The Wells City Council adopted their preliminary 2025 tax levy collectible in 2026 at their regular meeting on Monday, Sept 22.

The preliminary levy of $2,157,521 represents a 19.59 percent increase over last year’s levy of $1,804,063.

“Once we set the preliminary levy we can’t raise the final levy amount,” city administrator Tiffany Schrader reminded the council members. “However, we can lower it before we have to adopt the final levy at our Truth In Taxation meeting.”

Schrader outlined the major differences from last year in the proposed levy.

“The General Fund is proposed to increase by 10.26 percent, or $107,297,” Schrader said. “The capital levy is increasing by $5,000 which represents a 2.22 percent increase.”

Included in the proposed capital levy increases is money to repair the lift station pump in the basement of City Hall, crack fill and seal coat to cover 250,000 square feet, a possible new Gator for the Street Department and a lighting upgrade for the theater.

“The total debt levy is increasing $238,661 and would increase from $300,539 to $539,200 under the proposed levy,” Schrader stated. “The 2018A and 2021A GO Bonds have sufficient fund balances and opting to lower the amounts for these two debt payments is an option.”

The council set the Truth In Taxation meeting for Dec. 8, at 6 p.m.

Police chief Tim Brenegan was at the meeting and reported the squad car that had been damaged by hitting a deer has been repaired and is back in service.

City engineer Ben Rosol updated the council on the Broadway Avenue project.

“All of the underground work is done,” Rosol commented. “There is gravel work to be done and then they hope to be able to pour the concrete by the end of next week.”

Rosol also gave a quick update on the Highway 22/109 project.

“They are ready to start advertising for bids,” Rosol said. “Oct. 22 is set as the day to open the bids”

The MnDOT project includes Highway 109 from the west end of town to Highway 22 and Highway 22 from the south end of town to County Road 29.

“Work will most likely start at the west end of Highway 109 next spring and be completed up to the junction of Highway 22,” Rosol explained. “They would also try and get Highway 22 done from that intersection north to CR 29. Then, in 2027, they would do the section of Highway 22 south from the intersection of Highways 22 and 109.”

The council passed a resolution to advertise for bids on the project.

Rosol informed the council that a Department of Natural Resources Grant to deal with the emerald ash borer was now open for applications.

“It is a competitive grant,” Rosol commented. “Unfortunately, Wells might not be in a good position to get it. There is a map with shaded areas that supposedly indicate areas with more problems and Wells is not in the shaded area.”

Another grant Rosol mentioned the council may want to consider applying for in the next couple of months is the LRIP (Local Road Improvement Plan) Grant.

“You do not need to make a decision on that grant today,” Rosol clarified. “But I would recommend looking into it. The application closes for that grant in December.”

A public hearing on the adoption of ordinance 2025-02 to amend Wells City Code Section 152.137 related to building permits had no comments and the change to the ordinance was adopted.

The council went into closed session to have an attorney/client discussion about pending litigation, specifically labor arbitration involving Eric Neubauer.

In other business, the council:

• Voted to donate $1,500 to the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce as they have done in previous years.

• Approved the request by the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce to use the municipal parking lot by the VFW on Thursday, Oct. 31, for Trunk or Treat vehicles to set up during the annual Trunk or Treat event in downtown Wells.

• Approved closing two blocks of South Broadway between Franklin Street and Second Street on Friday, Nov. 21, for the annual Wells Does It Bright festival which runs from 4-7 p.m. A glow-lighted parade will also be held that evening beginning at 7:15 p.m.