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City Council Minutes <br /> December 5,2022 <br /> Page 2 of 9 <br /> 4. Open Forum <br /> No one appeared for open forum. <br /> 5.1. Employee Retirement/Resignation Recognitions <br /> Rich Spiczka stated Ton Nelson, former Fire Chief, retired effective November <br /> 20, 2022 and was with the fire department for over 26 years. The Council <br /> thanked Mr. Nelson for his service and wished him well in retirement. <br /> Mr. Spiczka stated Chief Kiang was not in attendance and they will invite him to <br /> the January meeting. <br /> Mr. Spiczka stated Dawn Bittner, prior Zoning Specialist, retired November 25, <br /> 2022 after 21 years of service with the City. The Council thanked her for her <br /> service and Mayor Gardner presented her with a plaque. Mr. Nelson and Ms. <br /> Bittner were called up front to take a picture with the Council. <br /> 5.2. 2023 Final Lew Approval <br /> Mayor Gardner asked for a motion to open the public hearing. <br /> COUNCIL MEMBER CLEMENT MOVED TO OPEN FOR A PUBLIC HEARING <br /> TO DISCUSS AND SEEK PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CITY'S PROPOSED <br /> BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES FOR 2023. COUNCIL MEMBER <br /> SEILS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. <br /> Michael Czech, 3816 Wildlife Trail, Pequot Lakes handed out a list of <br /> suggestions to changes to the budget for 2023 He stated that with cost of living <br /> and inflation people have learned to tighten their belts in the past six to none <br /> months. He stated his suggested changes resulted in a $180,000 dollar reduction <br /> and it will bring the tax levy down about twelve percent. He discussed his past <br /> experience with budgeting and asked the City staff and Council to take his <br /> changes in consideration. Mr. Spiczka stated he has feedback on Mr. Czech's <br /> adjustments, but he would like to hear others talk first. <br /> Joel Thordson, 6285 Wilderness Road, stated he sent a letter and the Council <br /> acknowledged they received the letter. The Council also acknowledged the letter <br /> from Richard Weiblen, 6277 Wilderness Road. <br /> Pennie Newgard, 28878 Whitetailway stated it is bad year to raise their taxes one <br /> thousand dollars and said they have a budget like everyone else does. She <br /> stated gas prices and groceries are high and now they have to fight the local <br /> government on their taxes. She said the City has to cut something and can't keep <br /> taking from the honey pot. <br /> Steve Hamms, 6012 Inland Trails Road, stated their assessed value went up 31 <br /> 1,4 percent, proposed taxes went up 17.4% and an empty lot which is just swamp <br />