kevin Perry spent 20 years as a firefighter. He retired April 5.

City taxes will rise by 0.94 percent in 2010 The Apple Valley City Council approved the city's 2010 budget on Dec. 10. The budget includes a 0.94 percent increase in the tax levy. The vote was 4-1, with Council Member Ruth Grendahl opposed.

Grendahl's objections centered on the city's policy of shifting unused tax revenues into a reserve fund. Grendahl said tighter budgeting would prevent citizens' tax dollars from funding what amounts to a city savings account.

Council members John Bergman and Tom Goodwin and Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland supported the idea of a reserve to lessen the burden on taxpayers for future capital projects.

DEAN SPIROS, JOY POWELL AND DAVID PETERSON

Flu clinic Thursday Dakota County Public Health will be holding another vaccination clinic on Thursday to give eligible residents a chance to get H1N1 flu shots.

The clinic will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul. To schedule an appointment, call 6510-438-4777 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The vaccine will be available in the FluMist nasal spray form and by injection. The vaccine is free, but those with health insurance are asked to bring their cards so the insurance companies can be billed for administration of the vaccine.

For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search "H1N1" or call the Dakota County Flu Vaccine Information Line, 651-438-4777.